Hello it’s so good to be back on air. Took a little break — well not really a break I’ve been working but I took a few weeks off from this show to get inspired and bring renewed energy. And Wow! There’s so much going on and I’ve been eating - per usual and doing — also per usual  So take a virtual trip with me of where I have been before I bring on this week’s guest Monica Saigal

• Took a working vacation out of town and went to the Eastern Shore. Stayed at a lovely air bnb with a pool on the bay — total change of perspective! We cooked almost every night — you can see some of our feasts on insta. We did go to Ruse in St. Michaels — so impressed and really delicious
• Quick trip up to NYC to see the elephants marching — not live — but it feels like it. These magnificent 100 sculptures created in India are displayed throughout the Meatpacking District. It’s Fabulous as is the Play - Oh Mary! If you don’t know google it and then get tickets
• Dinner at Brescia. Some of the best hospitality in the city
• Dinner at St Anslems.  One of the best steaks — and biscuits — in the city. We sat with Greek winemaker, Angelos Latridis of Alpha MalaGouzia wines. Ate & drank.
• An EPIC — and I do mean EPIC meal at El Cielo — A multi-course/multi-sensory tasting menu featuring Colombian cuisine. There’s a reason for the Michelin star.

Okay that’s a glimpse into my eating, drinking and doing and now to today’s guest. I love when I bring on people that I have known since the beginning of my time in this industry. Monica Bhide — now

Monica Saigal — we both started covering the food scene at the same time. Monica had a day job but she was writing mesmerizing articles for The New York Times, Bon Appétit, The Washington Post, and NPR. She has always blended stories of food with culture and her personal connections. She is a prolific writer — cookbooks like Modern Spice and The Spice is right, novels like Karma & The Art of Butter Chicken and Inspirational books like In Conversation with Exceptional Women (which Monica was generous enough to include me in) she now has a new book, a children’s book Papa’s Butter Chicken.

Monica and I have truly not caught up in a bit. We are going to get personal and talk about her journey, her writing career and why everyone loves butter chicken!

Featured Guest:Monica SaigalTwitter:https://twitter.com/mbhideFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/monica.bhide1/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-saigal-bhide-57a43Website:https://monicabhide.comPortfolio: https://monicabhide.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Monica-Saigal-portfolio.pdfFeaturing Nycci Nellishttps://www.instagram.com/nyccinellis/https://www.thelistareyouonit.com/Produced by Heartcast Mediahttp://www.heartcastmedia.comTakeaways

• Personal Anecdotes and Culinary Traditions
• Festival and Community Support
• Recommendations and Cooking Preferences
• Personal Hardships and Resilience
• Immigrant Struggles and Career Choices
• Unfulfilled Calling and Career Shift

Quotes

"With effortless finesse, she uniquely intertwines tales of food with diverse cultures, transcending boundaries beyond own heritage." - Monica Saigal

"Facing the mirror in times of struggle demands embracing vulnerability." - Monica Saigal”

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
01:22 - Great Show Preview and Delicious Food Reviews
05:30 - Boston Visit: Family Time and Concert Fun
15:19 - Party Meetings and Radio Show Feature
15:58 - National Culinary and Cheerleading Success
24:41 - Navigating Culinary Challenges with Spousal Support
29:23 - Champion for LGBTQIA Rights and Drag Brunch Innovator
35:16 - Team Unity Overcoming Initial Leadership Hurdles
37:34 - Positive Kitchen Leadership and Enhanced Food Quality
46:13 - Emerging Chef National Award Victory
50:35 - Striving for Independence Amidst Family Dynamics
55:20 - Balancing Contributions in Restaurant Expertise
58:56 - Navigating Perceptions in Chinese Tapas Culinary
01:01:49 - Outro

Produced by Heart Cast Media
http://www.heartcastmedia.com