Dress Up. Show Up. Eat Up.

We hate being labeled a Foodie. Its such a bad word these days! Its of little use to boast of the kind of food you like to eat or even talk of preparing such sumptuous meals where one can get a Foodgasm and revel in its glory. Without worrying, that is. But, that never happens. Not in the current times though.

Food is a bad word. It is something you should have in the bare minimum. That is the message mainstream health and wellness industry is giving us. And we are taking it. Apparently, photo-shopped images are enough for us to feel ugly and insecure.

Screw that. I have always been a foodie and despite repeated attempts by my own self as well as those of others, I refuse to be labeled anything but that. For me, food is God. I need to fill my stomach before love can come pouring out of my mouth. I spend my money on eating out, looking for good restaurants and cafes, no matter which city I visit.

Bhubaneswar, this once-upon-a-time sleepy town has metamorphosed into a happening city with multitudes of cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs opening at every nook and corner. I have spent the past few years scouting my city, looking for amazing places to eat. I adopt the same funda when I visit other cities too. It doesn't have to always come from a sophisticated, commercialized food joint. But, anything which speaks volumes about the culture of the place and satiates my taste buds is welcome.

Eastern India is the home of some of the best and often under-represented culinary habits and food culture. My city Bhubaneswar, my soul city Kolkata and my home state Bihar boast of rare and unique food culture practices which one can't find anywhere. With multiplex culture coming in, food joints have opened in abundance. But, are they all worth it?

How would you decide where to take your friends, family and relatives for some "ultra BBSR" sojourn?

And how would you differentiate between the taste they offer? You go there, you eat and above all, experiment.

Food, like human body, is to be loved. It is not to be detested and frowned upon because you don't look like the next hot thing in the movies.

Especially, in a country like ours, where millions go hungry, you are to worship it, like love. It is rare and doesn't come to every one.