Bespiced

Good Things Take Time.

That message followed me all through Napa last week.

Still processing the magic of the inaugural Food is Life, Food is Health Summit hosted by .med and ✨

A room filled with chefs, physicians, dietitians, researchers, sustainability leaders, educators, and food systems leaders from across the country, all coming together around one shared belief: that the future of personal and planetary health depends on how we grow, cook, share, and understand food.

I had the honor of leading a sold out kitchen session centered around Indian culinary traditions, pulses, spices, plant diversity, and practical nourishment. The conversations that followed throughout the week were the real gift. So many meaningful connections, thoughtful exchanges, shared meals, and people doing deeply inspiring work across healthcare, food systems, education, and media.

Huge gratitude to - Kristen Rasmussen, RD extraordinaire, who along with the incredible leadership team including , , and others, shaped such a thoughtful and deeply collaborative gathering. You could feel the care, intention, and warmth behind every detail and every conversation.

It was also deeply meaningful to be part of conversations around culturally relevant health and culinary communication alongside and , moderated by 🫶🏽

And the author signing? Completely overwhelming in the best possible way. We sold Dal Chawal way more than one book a minute during the one hour signing session. I still cannot believe how many people showed up with such genuine enthusiasm for Dal Chawal and the power of rooted food traditions.

The morning the summit began, I received the surreal news that Dal Chawal had been nominated for a 2026 James Beard Award. The universe has a way with timing. It truly could not have picked a more meaningful place for me to receive this news. I spent the entire week surrounded by warmth, generosity, encouragement, and people who made me feel deeply seen in this work.

Still taking it all in. 🌿

2026 James Beard Award Nominee
Vegetable-Focused Category
✨🧿 Dal Chawal ✨🧿

Dal Chawal is an emotion for billions of Indians around the world. It is the bowl that raises us, the one we return to in joy and in grief, the meal that holds the love of every mother and grandmother who came before us, the one that tastes like every kitchen we have ever loved. To carry this humble bowl to a national stage, and to see it celebrated here, is such a special honor of my life.

So grateful to the for recognizing this work, and to the entire team for trusting Dal Chawal from our very first conversation. To , for walking with me through every step. And to every friend, colleague, reader, and most of all my family and my kids, who have cheered me on through this journey, your belief is woven into these pages.

Such an emotional and surreal day. Didn’t think Chicago was part of my travel plans this year. ✨