Factual
TLC’s Vietnamese twist to French cuisine in ‘Luke Nguyen’s France’
MUMBAI: TLC presents a new series with acclaimed Australian-Vietnamese chef Luke Nguyen in Luke Nguyen’s France. Luke is back to continue his culinary adventures – this time, in France. Join him as he explores the land that has shaped the food of his native country.
Luke Nguyen’s France will premiere on 6 July, 2015 and will air every weekday at 8 pm only on TLC!
Luke’s journey commences in Paris, where he is helped by family and friends as he explores the Parisians’ intense passion for food, decadence and tradition. Then he heads east to witness the imposing medieval architecture of Strasbourg and the unique culinary customs of Alsace. In the dewy mountains of the Franche-Comté, he gets up, close and personal with chefs who have won Michelin stars, tastes dishes made from age-old recipes and uses local produce to create delicious food of his own – with his signature Vietnamese twist. From the very French steak tartare to Luke’s own succulent salt and pepper cuttlefish, it is an adventure of the senses packed with food, fun, and familiar faces.
In Lyon, Luke cooks alongside the country’s top chefs and home-cooks. He travels along France’s famed southern coastline from Nice to Biarritz and experiences the generosity of the locals as they not only open up their homes but also share their treasured family recipes. Luke’s journey will also take him through the iconic Loire Valley and later to Brittany where he enjoys French food heritage at its finest.
On his journeys, Luke will uncover the Gallic influences in Vietnamese cuisine and learn about the art of regional French cooking from locals he meets along the way.
Discover France’s diverse cuisine as Luke whips up tantalising dishes including classic recipes like melted goat’s cheese on sourdough and French-Vietnamese fusion cuisine. Join him as he unearths a whole new side to French food culture and lifestyle, matching culinary prowess with incredible local produce.
MUMBAI: India’s most famous hot seat is about to welcome an unlikely first-timer. For the first time on Hindi general entertainment television, industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla will appear on Kaun Banega Crorepati, the iconic quiz show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
The special episode marks a rare meeting point of boardroom heft and prime-time television, bringing one of India’s most influential business leaders face to face with the country’s most enduring screen legend. It is a crossover that blends intellect, leadership and popular culture, all under KBC’s familiar spotlight.
Birla’s appearance dovetails neatly with the show’s current theme, Jahaan Akal Hai, Wahan Akad Hai, which celebrates the confidence that comes from clarity of thought and knowledge. His presence lends weight to the idea that sharp thinking and conviction are as vital in life as they are in the quiz chair.
In a thoughtful conversation with Bachchan, Birla shared an upbeat view of India’s economic journey, pointing to the nation’s rapid growth and the scale of opportunity opening up across industries and communities. He spoke of momentum, ambition and a future shaped by enterprise and ideas.
The episode is not all serious talk. In lighter moments, Birla confessed his long-standing admiration for Bachchan, calling him his favourite actor and admitting to a touch of nervousness at answering questions in front of the Shahenshah himself. The candour adds a human touch to a man more often seen in headlines than on television sets.
The special episode airs on Monday, 29 December at 9.00 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.
