KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER
'No Reservations' to feature Kerala delicacies
Anthony Bourdain, celebrated American author, chef and host of Discovery Channel's culinary and cultural adventure program 'No Reservations' was in Kerala recently checking out the state's unique cuisine and Keralite taste buds.
Known for sampling exotic and daring ethnic dishes, Bourdain was pleased to note that there were no western fast food outlets in Kerala. The intrepid 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 backwater 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. Bourdain says; "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 Malayalam cine star Mammootty, whom he met at a location of his film shoot.
The Secretary Kerala Tourism, Dr. Venu. V., 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."
The Kerala episode of 'No Reservations' will air in the U.S. on the Travel Channel in July 2010. It will air on the Discovery Travel & Living channel around the world following that.
