Abhay shares a wonderful conversation with Tejal Rao, the chief restaurant critic for the New York Times.  They chatted about her journey through food writing, discussing the nuances of restaurant reviews, the balance between nostalgia and new experiences, and the impact of her cultural identity on her work. Tejal reflected on food rituals, the challenges of writing reviews, and even the value of repeat dining experiences. She emphasized the need for authenticity in criticism and the role of personal experiences in shaping her perspective.

(0:00 - 2:28) Introduction
(2:28) Part 1 - food rituals, the art of the restaurant review
(13:02) Part 2 - defining excellence as a critic, nostalgia, cultural identity
(27:40) Part 3 - lessons learned, aspirational dinner
(37:52) Conclusion

Shout outs to the Indian National Women's Cricket Team and to my LA Dodgers for being world champions.
Thank you to the American South Asian Network for their terrific ongoing work in empowering and uniting.