It also takes a peek at the personal likes and dislikes of the Mughal emperors and how it has shaped the food habits in India.

The book showcases the splendour of the Mughal table through miniature paintings. Persian scholar and food connoisseur Salma Hussain works for the ITC Welcome Group as a food consultant.

'Pure and Simple: Homemade Indian Vegetarian Cuisine' by Vidhu Mittal compiles over 100 classic and contemporary vegetarian recipes. It also includes information on spices, vegetables and kitchen tools. Mittal is a culinary expert based in Bangalore.

The award was founded by Edouard Cointreau in 1995.