Recently, Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner to India, Nicholas McCaffrey, who started his tenure in December 2023, has become a fan of Indian cuisine, especially South Indian food. He took to his official X handle and shared a fun photograph of himself holding a vada in one hand and an idli in the other. Well, do you want to know which dish he prefers the most? Scroll down to find out.
Nicholas McCaffrey Shares His Love For Idli & Vada
As a seasoned diplomat, I refuse to take sides 🤝#Idli brings soft power. #Vada delivers hard crunch.
For lasting peace: eat both, and don’t forget the chutney.#Indianfood #IncredibleIndia pic.twitter.com/bifYfPiZwJ
— Nick McCaffrey (@AusDHCIndia) April 28, 2026
In the picture, his plate appears filled and completed with multiple servings and a trio of chutneys – coconut, chilli-onion-tomato, and coriander-coconut – adding colour and extra flavour. Sharing the picture, he subtly denied choosing anyone as his favourite. “As a seasoned diplomat, I refuse to take sides.” He further shared how it’s difficult for him to choose anyone, as for him, “Idli brings soft power. Vada delivers a hard crunch.” Not only this, but Nicholas also offered a balanced and neutral approach to enjoying both the dishes and writing, “For lasting peace: eat both, and don’t forget the chutney.”
Also Read: Mumbai, Get Ready! Bengaluru’s Iconic Rameshwaram Cafe Is Coming To Churchgate!
As soon as he posted the picture, it quickly became viral and attracted food lovers across India. All the South Indian cuisine lovers flooded the comments section with their own choices. One user wrote, “The battle has always been over sambhar, your highness.”
How Did Social Media React To It?
One dosa fan wrote, ‘Try dosa; it’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. You can eat it without chutney. It might even resolve all internal conflicts within the person eating it.” Another said, ‘The formula is always 2+1, and please don’t forget the sambaar.”
Also Read: 5 Facts You Must Know About The Rameshwaram Cafe Before You Visit Its New Mumbai Outlet
Another foodie wrote, “You need to drown the Idli and Vada in Sambhar. Without sambhar, you cannot float.”
The main question is, what would you pick? Idli or Vada? Let us know your choices.
Cover Image Courtesy: X/Nick McCaffrey
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Is idli healthier than roti?
Idli is often considered healthier than roti for weight loss and digestion due to being steamed, fermented, lower in calories, and easier to digest.
Who is Nick McCaffrey?
Nick McCaffrey is the Australia's Deputy High Commissioner to India.
Is it World Idli Day?
March 30 is celebrated as World Idli Day.