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This episode of Passing the Plate is sponsored by StoriedBook Recipes from Storied.
Engineering Flavor: A Rocket Scientist’s Journey to the Kitchen
What happens when a jet engine designer turns her analytical mind to the kitchen? Meet Sheila Narayanan, whose journey from aerospace engineering at Rolls-Royce and GE to data analytics at MasterCard led to an unexpected destination: revolutionizing how we approach Indian cooking at home. When her college-bound daughter missed homemade Indian meals, Sheila applied her problem-solving skills to create Simply Masala—innovative spice kits that make authentic Indian cuisine accessible to everyone.
Join us as we:
- Meet the Innovator: Learn how Sheila’s background in rocket science and business executive roles shaped her approach to food innovation, bringing precision and accessibility to traditional Indian cooking methods.
- Understand the Inspiration: Hear the story of how a daughter sparked a mom to a mission to share Indian cuisine with a broader audience through carefully crafted spice kits.
- Break Down Barriers: Examine the common challenges people face when attempting Indian cooking at home and how thoughtful product design can make complex flavor profiles achievable for any home cook.
- Connect Culture and Community: Learn about Simply Masala’s social enterprise model, where every purchase funds tech education programs for girls and underrepresented groups, creating positive change beyond the kitchen.
So, grab your favorite tea and join us for an inspiring conversation about innovation, heritage, and the power of food to bring people together!
Meet Sheila Narayanan
Sheila is a rocket scientist and business executive turned food innovator—a woman whose journey spans jet engines, digital transformation, and the flavors of home. When her college-bound daughter missed homemade Indian meals, Sheila created Simply Masala—innovative spice kits with pre-measured ingredients and easy recipes. It’s also a social enterprise: every kit purchased funds tech education programs for girls and underrepresented groups.
Find Sheila at:
Resources
Keep exploring with the links and resources from the episode:
- Visit Storied.com or use code PLATE to save 20% off your first StoriedBook and create something your family will treasure forever.
- Simply Masala
- Hudson Milk + Market in Peekskill, NY
- Simply Masala Spices Etsy Shop
- Sourdough naan recipe from The Gingered Whisk
- Splatter screen
- Masala dabba
- Simply Masala Spices on Instagram
- Wicked Gluten Free
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