{{More citations needed|date=November 2012}} {{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}} {{Infobox television | image = <!-- include ALT text per [[WP:ALT]] guideline --> | caption = | alt_name = | genre = Food travelogue | creator = Monica Narula | based_on = | developer = | writer = | director = [[Abhinandan Sekhri]] | creative_director = | presenter = Rocky Singh, Mayur Sharma | narrator = | theme_music_composer = | open_theme = | end_theme = | composer = | country = India | language = English | num_seasons = <!-- or num_series --> | num_episodes = | list_episodes = | executive_producer = Monica Narula | producer = Prashant Sareen | editor = | location = | cinematography = | camera = | runtime = 22 min | company = | channel = [[NDTV Good Times]] | first_aired = {{Start date|df=yes|2007}} | last_aired = present<!-- {{End date|df=yes|2013}} --> | related = }}

'''''Highway on My Plate''''' (HOMP) was a weekly travel and food show that aired on [[NDTV Good Times]] between 2007 and 2013, and is now available on [[Amazon Prime Video]] or repeated on channels. It was anchored by food enthusiasts and childhood friends Rocky Singh and Mayur Sharma, who have together traveled more than 1,20,000 kilometres across the length and breadth of India over the course of seven years in search of memorable eating experiences. The show was [http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/eat-route/364359/ based on] [https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/nAjU8Yvr200PzxSDQx0xHP/On-the-menu.html NDTV Good Times' Head of Food Programming] Monica Narula's idea to showcase India's unique highway food and was directed by [[Abhinandan Sekhri]] and produced by Prashant Sareen, both of whom later co-founded the news critique website ''Newslaundry''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jaipurliteraturefestival.org/speaker/abhinandan-sekhri|title=Abhinandan Sekhri - Jaipur Literature Festival|date=17 September 2013|website=jaipurliteraturefestival.org/}}</ref><ref>''Highway on my Plate: The Indian Guide to Roadside Eating'', Random House India, December 2011. "Acknowledgements: Abhinandan Sekhri, our producer/director...Prashant Sareen sat stoically through it all."</ref> In November, 2013, Rocky Singh announced on Facebook that HOMP Hills was the last season and there will be no new episodes.

Over the years the show has garnered quite a fan following due to the natural chemistry and camaraderie between the two hosts as well as their 'will-eat-anything' attitude and genuine love for different sorts of food and their over-the-top and quirky sense of humour. The show won the 'Best Travel Show' at the Indian Telly Awards, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://goodtimes.ndtv.com/News_Details.aspx?SubcatDetails=Features,663 |title=NDTV Good Times, a winner all the way! |publisher=Goodtimes.ndtv.com |access-date=2012-11-06}}</ref> In 2011 the hosts came out with a book titled ''Highway on My Plate:The Indian Guide to Roadside Eating''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report_rocky-singh-and-mayur-sharma-write-about-roadside-eateries_1512088 |title=Rocky Singh and Mayur Sharma write about roadside eateries - Lifestyle - DNA |publisher=Dnaindia.com |date=2011-02-24 |access-date=2012-11-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/culinary-delicacies-at-roadside-eateries/754249/0 |title=culinary delicacies at roadside eateries - Travel and Tourism - Financial Express |publisher=financialexpress.com |date=2011-02-24 |access-date=2012-11-09}}</ref> which has been honoured at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2011 as the Best Celebrity Cook Book.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.medianewsline.com/news/117/ARTICLE/9162/2012-03-22.html |title='Highway on My Plate' wins Best Celebrity Cook Book at GWC Awards |publisher=Medianewsline.com |date=2012-03-22 |access-date=2012-11-06}}</ref>

==About the show== The show follows a regular format where the hosts (or "The Highwaymen", as they are affectionately referred to on their television website) travel to different food joints and eateries across the different states of India, mainly through the National Highways of India. The hosts show equal enthusiasm while visiting different eateries irrespective of their decor and ambience and are equally comfortable in road side dhabas and food stalls to family restaurants and five star hotels. Recently the hosts have started inviting suggestions from their fans about famous eating places which they might have missed out and cover these places as well as sharing a meal with fans who respond with suggestions. The hosts describe the food in great detail and never fail to notice and point out the little details that add character to the eatery. A unique feature of the show is its system of grading a restaurant on a scale of ten on different parameters such as food, service, ambience and sum up the above with a "value for money" rank also on a scale of ten. Restaurants that impress them are rewarded with customised menus and coasters. Mayur being a vegetarian often ends up getting a raw deal in restaurants specialising in non-vegetarian food, much to the amusement of co-host Rocky. Also unique is the "food-quote", a rhyming non-sensical limerick delivered by the hosts summing up their experiences of that particular episode. The show makes an effort to feature the traditional foods as well as the specialties of a particular place. Thus we get to check out [[Punjab]]'s legendary [[Kesar Da Dhaba]] famous for its parathas and kaali dal, the kachoris (called kachoras) from chawani Lal Halwai in [[Rajasthan]], the unique pootharekulu in [[Vijayawada]] or the kadam pickle served at Chaurasiya Dhaba, Khundra or the huge variety of chaat at Narayan Chaat Bhandar, [[Jhansi]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]].

The Season 9, which aired in 2011, starting 14 August in [[Meerut]], had the show visiting places recommended by the viewers,<ref>{{cite web | title = Highway on my plate launched with patriotic fervor| url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-17/tv/29895744_1_rocky-and-mayur-fans-meerut | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130518204030/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-17/tv/29895744_1_rocky-and-mayur-fans-meerut | archive-date = 18 May 2013 |date=17 August 2011| access-date = 2013-09-26| work = [[The Times of India]]}}</ref> later around Christmas the show travelled to [[Shillong]].<ref>{{cite news |title=In Shillong, Carols and Dohneiiong for Christmas |author=Rocky Singh |author2=Mayur Sharma |url=http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/26/in-shillong-carols-and-dohneiiong-for-christmas/ |newspaper=New York Times |date=26 December 2011 |access-date=26 September 2013}}</ref>

==HOMP Adda== The latest season of the show takes the Highwaymen to different canteens and dining halls of educational institutions across India is appropriately named '[[Adda (South Asian)|Adda]]', meaning an informal gathering or hangout of friends. Rocky Singh and Mayur Sharma visit various institutions over the course of the show. Among the institutions they visit Mumbai's [[H.R. College of Commerce and Economics]], [[Jai Hind College]], Delhi's [[Shri Ram College of Commerce]], [[Hindu College, University of Delhi]], [[Doon School]], Welham Girls & Boys School, [[St. George's College, Mussoorie]] and [[The Lawrence School, Sanawar]] are noteworthy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asianage.com/life-and-style/hunt-s-hot-addas-814|title=Hunt's on for hot addas|publisher=Asianage.com|access-date=2012-11-06}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> They have recently been to [[IIM Calcutta]] and the [[Presidency College, Kolkata]].

==About the hosts== Both Rocky Singh and Mayur Sharma hail from a military background. Rocky has held a number of jobs in the past, ranging from managing a gas distributorship to working with British Airways. He is also a wild-life enthusiast and among his passions are scuba diving, ornithology, golf and above all his food. Mayur has travelled and hitch-hiked his way across sixty five countries and is passionate about squash and rock-climbing. He now specializes in out-of-the-classroom education and assists children as well as corporates in developing inter-personal relationships and improving the productivity of group dynamics. The duo has also hosted two other shows on the channel NDTV Good Times, ''India's Most Haunted''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Television/India-s-Most-Haunted/Article1-696974.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126154609/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Television/India-s-Most-Haunted/Article1-696974.aspx |archive-date=26 November 2011 |title=India's Most Haunted? |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=2011-05-13 |access-date=2012-11-06}}</ref> and ''Jai Hind with Rocky and Mayur''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://defenceforumindia.com/forum/military-multimedia/8851-jai-hind-rocky-mayur-must-watch.html |title=Jai Hind With Rocky & Mayur (Must Watch!) |publisher=Defenceforumindia.com |date= 10 March 2010|access-date=2012-11-06}}</ref>

==Further reading== * ''Highway on My Plate: The Indian Guide To Roadside Eating'', by Rocky Singh, Mayur Sharma. 2010. Random House, India. {{ISBN|81-8400-136-3}}.

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *Highway on my Plate explores the uniquely Indian phenomenon of dhabas <ref>Highway on my Plate explores the uniquely Indian phenomenon of dhabas, while Chakh Le India is all about regional flavours, where the anchor Aditya Bal soaks in history and trivia, rediscovers old recipes and relives culinary delights. "Talking to the locals and eating with them gives a clear cut view of the food culture of that region which helps put up a better show," feels Bal.</ref>* * [http://goodtimes.ndtv.com/Ndtv-Show-Special.aspx?ID=262 Highway on My Plate, Official page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105091604/http://goodtimes.ndtv.com/Ndtv-Show-Special.aspx?ID=262 |date=5 November 2012 }} at [[NDTV Good Times]] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20130607041025/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2010/09/26/stories/2010092650060200.htm An interview with Rocky and Mayur] ''[[The Hindu]]''

[[Category:Food travelogue television series]] [[Category:NDTV Group]] [[Category:2005 Indian television series debuts]] [[Category:Indian cuisine]]