Tina Datta: 'You do not find authentic Bengali food here in Mumbai & that's what I miss the most'

Actress Tina Datta may be living in Mumbai for the last couple of years now but she is a true-blue Kolkata girl at heart. And no points for guessing what she misses the most? "Food. That's all I keep craving. Authentic Kolkata cuisine is my weak-spot and I miss it. Nothing, or rather no one can cook Kolkata dishes like people from Kolkata. And that's why whenever my parents come to Mumbai, all I get my Mother to make is Maa ke haath ka Bengali khana. There are amazing restaurants here in Mumbai and some of them serve really great Bengali cuisine, but none can compare to the food in Kolkata and its appeal to the taste buds." 

Tina herself is a pretty decent cook. But she admits that she doesn't quite hit the mark when it comes to re-creating the authentic taste of Bengali food. She reveals, "Whenever I miss being in Kolkata and am unable to fly home, I turn to cooking Bengali dishes in my own kitchen. But nothing ever comes close to the essence of the dishes that Mom makes at home. The whole vibe of eating Bengali food, at home in Kolkata with my parents and brother, is always missing and I miss that the most." 

Evenings of Tina Datta's childhood, were spent strolling in her neighbourhood with her friends, gorging on street-food. Says Tina, "Eversince I've come to Mumbai, I love the street food here. But my bachpan ki yaadien consist of eating puchkas, Jhalmuri, Churmur, Telabhaja etc. A lot of street food in Kolkata and Mumbai is same, but the tastes obviously vary." She however is partial to the sweets of Kolkata. "No other state in India can even come close to the kid of sweets that we get in Kolkata. Its definitely the winner for me and anyone's sweet=tooth cravings," Tina believes.  

"I am a huge foodie and if you were to ask me to move cities again, I'd happily agree if there is good food around. Food is the way into my heart and my happy place. I will never get tired of experimenting with food and trying out new dishes but Kolkata food will always win the first place in my Bengali heart, " Tina concludes.