“I think you have to do what is kind of right for you and your soul,” says Palak Patel. In this episode, Lindsay Pinchuk talks with Palak, a culinary star who has made significant strides in the food industry. Palak shares her journey from leaving a stable corporate job to pursuing her passion for cooking, which led her to culinary school and eventually the Food Network. There, she competed on Chopped and emerged victorious, beat Bobby Flay, and became a finalist on Food Network Star Season 14.

Palak’s story highlights the impact of following your passion and the opportunities that arise from taking bold risks. She recounts key moments in her career, from her initial reluctance to compete on Chopped to how winning the show opened numerous doors. Despite setbacks like the pandemic disrupting her plans to open a restaurant in New York City’s Hudson Yards, Palak continues to grow and adapt.

Beyond her TV success, Palak is also an accomplished author. Her cookbook, “Food is Love: Plant-Based Indian-Inspired Recipes to Feel Joy and Connection,” reflects her deep connection to food and her cultural heritage. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity, staying true to one’s values, and building a personal brand that aligns with one’s beliefs.

This episode of Dear FoundHer… explores the challenges and rewards of being a public figure in the culinary world, the importance of community, and the impact of meaningful partnerships. Palak’s journey is a reminder that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams and that the experiences and setbacks along the way add depth to your story.

Quotes

• “Food is Love” represents the culmination of my entire relationship with food. When I began writing this book two years ago, I started to dig deep into what I wanted to bring to the cookbook. It is an extension of me and reflects the idea that food is one of the ultimate connectors in our lives—it’s been that way since the dawn of time. Food is a beautiful way to get to know someone and express how you feel.” (12:55 | Palak Patel)
• “Whenever I’m looking at partnerships or long-term engagements with brands, it’s definitely about alignment. It’s similar to selling a service: does this match my value system? Does the brand align with the things that are important to me? And do we have similar goals?” (16:39 | Palak Patel) 
• “Staying true to what you stand for and knowing what aligns with your guardrails and what falls outside of them is really important.” (19:30 | Palak Patel)

Connect with Palak Patel:

https://www.chefpalakpatel.com/

https://www.instagram.com/chefpalak/

Get on the Dear FoundHer... email list for more: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherfridays

Grab some time with Lindsay to build and grow your business. Set up a 1:1 Accelerator Call today: https://calendly.com/lindsaypinchuk/1-1-marketing-strategy-session-with-lindsay-pinchuk

Don't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk

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