Priyanka Naik better know as Chef Priyanka, is a self-taught Indian vegan cook. She is a Food Network champion (Cooks vs Cons Season 5 Episode 12 WINNER), Quibi Dishmantled Winner, and have travelled to nearly forty countries – all attributing to her culinary vision and original recipes!
She has been featured in CNN, GQ, and hosts an original show on Tastemade called Dish It Healthy, among several other brands, publications, and platforms.
Catch Chef Priyanka Naik in an exclusive interview with Namita Nayyar, President, Women Fitness, where she talks about Indian roots, diet, exercise routine and global recipes.
Namita Nayyar
A vegan cook, global traveler, TV personality, Food Network champion and Quibi Dishmantled Winner! According to you how would you define Priyanka & her journey as a chef?
Chef Priyanka
My journey can be defined only as “I got 99 problems, but a meal ain’t 1!” Ha ha! I only joke. My journey started over 10 years ago when I became vegetarian, full-time. I was always into cooking as much as I was into playing with cars and barbies at a young age.
Food and cooking have been an integral part of our family too – both my parents, especially my Mom, are excellent cooks. And since my sisters and I are first generation Indians living in NYC, food was a way to stay in touch with our culture. So I taught myself how to cook and when I became a full-time vegetarian, I stared www.chefpriyanka.com to share my original vegetarian recipes.
About 3+ years ago, I started cooking all vegan and maintain a primarily vegan lifestyle. My cooking journey has led me to become a Food Network Champion, Quibi Dishmantled Winner, Host of an original series on Tastemade Streaming Networking called “Dish It Healthy” plus much more. A part of my life that I attribute to my original recipes is travel. I have traveled to nearly 40 countries and hope to travel to several more. So, my journey is continuing on! I am in the process of writing my first cookbook!
Namita Nayyar
You have been featured in CNN, GQ, and host an original show on Tastemade called Dish It Healthy, among several other brands, publications, and platforms.
Share an insight into your journey of starting off as a chef to be recognized for your work globally?
Chef Priyanka
The battle is much greater for me to prove my “worth” so to speak, in the culinary world. So, I proved my worth through competing on nationally televised food competitions like Food Network’s Cooks vs Cons and won! But the journey isn’t easy – I was rejected 2 times by Food Network, prior to landing a spot-on Cooks vs Cons. Since then, the hustle continues. I hardly ever take no for an answer.
The reason why my food and platform is recognized globally is because my style of cooking is an “Indian Twist on Global Classics.” I aim to combine my cultural heritage with my learning from my global travel. So, these recipes and my stories have garnered attention by platform worldwide, because people feel a sense of connection and purpose with my food.
Namita Nayyar
Growing up your family made sure of inculcating healthy eating habits with your mom packing lunch for school every day that was Indian inspired spicy Bombay Sandwich, Frooti and Mango Juice with every night closing with a different fresh cooked meal. Reflecting how have those habits served you?
5 tips for moms to inculcate healthy eating and cooking habits in high-tech generation kids?
Chef Priyanka
My upbringing was surrounded by food and it taught me to appreciate where the food was coming from, how it was prepared, and why it’s so important not waste. But also, it built my palate – I was eating all different types of cuisine as a child – regional Indian cuisine, Italian, Mexican, Thai, Lebanese, [American] Chinese, and several more.
Parental Tips to Build healthy Eating Habits:
- Include them in your cooking process. Give them a task or two – it’ll engage them and push them to be curious and ask questions.
- Try to eat a different cuisine every day or every other day. So, if you make Indian parathas one evening, perhaps, turn those into Middle Eastern-inspired flatbreads the next day with za’atar, chickpeas, tomato, parsley, and tahini.
- Pick a new vegetable or two each week and experiment with dishes throughout the week – asking your kids to perhaps look up some recipes on their phone for those vegetables. Again, it’s that aspect of making them feel included in the process.
- Ask them what their favorite fast food is and instead of going out and buying it, recreate it at home. For instance, my 11-year-old (albeit phone-obsessed) niece was bugging us for Taco Bell. So instead I made “Taco Bell” at home and she absolutely loved it. It’s the idea of showing them that anything can be made and be made tastier and healthier if we just try.
- Lastly, and possibly the simplest, eat together. I have never eaten dinner alone if I’m under one roof with my family. We always at least coordinate our schedules so we’re in the kitchen together during dinner time.
Full Interview is Continued on Next Page
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2020 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar
“Twelve years ago, I became a full time vegetarian for environmental and ethical reasons that I realized what a gap there is in the food industry.” You have a vegan bent and benefits the same?
Chef Priyanka
Yes, I am vegan for environmental and ethical reasons. And most of my life – from my recipes (I cook all vegan and do not use/consume anything with palm oil), to what beauty products I use, my clothing, furniture, etc – is all animal free, sustainable, and ethically derived. These efforts help reverse many of the effects that humans have had on the earth.
Namita Nayyar
Your professional life is almost completely unrelated to cooking, but you are always able to find a way to connect the two. How do you go about balancing your passions, personal & professional life?
Chef Priyanka
Serious time management, organization, and prioritizing what is valuable to me. So, if that means missing a social event here or there or not eating out with my friends, those are the sacrifices I make to maintain the two careers.
And I am only OK doing that because I am passionate about both. Without passion, there isn’t drive.
Namita Nayyar
Food lovers need to keep a track to prevent unwanted weight gain. Your personal fitness routine?
Chef Priyanka
Minimal quantities. I certainly eat what I want and cook what I want, But I’ve always been a moderate and disciplined eater. I genuinely believe that you don’t savor the food if you’re stuffing your face. I also try to get a cardio and strength workouts 4-5 times a week.
With COVID it’s been very difficult, so I do HIIT cardio workouts, stretches, and strength sessions at home.
Namita Nayyar:
Diet routine you follow. Meals/day, foods you like to kick start your day with? Foods you keep to minimum.
Chef Priyanka
- I usually eat only 2 meals a day with snacks throughout.
- I always start my day with a light coffee with a splash of oat milk (dairy-free creamer) and room temperature water mixed with chia seeds & lemon.
- I eat a ton of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, but definitely love my carbs!
- I try to keep sweets and bread at a minimum – it is surely tough though!
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2020 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar
Your blog is filled with recipes from around the world.
Share 5 Chef Priyanka Special recipes for Diwali, Christmas & New year celebrations?
Chef Priyanka
I have so many recipes! This is tough. Here are some that I love:
- 3 of my vegan Cauliflower recipes that were featured on the TODAY Show (national day-time TV in the States)
- Diwali: Tostones Chaat – it’s actually a mix of Latin American and Indian and makes for the perfect, festive dish!
- Diwali: Vegan Grilled Cheese with Tikka Masala Dipping Sauce
- Christmas: Baked Pumpkin French Toast with Brown Sugar Caramel Drizzle. Absolutely perfect for Christmas morning!!
- New Years: Dark Chocolate Rose Tart with Cardamom & Sea Salt
Namita Nayyar
Your favorite meal?
Chef Priyanka
This is a hard question! I love so many things. But I would say my favorite is Ali Paak – a Maharashtrian street food dish made of moistened flattened rice, coriander, green chilies, coconut, ginger and peanuts, SO good!! Brings me right back to India.
Namita Nayyar
“My inspiration comes from my travels, my upbringing as a first-generation Indian, and seasonal produce.” Mantra you live by. Your inspirational role models?
Chef Priyanka:
Treat others – every living creature – as you want to be treated. My inspirational role models are my parents. They have taught me empathy, compassion, and most importantly, the importance of speaking my mind and working hard towards my goals.
Namita Nayyar:
Secret to that beautiful face, with nose ring? Skin & hair care tips straight from the kitchen?
Chef Priyanka
Haha! You are too kind! I think what people should remember is what you put in your body manifests on your body. I am primarily plant-based and cook all plant-based. I find that if I do consume dairy, it negatively affects my skin and mood. I try to eat 100% vegan on a day-to-day basis, but there are also a lot of things I consciously eat for my health – flax seeds, chia seeds, multi vitamins, tons of green vegetables and legumes.
I also watch my sodium intake, as that can be dehydrating and bad for your overall health and skin. I also stick to all-natural products – my haircare is minimal – I use all OGX coconut products, 100% pure unrefined coconut oil and 100% pure castor oil on my hair. I also only wash my hair once a week and have stopped dying my hair for over 5 years.
So the key is – a healthy food diet, natural products, and being kind to your skin, body, and hair.
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2020 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar
Your upcoming future projects?
Chef Priyanka:
I am working on my first cookbook – look out for it Fall 2021!
I have tons of new recipes coming out with some of my favorite vegan brands like Barilla, So Delicious and JUST Egg. And I just had a feature for Tastemade and Amazon Prime come out where I show viewers how to make my rendition of Indian Stuffed Eggplants!
Namita Nayyar:
A message for WF followers & your fans?
Chef Priyanka
Love yourself, food, and your body. Be conscious of what you put into your body, as it manifests on the outside. Be kind to yourself and others – treat every human and being on this earth as you would want to be treated.
Namita Nayyar
A word about Women Fitness.
Chef Priyanka
Thank you for empowering women to be their best selves!
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2020 Women Fitness