Close to 20 years of Outlook yes, but the magazine has changed. What was earlier just about politics has now expanded to include more, though there is still quite a bit that goes unnoticed by Outlook. Print publications hold a special place in a reader’s heart. They are capable of engaging them for a longer period of time, and as a foremost print magazine, Outlook should diversify and try to hook its readers more. Outlook is good at picking up from headlines. It has great pieces on the latest bits of news but it needs to prolong the memory of a reader who is constantly being fed information, with more detailed coverage, hitting spots that not everyone would find. For example, a nice coverage on the beef ban and the difficulties it has caused the restaurant business. Follow-up stories are something I miss too. You are following the news but perhaps looking back at stories you’ve done earlier and revisiting them would be nice, too. Food is one big gap in Outlook. It is a big industry and a large part of our focus should be on it. Perhaps a New York Times-style food review may help. An anonymous tasting where the reporter pays for his own meal and later gives judgement. I’ve never heard anyone in the industry speak about Outlook’s restaurant reviews, so do they at all hold any significance for one looking for a critical judgement on a restaurant?
Manish Mehrotra, Corporate chef at Indian Accent and winner of Best Chef of India award by American Express, and the Vir Sanghvi Award.
Outlook invites readers to take part in its 20th anniversary celebrations. Send us your bouquets and, more importantly, your brickbats. E-mail your entry to editor [AT] outlookindia [DOT] com
