Got a relationship with food?
Yup. I almost became a chef! But my father, who was in the army, was a judgmental guy. And a Colonel's son couldn't become a cook! In any case I've always had a tendency to put on weight so it would be too dangerous for me to cook. However, my mother was working, so to keep my younger brother and myself fed I would cook. I think I'm still a better cook than my wife.

Really…
She goes by recipe books, measuring accurately, so her recipes may be perfect. But I go by instinct. I think the response to food is more emotional than rational. You must enjoy it, like a book or a work of art. It has to be felt, not rated. Which is why, I don't believe in the ratings of food critics!

How important is food?
It has always featured prominently in my life and my books. Once you get married, you cannot womanise. And I don't drink excessively, smoke or do drugs. So, where does the excitement come from? Good food!

What do you enjoy eating?
Everything I shouldn't be! I love bread, sweets, chocolates. I love intense food - with lots of masalas. The only subtle food I like is Japanese. I lived in Hong Kong for ten years, remember...

Restaurants you like…
I shifted to Mumbai two months ago, and love the vibe and authenticity of the smaller restaurants. I'm a middle-class guy and can't enjoy anything that doesn't give me value, even if I can afford it. I hate snobbish eateries. My choices so far: Brittania, Trishna, Samrat, Bade Miya, Crystal, Olympia, Leopold, Soul Fry. Among the fancier ones, Pure, Thai Pavilion and Kandahar and Dum Pukht in Delhi.

Do you drink?
Only wine. Indian men love whisky - I don't get it! My wife decided to cart 60 bottles from Hong Kong and after all the Customs hassles we discovered you get them here as well. Now I sit drinking it all by myself. Too good to share.

Your secret indulgence?
Three tablespoons of condensed milk, with one tablespoon of drinking chocolate smoothened in, and cropped cashews and raisins added. Such a stress buster!