Theater artist and film actor (Marigold and The President Is Coming) Ira Dubey is quite kicked about her NDTV Good Times international cook off Foodistan between 8 Indian and 8 Pakistani chefs which she anchors. “The competition is held over different levels and includes both team and individual rounds. We have three renowned judges i.e. Vir Sanghvi, eminent food critic, and gourmet at heart, Bollywood actress of French-Pakistani descent Sonya Jehan and popular British celebrity chef and presenter Merrilees Parker presiding over our show.” Ira also has Aly Khan as her co-anchor. “We have clear cut functions. While I am the floor anchor, Aly does the food commentary. We share a very good and teasing brother sister banter which lightens the atmosphere as well.” She says, “We are the link between the chefs-judges and the judges-audience.” How do you feel about the food genre? “Master Chef has become some sort of crazy phenomenon over the past few years and we have had a large number of food shows in its wake. Our show gives a platform to some deserving chefs who will otherwise never get a chance to showcase their talent.” She does not think that the niche platform of NDTV Good Times will affect the popularity of her show, “I know of many people who watch the channel. And at the end of the day this is about food, so chefs and people in the hotel business and even foodies will tune in for sure. And our biggest USP is the Indo- Pak element, everybody likes a good India- Pakistan competition whether it is the cricket field or in the kitchen.” Ira also did not like the word ‘reality show’ to describe the format as it entails a lot of other baggage: “Having said that, we also give you an insight into the person behind the chef coat, some of whom are quite dramatic as they go through the up’s and downs of the show.” Foodistan is not Ira’s first venture in television; before this she had hosted Chicks on Flicks on Sony Pix where she reviewed latest Hollywood movies. Ira a self confessed foodie says, “I can toss up a good meal. I love all kind of food be it desi or international. I hope I have picked a lot of knowledge regarding Pakistani grub while working with these talented chefs.” In closing, Ira last seen in Aisha says, “I expect Foodistan to become a big success and hope that it had a second season as well.”