Foodie show: Video thrills the radio star

Popular Dubai radio presenter Kritika Rawat wants all her loyal listeners to become her loyal viewers as she launches her own TV show that goes on air tomorrow afternoon at 12.30 on Sony Entertainment Television.

Her first foray into the audio-visual medium, the theme of the weekly show is summed up in its title Eating Out.

Kritika, 27, the producer and scriptwriter of the show, insists it is not a cookery show.

"It is a show about great places to eat. The show comprises three segments. The first section features a food critic, and the second part features undiscovered dining options, the third section will take viewers into the kitchen of popular restaurants where chefs will show how to make their most popular dishes."

A self-confessed foodie, Kritika said that the subject of the half-hour show was a natural choice.

"Everyone eats out at some point or another. I'm a big foodie myself. I love eating. People in Dubai do three things on weekends – cinema, dining out and clubbing. Research for the show clearly indicated that eating out was by far the most popular option and there wasn't a TV show like this around."

The show will be hosted by fellow Dubai radio presenter Gaurav Tandon. "He was an easy choice because he is very funny and talking impromptu comes naturally to him," said Kritika.

For Gaurav, 27, it was the opportunity to bite into a new way of making money. "Some people eat to live, others live to eat and still others, like me, eat to make money. Even my parting shot in the show is: ‘If you like it, bite it'," said Gaurav, a popular name on radio.

Having recorded four episodes, Kritika admits that TV is more challenging and exciting than radio. However, she is quick to dismiss any suggestions that a TV show could mean giving up her career in radio. "Transition to TV is about growing and trying my hand at television. Radio has become second nature. When you feel like you can do a radio show in your sleep, it is time for a new challenge."