Season 3 Episode 10: Vasudha Viswanath, V8Well
In this episode, we dive into a conversation with Vasudha Viswanath, the creator behind We Ate Well. Vasudha, a former Wall Street exec turned culinary queen, shares her journey from finance to flavor.
The Spice of Life
Vasudha shed light on the interesting culinary feedback she received from her international audience. Terminology differences were just the tip of the iceberg. For instance, a "loaf pan" in the U.S. is a "tin" in the U.K., and the humble zucchini is known as "courgette." These differences, along with others like "cilantro" vs. "coriander," made Vasudha realize the importance of catering to a global palate.
Cooking with Precision: The Recipe for Success
Vasudha's cookbook, The Vegetarian Reset, offers a unique blend of Indian flavors and fusion recipes. She shared an anecdote about her "Saag Lasagna," which uses traditional Saag Paneer sauce layered with ricotta and zucchini slices instead of pasta. It's a dish that perfectly encapsulates her approach to cooking—delicious with a side of health.
Crafting the Perfect Cookbook: A Balancing Act
Switching from Wall Street to the kitchen wasn’t just about changing her career; it was about channeling her strategic skills into a new domain. Vasudha explained how she meticulously planned her cookbook project, hiring freelancers for photography, editing, and design while managing deadlines. Her project management skills from Wall Street played a crucial role in turning her vision into a reality.
The Art of International Recipe Testing
Vasudha had recipe testers from the U.S., U.K., Australia, and India. These testers helped her fine-tune her recipes to meet different taste preferences and measurement standards. She included metric measurements in her recipes to ensure precision and catered to the diverse palates of her international audience.
The Hybrid Publishing Journey
Vasudha opted for a hybrid publishing model to bring her cookbook to life. This approach balanced the creative control of self-publishing with the distribution prowess of traditional publishing. This gave her the best of both worlds, allowing her book to be available in major retailers like Barnes & Noble and various indie bookstores.
Cooking Tips: The Secret Ingredient is Love
When asked for her best cooking hack, Vasudha kept it simple: get in the kitchen and enjoy it. Cooking, she believes, should be a joyful experience. It's not just about sustenance; it's about creating a connection with your food. So, cook with love, and your dishes will taste even better.
Stay Connected with Vasudha
You can follow Vasudha on Instagram and Facebook at V8WELL. She’s also active on her Substack newsletter platform, V8Well.com, where you can get in touch with her directly.
For those interested in diving deeper into Vasudha’s world of vibrant vegetarian cooking, be sure to check out her cookbook, The Vegetarian Reset.
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