NEW DELHI: ?Foodistan?, the culinary battle between Indian and Pakistani chefs which commenced telecast on NDTV Good Times on 23 January, is to be telecast in Pakistan from 11 February.

While it is being telecast from Mondays to Wednesdays at 9.30 pm by NDTV Good Times, it will be telecast on Geo TV in Pakistan on Saturdays and Sundays at 7 pm (Pakistan Time). The programme is in English and a smattering of Hindi and Urdu.

NDTV Lifestyle CEO Smeeta Chakrabarti had earlier told indiantelevision.com that the channel had partnered with Geo Channel of Pakistan to get some shots from that country.

This Indo-Pak battle for culinary supremacy is featuring 16 professional chefs in 26 episodes, and their food preparations are being judged by a three-member jury comprising HT Media Editorial Director Vir Sanghvi who has won the Food Critic Award from the Indian Culinary Foundation; celebrity British chef Merrilees Parker, and Sonya Jehanis who is a Bollywood actress of Pakistan and French descent.

All the chefs ? eight each from India and Pakistan ? are already known for their work in various hotels in India and Pakistan. The series is presented by the well-known Aly Khan with Ira Dubey.

Talking about the tie-up with Geo TV, NDTV Lifestyle Vice President - Development Atul Seth said, ?Geo TV is the largest and most respected network in Pakistan hence we decided to partner with them for Foodistan. Very soon the show will be available for the viewers in Pakistan as well. NDTV Good Times? association with Geo TV has been great so far; right now it?s only about them showcasing our content but eventually we might look at a bigger partnership.?

Geo TV President Imran Aslam added, ?Both the countries, India and Pakistan have taste buds that have been nourished over the centuries, we share a common passion for the aroma, the exquisite texture, the palette of colours and the distinctive flavours of the dishes that adorn our dastarkhawn. From the humble street-side dhabas to the resplendent tables of the courts, our food, is always magical. Foodistan will allow half forgotten fragrances to waft across our borders as chefs from India and Pakistan cook up a storm. No matter how many chefs there are on the show, this is one broth, one bhujia, one curry that cannot be spoilt. We, in Pakistan and Geo TV are looking forward to a mouth watering menu which will be a feast for the eyes. Zor ka tarka pyar se!?

NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan have been traditional rivals, whether it was in hockey, cricket, or in the battlefield. And yet, the people of these two countries are closest to each other in their cultural and culinary practices.

Taking advantage of this, NDTV Good Times is launching a competition among the chefs of the two countries in a new series called ?Foodistan? from 23 January. The show will air every Monday to Wednesday from 9.30 pm.

This Indo-Pak battle for culinary supremacy will feature 15 professional chefs in 26 episodes, and their food preparations will be judged by a three-member jury comprising HT Media editorial director Vir Sanghvi; celebrity British chef Merrilees Parker, and Sonya Jehanis who is a Bollywood actress of Pakistan and French descent.

All the chefs - eight from India and seven from Pakistan - are already known for their work in various hotels in India and Pakistan. The series will be presented by the Aly Khan with Ira Dubey.

Sanghvi said this was the first reality show of its kind on any English television channel, and the most expensive show on NDTV Good Times.

He admitted that getting visas for the chefs from Pakistan had been a problem and had taken longer than expected.

Contrary to common perception, Pakistani food was not necessarily like Indian food, he said.

NDTV Lifestyle CEO Smeeta Chakrabarti told indiantelevision.com on the sidelines of the show launch announcement that the channel had partnered with Geo Channel of Pakistan to get some shots from that country. The programme is in English and a smattering of Hindi and Urdu.