Keep it hot ‘n’ spicy!

Their philosophy is inspired by Oscar Wilde: ‘Life isn’t measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.’ Aditya Hitkari and his  wife Divya Palat are almost travelling gourmands, visiting at least three countries a year.

“You know, we hear people saying live each day like your last but that doesn’t really happen,” starts Divya, who hosted the Seagrams Nine Hills DNA After Hrs Food Awards last night, “Aditya and I would rather spend each moment like it was our best.”

That philosophy extends to work as well —they are currently busy with their new play, A Personal War, based on the testimonies of seven survivors of the Mumbai terror attacks, which they plan to stage in Edinburgh this August. “I want to put across that it doesn’t take a near-death experience to make you want to do a re-think of life,” says Divya.

Their own taste for the good life comes from their penchant to explore food, life and work — “In that order,” they admit. While they enjoy eating out, Sundays translate into a laid-back meal and see Divya dishing up everything from dosas, to stuffed mushrooms, Aditya’s favourite grilled fish fillets and chicken makhani.

“We like it hot and spicy. I just love to cook long, luxurious meals. Since I’m normally so stressed out, it’s really therapeutic,” she smiles.

As for travel, Divya recounts that on their last anniversary Aditya planned a special menu in Australia which they relished after a jumping off a plane! During a recent trip to Goa, Divya came home and recreated the prawn balchao they had there — with success.

“Just wiped clean off the plate,” she laughs. They’ll be on a voyage again on July 1. “It’s a birthday surprise for Aditya. But as foodies, I know we can’t go wrong.”