So where were we? Yes, the foodie argument (sorry, I got slightly distracted by the sight of that alu tikki - or ragda pattice as it is known in Bombay).

Who really is a foodie? Is it someone who likes to eat? who loves to eat? who lives to eat?

Or is it someone who just likes interesting food? Or that someone who will drive 25 km for that recommended biryani. Or kachori.

I asked wikipedia (when in doubt, wiki) and this is what I learn - Although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, foodies differ from gourmets in that gourmets are epicures of refined taste who may or may not be professionals in the food industry, whereas foodies are amateurs who simply love food for consumption, study, preparation, and news. Gourmets simply want to eat the best food, whereas foodies want to learn everything about food, both the best and the ordinary, and about the science, industry, and personalities surrounding food

By this definition, I am not a foodie, I am relieved to know. I don’t know what it is about that term but I am not comfortable being associated with it. I like food, sure but I may never walk that extra mile for that special snack (despite what I said earlier about sev puri - one makes rare exceptions). I am not even interested in learning about the science(!) of food - please understand that my most precious kitchen appliance is a pressure cooker - fill it, shut it, forget it - till the steam dies and it is safe to open it.

But, the visual appeal of food? There you have me. There is something about food that looks colourful and attractive. Whoever said “food needs to smell good, look good and taste good, in that order” will see me nodding briskly here, if he cares to look this way.

And this is how in one evening at Juhu beach, I turned foodie. Food voyeur is perhaps a better term?

And I bet you have no idea what those bottles are…

Golas, or chuskas as they are known in some parts… And you don’t have to be kids to enjoy it…

Then there is chaat - the aforementioned ragda pattice and sev puri, and samosa and pani puri…

Not to forget pav bhaaji… See the fingers fly. And try not to see the butter sizzle…

And look at who’s enjoying it…

On the shore, this vendor of fruit - and Vamsi striking a bargain with him (that is my bag he is holding)...

Wash it all down with kulfi-falooda… or even another gola…

And now tell me, who is a foodie? You or me?