Highway on my plate

Rocky and Mayur start at the foothills of the Himalayas at the Jim Corbett National Park. While tiger sightings are few and far between, food is apparently not. It comes in different forms - from a desi dinner at a resort enjoyed to the sounds of a babbling brook, to a homemade meal at the home of a park employee and everything in between.

Rocky and Mayur are taking big bites on their journey through Uttarakhand. They start their food adventure in Kathgodam. Blessings from Shitala Devi send our intrepid guides to Lee's Kitchen where an Indian-Chinese meal awaits! A belly full of desi-spiced Manchurian and a lesson in noodle making before heading on to Bhimtal; Rocky and Mayur are all set to dazzle their taste buds.

Rocky and Mayur travel further up the mountains of Uttarakhand. After an auspicious start to their journey at Kainchidham, they head off for a meal with a fine view. Their next stop is for "pahadi food" which includes a mix of Almora specialties. Rejuvenated, they move higher up the hills and satiate their sweet tooth. They end their journey with a sweet delicacy which is unique to Almora.

Rocky and Mayur have landed in the small town of Ranikhet on this episode of HOMP Hills. They find a hole-in-the-wall called Prem restaurant and try its famous mutton chops. After devouring the sapid fare they visit - The Café and eat a hearty breakfast and suddenly, they find themselves Switzerland. After visiting a shawl factory they end their journey at the tea gardens of Uttarakhand.

Rocky and Mayur heads towards the town of Kasauni. Here they discover that home-stays offer the best of local cuisine, so they stop at Jhaltola where they try mint chicken and kappa (saag). Then our foodie duo head off to Patal Bhuvneshwar. From the depths of the underground temple to the heights of Abbott Mount, Rocky and Mayur feel like they have been transported to a European hill station.

Rocky and Mayur are now off to Himachal Pradesh. They start their food adventures in Pragpur. Their first stop is at Judge's Court where they "witness" the best of Kangra cuisine. They continue their journey to Jwalamukhi temple. Here our foodie friends, along with the thousands of devotees who flock the temple everyday, sit down for a hot langar meal, a simple yet memorable experience!

Rocky and Mayur make their way to McLeodganj. It's a Sunday and what better start than at a church! And since food is our hungry duo's religion, they've decided to feast at Moonpeak Thali & Cafe . Mayur discovers the meaning of organic food & samples a spicy watermelon curry, while Rocky attacks a mango chicken and a tandoori trout, ending on a sweet note with delicious cake at Chocolate Log.

Rocky and Mayur are travelling up State Highway 7 in search of some more fun food adventures in Himachal. Since eateries are few on the route, they decide to make a stop at a tea gardens for a taste of some local Kangra cuisine. At lunch they meet the "Katrina Kaif of all rice". And they discover the best way to wash down a big meal - a cup of tea, brewed fresh at the tea estate itself.

Rocky and Mayur continue feasting on their journey to Himachal. This time along with some delicious food, they are having a side order of art as well - in the tiny village of Gunehr, where they get a chance to meet artists from around the world. Along with a home cooked meal at the Four Tables Restaurant, our foodie travellers also take a tour of a pickle, jam and fruit wine factory.

Rocky and Mayur "bee"-gin their journey at an apiary in Katrain, where not only do they learn about bee-keeping, but also understand how living in India is very similar to life in the hive. Next, they stop to smell the roses at the Rose Garden in Vashisht, as well as bite into some authentic Italian dishes and they continue their adventures in the hills of Himachal.

The Himachal hills continue to beckon our intrepid travellers to try the best of what's on offer. This time Rocky and Mayur start their journey in Kullu, known for its warm shawls and furry Angora rabbits who make some of the softest wool in the world.

From the 60 year old channa-infused goodness of Sitaram and Son's to the sweet doodh-jalebi & savoury pav bhaji that crossed a century of service at Mehru's on the streets of Shimla, our gourmand guides try it all. They also taste food at Shimla's one of the new eateries catering to the younger generation - Wake and Bake, which offers everything from hummus and pita bread to crepes and pizzas.

Rocky and Mayur are on their way to Chail, the Maharaja of Patiala's summer capital. But before they head towards their royal repast, they are making a stop in the tiny village of Junedghat, which has a small population but a really big appetite. And at Sharma Vaishno Dhaba they try the "best dhaba food in Himachal".