Interview with Monica Bhide

Monica Bhide is an engineer turned writer based out of Washington, D.C. She has built a diverse and solid audience through the publication of three cookbooks, her short story collection, her successful website MonicaBhide.com, and is actively published in top tier media, including: Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, Saveur, The Washington Post, Health, The New York Times, Ladies Home Journal, AARP-The magazine, Parents, and many others. The Chicago Tribune named Bhide one of the seven food writers to watch in 2012. In April 2012, Mashable.com picked her as one of the top ten food writers on Twitter. Her work has garnered numerous accolades, including her food essays being included in Best Food Writing anthologies (2005, 2009, 2010, 2014). Monica just released her debut short story collection, The Devil in Us.

Monica is a frequent presence on NPR, serves as a speaker and teacher for organizations such as Georgetown University, the Association of Food Journalists (AFJ), London Food Blogger’s Connect and the Smithsonian.

You can find out more about her work at monicabhide.com

1. You were very successful in your job. What compelled you to leave your career and start writing?

I liked my job but never loved what I did. I had wanted to write since I was a little kid. But in our household, like most Indian households, writing was not really looked upon as a lucrative career.  Things are very different now! Back then, we had three choices – doctor, lawyer or engineer. I chose engineer. But after working for almost thirteen years in corporate America, I decided to quit and follow my dream to become a storyteller. What compelled me was the death of a friend. She was a dear, dear friend and passed away suddenly. Her death really shook me. It made me realize how short life is… and how it is now or never.

2. It must be hard for you to switch career. What kind of challenges did you face?

I knew nothing about writing, editing, pitching, reading a masthead in a magazine, understanding how to interview, how to report. I did not know anyone in the world of food writing. It was an uphill battle for many years.

3. What is your soul food? Why is that?

I go back and forth between fried eggs and khichdi! There is something about both those foods that makes me feel calm and centered.

4. What ‘s it like to be a famous food writer/blogger/author? 

Famous? I dont think so. it is like my little one says, “Mom. you arent red carpet famous or anything but I like your recipes.”

5. I am a new blogger. Can you please give advice to a new blogger? 

Read a lot. Write a lot. Never give up. Rinse. Lather Repeat!

6. What are the challenges of your current work?

I am transitioning to fiction. It is very different from telling food stories but I am trying!!

7. I ask this question to my dad often. He is an author of thirteen Economics textbooks. Is it hard to write a book? How do you put together your thoughts to write a book? 

I wouldn’t say it is hard but it does require commitment and also patience. I sometimes rush through a draft and then I have to remind myself to slow down and have patience.

8. You inspire thousands of woman like me, what inspire you?

I am inspired by so many people. I love the work of Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, I love Michael Ruhlman and Kathleen Flinn. So many great writers out there!

9. Not many women choose to be an engineer:). Why did you choose engineering? And what message do you want to send to our young generations who are still considering which path to go?

I chose engineering because I had a strong math and science background. My message would be to spend sometime really figuring out what makes you happy. What makes you want to get out of bed? What gives you a smile? What makes you feel like the days are flying by? Now, try to see if you can make a profession out of that! If you love what you do, on most days, it won’t feel like work

10. What is your typical day? How do you manage time to do everything so perfect?

I wish I had a typical day! On most days I am just trying to catch up with my own spirit! I write in the mornings, afternoons are for marketing and evening is for the family. Of course, these days with two book deadlines looming, I am trying hard to write more.

Thanks again for including me!!