India's Bhindi: A Romp Through Okraland: We speak with long time food writer, Rushina Munshaw Ghildiyal, who gives us a mouthwatering overview of okra across India. Rushina’s interview is a fantastic glimpse into the diversity on offer. After Rushina we speak with two chefs in India who both bring a creative, experimental eye to a traditional food. Executive chef, Vidit Aren, shares his personal journey with okra and some okra research and development at the Mumbai restaurant, Slink and Bardot. And then Rachel Goenka, award winning restauranteur, chef and author, shares her solution to having too much okra!

Rushina Munshaw Ghildiyal: A culinary expert, writer and consultant. Rushina focuses on food history and stories around ingredients, cuisines, and the people who cook them. In 2013 she published A Pinch of this, A Handful of thatand continues to keep an amazing food blog. Here is a link to her Spice Chronicles project on Instagram.  Follow her on Instagram.

Chef Vidit Aren: Executive Chef at Slink and Bardot and recently awarded 40 under 40 in Condé nast list of chefs pan India. Aren's journey through the culinary world has shaped him into a razor-sharp chef with boundless energy and a drive for innovation. Follow him on Instagram.

Rachel Goenka: A Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef who took her culinary and patisserie training back to Mumbai and has since opened multiple award winning restaurants and eateries in India as the founder and CEO of The Chocolate Spoon Company.She is described as contemporary and creative and experimental, and has written an award winning book, Adventures in Mithai, which is a cookbook exploring international techniques to create luscious delicacies. Follow her on Instagram.

We hope you enjoyed the music outtakes from, The Okra Song, courtesy of Hot Tamale.

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Your Co-hosts

Chris Smith is a seed saver and permaculturist who loves to write. He is executive director of the Utopian Seed Project, a crop-trialing non-profit working to celebrate food and farming. His book, The Whole Okra, won a James Beard Foundation Award in 2020. More info at blueandyellowmakes.com and utopianseed.org or on Instagram.

Rebekka White is an okrapreneur, artist, and lifelong learner. She believes in planting seeds and growing visions. Her work is committed to building a village that respects and values the contributions of all its inhabitants. Contact her on Instagram at the_wildokra_projects.