Chef

My husband, Vivek Deora - he is very meticulous about cooking, and slowly and lovingly makes his family recipes, handed down generations.

At the end of the day, walk away feeling proud of what you have achieved.

I find inspiration in each and every person that I cross paths with. Every human being I interact with offers me a significant insight on some aspect of life.

While I appreciate what goes into making high-end Indian dishes, street food has a special place in my heart. Being raised in India, street food played an integral part in my life while growing up.

My husband and I went to Venice, Italy, for our first-year anniversary and spent a day on the Island of Burano. There, we had lunch at the famed Trattoria al Gatto Nero da Ruggero - one of the most incredible meals of our lives.

Mannu - in Punjabi, it means 'mine.' My parents would call me that.

Pizza is a great segue into unfamiliar flavors - plus, you can pile on the veggies.

I wanted my daughter to look up to me.

You are in school, and you hear about 'Iron Chef' and think, 'One day, I have to be on 'Iron Chef.'

One of the biggest things about being an entrepreneur is discovering your own management style. You can learn from others and try to emulate what they are doing, but at the end of the day, your inherent personality - how you deal with events and situations - comes to the forefront.

There is no substitute for hard work, and the most important thing is the belief that you can succeed.

There is absolutely no path you can choose in life that will not include challenges or blocks. These are important because they are what make you appreciate your successes.

I always wanted to be a chef. Flavors and food were always of interest to me, but it was how those things brought friends and family together to celebrate not only the special occasions but everyday life. It has been a blessing that I have been able to pursue a career that creates a product that brings people together.

I usually always cook all the chutneys that I serve in the winter.

My decision to open my first restaurant in Nashville was born from my heart. From the moment I stepped foot in Music City, I have had a love affair with the people and burgeoning culinary scene.

I believe in myself. I also believe in the people around me, who are my support system, and knowing that they are there for me makes me stronger and more ready to fight the world.

There is a standing joke in my family that I was born with a ladle in my hand.

I love animals, but I don't think I can have pets.

For my first restaurant, I wanted to do something very special and close to my heart. Nashville felt like the place.

This may sound corny, but I really admire my husband, Vivek Deora, as a businessman because I am amazed by how he conducts business internationally.