That is the verdict of top chef, Atul Kochhar, the only Indian chef to be awarded the coveted Michelin star. Kochhar says that London has an edge in the quality of Indian food simply because the quality of ingredients available here is far better than that available in India.

You get better quality meat, fish and vegetables in London than in India, he says. Kochhar is the head chef and owner of Benares - a quality Indian restaurant in Mayfair, central London.

"It's not because of lack of good skill, or lack of good spices, it's purely because of lack of excellent ingredients. India doesn't have excellent ingredients in terms of fish, meat or vegetables," he told newspersons.

India, he says, needs to reform and reorganise its farming industry so that consumers and caterers have stable and reliable access to fresh produce.

Kochhar is planning to return to India and open restaurants there, but his biggest worry however is getting a regular supply of fresh food.