An American foodie's quest for Kerala cuisine

Indian street food is becoming increasingly popular with tourists and Anthony Bourdain, host of Discovery Channel's culinary show No Reservations made a trip to Kerala to find out why.

Anthony Bourdain, the American author, chef and host of the Discovery Channel's culinary and cultural adventure programme No Reservations was in Kerala recently, checking out the state's unique cuisine and Keralite tastebuds.

Known for consuming exotic and daring ethnic dishes, Bourdain is famous for eating ant eggs in Mexico, sheep testicles in Morocco and a whole cobra in Vietnam. According to Bourdain, the most disgusting thing he has ever eaten is a Chicken McNugget and was pleased to note that there were no western fast food outlets in Kerala.

The inteprid food explorer who has visited nearly 90 countries has come to love the rich culture, history and cuisine of India. For the Kerala episode he traveled to Alappuzha and the Kuttanad area, sampling the backwaters cuisine. He experienced the hospitality of a local boatman and his family where he tried mussels and 'kappa'; a Kerala 'sadya' at another family home and spicy 'karimeen' and prawns at a toddy shop.

Speaking to rediff.com, the avid foodie said "I am not too crazy about toddy, but the food at the toddy shop was very flavoursome. I am also very impressed with the high standard of food in Kerala, especially the street food here,".

Bourdain also enjoyed home cooked puttu and meen curry with Mammooty, when he went to visit the movie star at the film set of his film Pokkiri Raja.

The Secretary of Kerala Tourism, Dr Venu said that it was wonderful to have such a high-profile television host championing street and home cooked food.

"By showcasing authentic Kerala food in the homes of ordinary people, Anthony Bourdain is also reaffirming that delicious food and hospitality is not just special to upscale restaurants and hotels, but is something that is customary throughout Kerala," he added

Dr Venu also added that increasing numbers of tourists are indulging their taste buds with local food when travelling abroad and culinary tourism is becoming more popular with holidaymakers, especially the British, French and Americans.

Spain, Italy and France are the most well-known destinations for prospective gourmets, while long haul destinations including India, China and Thailand are getting to be increasingly popular. Recent research by World Travel Market found that 86 per cent of travelers from the UK enjoy local food while abroad, with 83 per cent willing to miss meals in hotels and resorts to venture out and find local cuisine in restaurants and homestays.

The Kerala episode of No Reservations will air in the US on the Travel Channel in July 2010. It will air on Discovery Travel & Living around the world following that.