Cuisine and culture always complement each other. Discovery Travel & Living is hosting a special Planet Food show today, from 8 p.m. by popular food writer and model, Padma Lakshmi, who takes the viewer on a culinary journey through various regions of the world renowned for the richness and diversity of their food.

In the 60-minute episode Padma guides viewers through the rich traditional cuisines of various countries and how it is intertwined with the culture of the place including the traditional Hyderabadi biryani.

Tracking down the history, geography, climate and economy of the different regions of the country, which are reflected in the diet of its people, Padma gives viewers the access to an array of unique recipes like the Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR) - one of the most popular south Indian vegetarian restaurants from Karnataka.

Known for both quality and its purity, the video vividly captures the traditional cooking and one get a sense of the delicious smell wafting through the huge kitchen where a staff of over 75 are engaged in making over two lakh masala dosas every day.

She then moves on to Bangalore's Russell fresh fruit market - the place highly popular for some of the best fresh fruits and vegetables in the entire south India. After her sojourn in Bangalore, Padma travels to Cochin famous for its spicy seafood recipes and coconut-based dishes.

From the Phoenicians to Romans, Arabs and Chinese all came to Cochin for spices long before Vasco de Gama led the Portuguese to India in 1498. Padma Lakshmi reveals the authentic spicy coconut based seafood preparations, the taste of which remains in your palate forever.

The internationally renowned food writer also touches down in Mangalore to learn about the humble rasam - a tomato broth with yellow lentils, tamarind and asafoetida. After the dish starts boiling curry leaves and some fresh coriander leaves are added. Yum! That really tastes, good, isn't it?