India, Sept. 5 -- When 36-year-old Akash Saini moved from Delhi to Gurugram in 2010, the Millennium City was still in the making. Wide stretches of open land were giving way to high-rises, and the local food scenario was starting to change. Saini, who had spent 16 years in the food business, chose to start a restaurant in Sector 45.

"Food is meant to be eaten fresh off the flame, right at the table," Saini said. "When you pack hot food into plastic boxes and send it on the back of a bike, the soul of the dish is lost. The crispness fades, gravies turn heavy, and you lose the true flavour. Convenience came in, but it pushed aside the warmth of a proper dinner out."

According to Saini, the rush brought by food delivery apps is sceptical. ...