Face Off

So, what is Karen up to in Pune?
quot;Pune keeps your sanity,quot; she says. But she is still very involved in Mumbai. Not only is she the Food Editor at Elle, she also runs a catering business. An indefatigable foodie, she has now opened her very own deli at Napean Sea Road.

Napean Sea Road, how posh?
Well, her food is rather posh and suits her address. She does pates, quiches, Mediterranean delicacies, cheese, pastas and bread. These goodies are all available at a close friend8217;s shop 8212; Contemporary Arts and Crafts.

How did she become a foodie?
Karen was always interested in food even while studying in England where she is originally from and Paris. Then, at 23, she came to India where she met and married Gul. quot;It was not love at first sight but it was quick,quot; she says. India became home and Karen found that life with a film producer meant an endless series of entertaining. Soon she started doing all the cooking for his parties and Karen8217;s food was always the toast of the evening.

But aren8217;t most wives expected to be good cooks?
Yes. But Karen8217;s food was different as it had a phirang twist to it. Anyway her food was such a hit that she decided to open a salad bar at Nelson8217;s Piano Bar.

And then she and hubbie, Gul, wrote a guide to 200 of India best eateries. And Karen insists that they ate at every single restaurant mentioned in the book. quot;We actually ate at 400 places over two years.quot;

With all this wining and dining how does she keep her skin glowing and her figure intact?
quot;I eat simple food at home where I stick to soups and salads.quot; Not quite what you would expect from a gourmet but Karen really loves her veggies. However, this formula does not always work as she has put on seven pounds in the last year.

As a food expert, what does Karen think of all the foodies that seem to be mushrooming?
quot;There are a lot of people who write about food who really do not know much about it. You need to have your heart and soul in food and you have to be able to cook yourself.quot;

So, her heart and soul is in food?
She says she has a message that she wants to spread. quot;I am not selling fast food. I am creating good food.quot;

Does this masterchef have a masterplan to help her?
Sort of. She is writing another book , this time for Harper Collins on lean Indian cuisine. She also appears on Star Plus for a show called the Good Food Guide.

Does she enjoy cooking in front of the camera?
You bet! quot;I8217;m a show-off basically. But the main thing is that it helps me spread my message.quot;

Karen is not all cook and no play8230;
She is also a mother who wants to spend more time with herself and her kids. quot;The last two years have been hard. I now want to be hassle free.quot;

What about returning home to her roots 8212; England?
Though Karen8217;s parents are there 8212; and she even had an offer to open a restaurant 8212; she is here to stay. Karen feels that she has found something good here. quot;I have built a name, it would be silly to leave now.quot;

A rather practical approach!
quot;I know how to be practical.quot; Even then she does have a few problems handling the finance and marketing side of her food business. She says that Gul handled most of that when they were together. But luckily, she has a man in her life and he helps out withthat perplexing side of money.

What is this gourmet guide most likely to say?
quot;Absolutely no problem.quot;

And least likely to say?
quot;I cannot do it.quot;