The Sunday Sanctuary With Palak Patel
Palak Patel is a classically trained renowned chef, TV personality, TEDx speaker, creator of the first Curry Cube for BOU and chef at the Institute of Culinary Education. She’s one of the food industry’s newest and sassiest rising stars, gaining critical acclaim from victories in famed shows like Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay on Food Network. Most recently she made the TOP FOUR on season 14 of Food Network Star.
Born and raised in India, Palak grew up living with her extended fifteen-person family where cooking and eating together were part of her family DNA from a very young age. Palak has partnered with high profile brands like BMW, Barclays, Clif Bar, BOU Brand, Whole Foods and Hello Fresh. She has been featured on the TODAY show, Fox, Forbes, People, Women’s Health, Thrive Global, Mashable, Marie Claire, Los Angeles Times and India Abroad. Palak’s love of food and travel has taken her to over 50+ countries. She’s also a regular food and travel contributor to Table Magazine.
Palak started her career moonlighting as a personal chef in 2006 and later completed her initial training with the acclaimed Culinary Business Academy of the United States Personal Chef Institute in San Francisco. Palak eventually enrolled and earned her culinary degree from the prestigious International Culinary Center in New York. Upon graduating, she put her knives to work in the south of France to perfect her techniques. Most recently, she has created one-of-a-kind menus for several sold-out Dinner Lab supper clubs regaling food enthusiasts in Miami, San Francisco, Washington DC, New York, and Atlanta.
Palak’s commitment to philanthropy and volunteer efforts includes being a board member of Rescuing Leftover Cuisine (RLC), partnerships with New York City Food Bank, and Indian American Council (IAC). She’s helped raise over 100K for Project Sunshine. Palak also battled it out against 24 other seasoned chefs in the Sears Chef’s Challenge, winning $20K for Los Angeles Food Bank.
Q: What time do you wake up or does the alarm go off ?
A: Between 6-7, no alarm clock!
Q: What is your morning routine (specifically the first 15)
A: Read my 10 year vision and 30 minutes of meditation. I love to then make tea and listen to beautiful music.
Q: What is your Sunday mantra?
A: Relax and slowdown. At the end of the evening, I like to prepare for the next week.
Q: What’s your go to breakfast/brunch?
A: During the week I love oatmeal with oat milk, nuts, flaxseed powder, fresh berries. On the weekend my go to is scrambled jerk tofu, greens, and tea.
Q: Do you give yourself any Sunday self-care treatments?
A: I may do a clay mask from time to time.
Q: What song is a good representation of your Sunday?
A: Easy like Sunday morning :)
Q: How has your Sunday routine changed over the years?
A: No more hangovers or freaking out if I left my credit card at a bar. Now it's a clean face every morning and brushed teeth. Can’t ask for more!
Q: Do you exercise?
A: Not as much these days but getting back into hiking regularly due to Covid.
Q: Do you like to spend your Sunday alone or with family/friends?
A: I spend time hosting family dinners with my parents and brother + wife most Sundays.
Q: Do you use any apps or products for relaxation?
A: Just a good playlist on Spotify and cleaning the house.
Q: What is your ideal bedtime?
A: 10:30 and if I’m lucky 10pm. Yes, that’s me now.
Q: What are some of your favorite Sunday activities?
A: Going to the Farmers Market and buying up everything in sight.
Q: How do you prepare for the week ahead?
A: I keep a list of things on a yellow legal notepad with quadrants of personal, work, misc. to-dos and anything spiritual that needs my focus.