India, April 27 -- I was excited, almost giddy-headed, for this was the closest that I got to my Masterchef moment for even though I am an avid follower of the Australian version. I have never met Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris even though they have visited India several times, for one reason or another. No, I had not created a dish which could put a Cordon Bleu chef to shame, rather I along with a group of 10 others was guessing the ingredients of a dish. Blindfolded. I was at Sorrento at Shangri-La's Eros Hotel where Chef Massimiliano Sperli was cooking for us.

The servers placed the dish in a spoon and helpfully guided our hands towards it since a beautiful turquoise silk scarf was tied over my eyes. I put the portion in my mouth ...