Season 3 Episode 14: Palak Patel, Chef and Author

In this episode, I had the honor of talking to the acclaimed chef Palak Patel, who shared her culinary journey, from her early memories of cooking with family in India to her achievements on competitive cooking shows.

Introduction and Host's Favorite Dish

We started the episode with an intriguing question: "If there was a dish that somebody could cook for you that screams, 'I love you,' what would that be?" Chef Palak's answer was heartfelt and telling of her appreciation for handcrafted efforts: "Pasta, like handmade pasta. Just seeing someone roll dough, drying and cutting it, and stewing sauce makes me feel loved."

Meet Chef Palak Patel

Palak is a chef, media personality, and cookbook author of "Food is Love: Plant-Based Indian-Inspired Recipes to Feel Joy and Connection." With accolades that include winning Food Network's "Chopped" and "Beat Bobby Flay," Palak has firmly established herself in the culinary world. She has also been featured in Forbes and Huffington Post and is a TEDx speaker and chef at the Institute of Culinary Education.

Spicy Food Adventures

We dived into Palak's love for spicy food. Sharing her experience with a ghost pepper curry, she admitted it was an adventure she wouldn't likely repeat due to its intensity. Palak emphasized the importance of relishing the flavors of spicy dishes rather than treating it as a competitive act.

Nostalgic Dishes from Childhood

When asked about a dish that sparks pure nostalgia, Palak fondly recalled a simple lentil dish her mother made, blending lentils and rice into a comforting porridge. This dish is her comfort blanket, reminiscent of her childhood and mother's love.

The Journey to Becoming a Chef

Palak discussed her nonlinear career path. Initially pursuing pre-med, Palak shifted to business and marketing before finding her true passion in culinary arts. Through her diverse experiences, Palak gained invaluable skills in business and marketing, which she later applied to her culinary career, showcasing the importance of versatile skills in any profession.

Writing 'Food is Love'

Palak shared the inspiration behind her cookbook, "Food is Love." The title reflects her cultural background, where there is no direct translation for "I love you." The book became a way to express love through food and acts of service. Palak recounted the creative and challenging process of writing the cookbook, emphasizing the personal and familial connections that enriched the experience.

Choosing the Perfect Cover Photo

Selecting the cover photo for her cookbook was a meticulous process. After numerous iterations, Palak and her team settled on a stunning shot of cauliflower, which symbolized the book's vibrant and dynamic content.

The Competitive Spirit in Cooking Shows

Palak's journey in competitive cooking began unexpectedly. Though initially submitted without her knowledge, she excelled in the intense environment, winning shows like "Chopped" and "Beat Bobby Flay." Palak found that these competitions honed her skills and resilience.

Valuable Lessons from Competition Shows

Competing on "Food Network Star" was a transformative experience for Palak. The valuable media training, storytelling skills, and time management techniques she acquired were invaluable. Despite the sequestered and isolating nature of the competition, the growth and learning opportunities were immense.

Cooking for Influential Chefs and Creative Outlets

If given the chance to cook for Alice Waters, Palak would prepare traditional Indian dishes, like her mother's dal and porridge, to offer a unique culinary experience. She also showcased her creativity in making a butternut squash chutney, a sweet and spicy condiment with star anise and clove, illustrating her flair for spontaneous culinary creations.

How to Support Chef Palak

Follow Chef Palak on Instagram (@ChefPalak) and visit her website (Chef Palak Patel). Her cookbook, "Food is Love," is available on Amazon, Target, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, and at local bookstores. Supporting local indie bookstores significantly impacts the book-selling point system, so consider ordering from them.

We concluded the episode with gratitude to Chef Palak Patel for sharing her culinary journey and inspiring our audience. Be sure to check out her cookbook and follow her on Instagram for more culinary inspiration.

You can watch each episode, in its video version, on YouTube here.
Follow on Instagram for some behind the scenes and short form content here.
Listen to each episode as a podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.