India, July 30 -- Do you feel sometimes that kitchens are getting unnecessarily adventurous? That chefs have begun to use ingredients and techniques that don't really improve their food but just make them feel bold and inventive? And that none of this is actually done for the benefit of the consumer?

Well, if you do feel this way then I am right there with you. So this week I am going to share with you some food trends I absolutely loathe.

The saying goes that there is no smoke without fire. But in our times we have to change it to say that there is no smokiness in the food without an insecure chef in the kitchen who thinks he needs some sort of gimmick to improve every dish. Why else would someone spend top dollar on buying, say, chuto...