Press & Media
To read my published work, click here. If you would like to get in touch with me, please mail me. Thanking you… Ishita
On Radio
Dubai Eye 103.8FM - Afternoons with Helen Farmer | 9th January 2020 Listen to the podcast What is the last thing I ate? From Global Village to my favourite Omani chips sandwich, I share my UAE favourites. Dubai Eye 103.8FM - Afternoons with Helen Farmer | 17th September 2019 Listen to the podcast Chatting new destinations that may not be on your usual travel radar - Malta, Poland and more. Dubai Eye 103.8FM - Afternoons with Helen Farmer | 26th February 2019 Listen to the podcast New openings in Dubai, food trends and my culinary journeys while on travel. Pulse 95 Radio - Life Beats with Sally Mousa | 7th November 2018 Listen to the podcast Joining Sally Mousa on the studios along with Tanuka Gupta, clinical psychologist and wellness coach, also one of my closest friends, talking about Diwali beyond its festive aspect. Dubai Eye 103.8FM - Thursday Brunch | 2nd November 2017 Listen to the podcast We celebrated our food heroes with Sally Mousa and chefs Izu Ani and Silvena Rowe – both the personal and professional stories about our food heroes and heroines who have made an impact on how we cook, and how we eat. Dubai Eye 103.8FM - Dubai Today | 28th February 2017 Listen to the podcast We chatted with Suzanne Radford in the Eye on Health section as we talked about our #bringbackbalance campaign and the launch of FoodeMag's wellness category. It was quite fun with Tariq from Moti Roti giving us company as we went LIVE from Ibn Batuta Mall instead of a studio! Dubai Eye 103.8FM - Dubai Today | 31st December 2015 Listen to the podcast Dubai Eye: "ARN Reporter and foodie explorer Michelle Loxton recently went on a mission to find out about Bengali cuisine. The team behind this foodie night out was popular foodie blogger and editor Ishita Saha and Michelin star Chef Atul Kochhar. Michelle discovered just how much Bengali Chefs like to use mustard seeds and how Bengali chefs are the best pastry chefs in India. Dubai Eye 103.8FM - The Ticket | 28th September 2015 Listen to the podcast Joining Zahra Soar on the brand new segment of The Ticket... #amiyourtype? I am also joined in by my family (including the Z-Sisters and a few other biker friends who had accompanied us on our 10days road trip to Ladakh! This was pre-recorded at the Biker's Cafe, Jumeirah. Zahra also writes a brilliant recount of our trip... thanks very much! Read Zahra's story. Dubai Eye 103.8FM - The Travel Show | 7th April 2015 Listen to the podcast Part 1 Listen to the podcast Part 2 Joining another edition of foodie Tuesday with a focus on travelling with children - chatting with Mark Lloyd and Michelle Loxton. The Z-Sisters join me in the studio! Dubai Eye 103.8FM - The Travel Show | 31st March 2015 Listen to the podcast Joining the Travel team - Mark Lloyd of The Travel Show in Dubai Eye 103.8 FM and Michelle Loxton, as Debbie Rogers aka Coffee Cakes & Running and I talk about Food Trucks and the upcoming issue of FoodeMag dxb. Dubai Eye 103.8FM - The Travel Show | 10th March 2015 Listen to the podcast - Part 1 Joining the Travel team - Mark Lloyd of The Travel Show in Dubai Eye 103.8 FM and Michelle Loxton, as Debbie Rogers aka Coffee Cakes & Running and I talk about Inspirational Travel - Thailand, Mt Kilimanjaro and more. Listen to the podcast - Part2 We talk about Inspirational Recipes... Thai, Filipino recipes and more. Dubai Eye 103.8FM - The Travel Show | 17th February 2015 Listen to the podcast - Part 1 Joining the Travel team - Mark Lloyd of The Travel Show in Dubai Eye 103.8 FM and Michelle Loxton, as I talk about the trend of pop ups and food trucks in Dubai and Dubai Food Festival. Listen to the podcast - Part 2 I talk about the trend of food walks in Dubai and across the world, specially the walks that have been featured in February Issue of FoodeMag dxb. Dubai Eye 103.8FM - The Travel Show | 16th December 2014 Listen to the podcast - Part 1 Listen to the podcast - Part 2 Joining the travel team - Mark Lloyd of The Travel Show in Dubai Eye 103.8 FM, as I talk about Filipino food and Thai food and where it's available in Dubai. Dubai Eye 103.8FM - The Travel Show | 11th November 2014 Listen to the podcast Joining the travel team - Lucy Taylor and Mark Lloyd of The Travel Show in Dubai Eye 103.8 FM, as I talk about Thai food and contemporary Indian food and where it's available in Dubai. Dubai Eye 103.8FM - The Travel Show | 16th September 2014 Listen to the podcast Joining the travel team - Lucy Taylor and Mark Lloyd of The Travel Show in Dubai Eye 103.8 FM, as I talk about my passion for travel and the cuisines of Kolkata and Sri Lanka
Other podcasts
Frying Pan Diaries | April 2018 Listen to the podcast The brilliant sister duo Arva and Farida Ahmed from Frying Pan Adventures, Dubai's first food tour company, came home and we chat (and taste) Bengali food for their Frying Pan Diaries podcast on Bengali food. Read more in my blog. Dubai Wave Podcast, American University of Dubai | April 2017 Listen to the podcast Debbie and myself as part of Team FoodeMag join Maria Abi Hanna and Nadine Tayyara, Clinical Dietitians, Consultants, founders and editors of KeepEatReal to talk about the Dubai food scene.
On TV and other channels
Gulf News | March 2018 Watch the episode My thoughts in Gulf News on the essence of being a Bengali in the wake of the recent disturbances in Bengal. Read the full story in Gulf News. BBC Travel Show UK | November 2016 Watch the episode I had the honour of presenting Kolkata’s street food via the chaotic Dacres Lane to Benjamin Z and for the BBC Travel Show (the link above opens up to the Kolkata episode, starting at 15min15secs). Read more on our trip to Dacres Lane in my blog. Mela on SABC | May 2016 Watch the episode I join the gorgeous Zahirah Variawa as I introduce her to one of my favourite breakfast places in Old Dubai - the Creekside Cafe (starting at 2min16secs, more on Creekside Cafe in my blog). Do watch the episode as she juxtaposes Old Dubai against the glitzy new Dubai in this episode on Mela Travel. Zee Connect Zee TV ME | April 2016 Watch the episode Presenting the launch of Farzi Cafe Dubai (starting at 4min26secs) along with Debbie and Mr Zorawar Kalra, the son of legendary Jiggs Kalra and the founder of highly acclaimed restaurants such as Masala Library, Pa-pa-ya etc. Read more on the evening in FoodeMag website. Zee Connect Zee TV ME | December 2015 Watch the episode I had the honour of creating a traditional Bengali menu - the 'Noborotno' menu in collaboration with Michelin famed Chef Atul Kochhar and his protege Chef Amrish Sood at his Rang Mahal kitchen in JW Marriott Marquis Dubai (starting at 12min20secs). Do listen to the podcast too, on Dubai Eye 103.8 FM (scroll up for the link). 'Adda with Kalyan' in Indian Food Network | 17th November 2015 Watch the episode I chat with Kalyan Karmakar, international food blogger, food author, writer and IFN's Editor-At-Large to explore the world of regional food blogging (starts at 6:15secs) along with other food connoisseur. Zee Connect Zee TV ME | June 2014 Watch the episode I created a contemporary menu with all the nuances of traditional Bengali cuisine for the ‘Cook The Books’ in BookMunch, an unique monthly event where the host Chef talked about his/her cookbook or some recipes from their favourite cookbooks, followed by a dinner where the menu had been created by the host Chef (starting at 13min30secs). Read more in my blog. Ramadan Special video for Dima Sharif | July 2014 Watch the episode Dima Sharif has created a video in which I have opened up my Bengali kitchen and lay my soul bare with the dilemmas of expat living. Read more in my blog. UAE National Day Special for My Dubai My City | 2nd December 2012 Watch the episode I host an episode of 'This is my Kitchen', a segment in My Dubai My City, the first video guide of Dubai. BTW, I am not from 'Bangladesh' and I come from Bengal in India. Read more in my blog. Dubai One & Noor Dubai | August 2012 Watch the episode Showcasing the most famous of Bengali Sweets – the Rôshogolla or Rasgulla on local TV channels - Noor Dubai TV and Dubai One as a part of Ramadan special episodes. If this doesn't reflect the multi-cultural aspect of Dubai, what else will? Read more in my blog.
Awards, Shortlists, Listings & Nominations
• 6 Inspiring Travellers encouraging others to see the world by Ezvid Wiki, March 2020 •Top 200 Best Travel Blogs in the planet in 2017 by Feedspot, October 2017 • Top 10 UAE Food Blogs To Read Before You Travel by Skyscanner, April 2017 • 15 Influential travel bloggers in the UAE (2017) by Grafdom, March 2017 • Top 15 Foodies In Dubai You Need To Follow by Loving Dubai, October 2015 • 13 Websites That Make Moving to Dubai a Breeze by Expatriate Healthcare, September 2015 • Gold Award Winner in 2014 Expat Star Awards by MyCurrencyTransfer.com • Featured as one of the Middle Eastern Food Blogs To Check Out as part of the Best of the Blogs series by Fine Dining Lovers, March 2013 Shortlist & Nominations • BBC GoodFood ME Awards 2017, Shortlisted for 'Food Influencer' category • Masala! Awards 2017, Nominated for 'Best Blogger' category • BBC GoodFood ME Awards 2016, Shortlisted for 'Food Blogger' category • Ahlan! Awards 2016 The People's Choice Awards, Shortlisted for 'Best Blog' category • BBC GoodFood ME Awards 2015, Finalist for 'Best Food Blogger' category • Masala! Awards 2015, Nominated for 'Best Blogger' category • BBC GoodFood ME Awards 2014, Finalist under 'Best Food Blogger' category
In print
WKND Magazine, Khaleej Times | September 2017Read the article here. Debate: Should you turn vegetarian? I have been pitted against the lovely Sneha, food blogger and the founder of the bakeshop Sugaholic in the WKND magazine this time.
WKND Magazine, Khaleej Times | March 2017 Read the article here. All you wanted to know about the food blogging business model - I join the columnist and share my thoughts on why food bloggers should be remunerated.
Khaleej Times - Parent Talk | Summer 2016 Issue 7
Dubai Week | March 2015 Issue 4
Ahlan Gourmet | Decmeber 2014 'In the food world, Ishita B Saha is one of Dubai's food blogging elite'... describes Ahlan! Gourmet. Oh, what an ego up-lifter! More on Rasgulla in my blog - the history, the recipe and how I made Rasgulla on Dubai One TV, and a very popular post of mine - a fusion recipe - Rasgulla Macapuno!
SIAL Middle East supplement | November 2014
BBC GoodFood ME - Food Safari of Bengal | October 2014 My journey from childhood until now, a food safari of Bengal and recipes of Mustard Fish and Mishti Doi in the 7th Anniversary bumper issue of BBC GoodFood ME. Read more in my blog.
Ahlan Gourmet | February 2013 Luchi debuts in Ahlan! Gourmet, it's name and dignity intact, along with Kosha Mangsho and Polao and I'm one happy Bong foodie! Read more in my blog.
BBC GoodFood ME ‘Meet the Blogger’ | August 2012 Featured in the section ‘Meet the Blogger’ of BBC GoodFood Middle East. A few posts down the line, a few good blogger friends made down the way, a few inspiring bloggers to look up to, a few ups and downs and some moments of real high! Read more in my blog.
On the web
The National | 16th November 2017 Social media photo-sharing sites pushing chefs to produce wow-factor foods - I share my thoughts as the 'social media guru', not self proclaimed but according to the author, Stacie Overton Johnson! Do read the full story. Dubai Food Festival Food Trail | 2015 A few select bloggers put forward their top picks of the city’s restaurants across the four key themes of the 2015 edition, including me.
WKND Magazine, Khaleej Times | July 2013 In step with spirit - I share my thoughts as a non-Muslim expat in the UAE about the virtues of Ramadan: how the Holy Month’s spirit has been infectious, and how that’s made them better human beings. Beram & Tajine E-Magazine | 3rd December 2012The December edition of Beram & Tajine E-Magazine, the first Egyptian/Moroccan e-magazine in the Middle East, features my traditional Bengali sweet recipes. Assia from Assia Kitchen (Moments Culinaires) presents this beautiful 'International' issue.
Expats Blog Awards | 3rd December 2012 Interview in Expats Blog - From Kolkata to Dubai - Expat Interview With Ishita. Some of the comments left by the readers have made me go into an emotional topsy-turvy. Expat Echo | 15th October 2012 Interview in Expat Echo Dubai - Dubai expat Interview - Ishita Saha Theme Showcase Blog in Inuit theme in WordPress | July 2012 Chosen by WordPress as a Showcase blog for it's Inuit theme since July, 2012 with WordPress declaring the blog as one of the 'Awesome blogs using Inuit Types'. However, the Inuit theme has become defunct lately, and I have adopted a different theme since April 2016.
Elsewhere in the blogosphere
• Noborotno, the Bengali menu collaboration with Michelin famed chef Atul Kochhar and his protege Chef Amrish Sood in the Rang Mahal Kitchen is talked about by: My Custard Pie ; Foodiva ; Mita Ray ; Rajul Matkar; Dubai Eye 103.8 FM Blog • Zahra Soar, of Dubai Eye 103.8FM writes a brilliant recount of our 10 day road trip to Ladakh. Read more. • Francine Spiering, good friend and author of Life in a Food Lane, Editor of Edible Houston, mentions me as she reminisces her Dubai life. September 2015. Read more. • Prachi Grover, author of Orange Kitchens, features the Z-Sisters and myself in her new series Kids in the Kitchen: IshitaUnblogged, June 2015. Read more. • Kalyan Karmakar, author of Finely Chopped, comes home on his Dubai visit and features me very generously in his blog post, February 2015. Read more. • 15 Creative and Adventurous Dubai Bloggers You Should Know on Adewale Adeline • My Top Five Travel and Food Bloggers in Dubai by Myla Laurel, author of Find me a Break • Pankaj Adhikari catches me talking about my penchant for food, culture and my gastronomical journey in The Indian Diaspora and also in his blog, December 2014. Read more. • Featured in Dima Sharif's Ramadan special series of blog posts, where I talk about Bengali cuisine and the dilemmas of expat living. July 2014.Read more. • Featured in FoodieBlogroll’s Featured Blogs, 22nd June, 2012. Read the story in my blog. • Nominated for Food Stories' Excellence in Storytelling Award, May, 2012. Read the story in my blog. • Nominated for Food Stories' Excellence in Storytelling Award, July, 2012. Read the story in my blog.
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