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 was 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 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.

TV appearances:

• The TODAY Show – Chicken Biryani
• FOX 5 Good Day Atlanta – Spring Salad under $10.00
• Marie Clair “The Fix” – How To Spice Up Holiday Meals & Cocktails 
• Mashable – How to Overhaul Your Personal Brand 
• Food Network – Beat Bobby Flay; Winner; Only in New York
• Food Network Chopped; Winner; Episode: Big Fish Little Basket
• Food Network – Rewrapped; Appearance; Episode: Lay’s It all on the Line
• Bravo – Blood, Sweat & Heels; Guest Chef; Episode: May. 2013
• ABC 7 Chicago – Sears Chef Challenge; Chef Contestant; July. 2010
• CBS San Francisco – Eye on the Bay; Featured Chef; Episode: Outsource life

 Notable accomplishments and Press coverage:

• Featured Chef for Hello Fresh US
• Wine Enthusiast Chef Competitor – “1st Annual French Fry Event”
• Contributor to “GoodIndiangirl.com”

• Ger-Nis Culinary Instructor
• India Abroad – Article
• Los Angeles Times – Press coverage for Sears Chef Challenge contestants
• Foodie Pleasure – Interview post Chopped win
• Carménère & Curry  – Featured chef