The Goya Journal

Selected Portfolio

Hello, Team Goya! Below is a curated selection of feature writing and strategic hospitality work that reflects my editorial range, analytical approach, and experience collaborating with chefs, producers, and hospitality brands across global markets.

For more information about my work, you’re welcome to explore the rest of my website or my LinkedIn page. Please note that this curated portfolio is a private, unlisted page and can only be accessed through the link shared in my application email.

Editorial Features

  • Photo Credit: N

    He's Finally Home

    A long-form feature on identity, terroir, and the rediscovery of Himalayan cuisine through Prateek Sadhu’s homecoming at Naar. The piece follows his return to the mountains and the deeply personal philosophy shaping how India approaches fine dining with deep cultural roots.

    This story explores memory, landscape, and transformation of regional Indian food at the point of origin.

    Read Prateek's Story
  • Woman cooking over two pots on a stove, and a variety of cheeses sliced on a wooden cutting board.

    The Cheesemaker's Calling

    A producer-led narrative on François Laederich, the cheesemaker behind Amiksa, and the origin stories shaping one of India’s distinctive artisanal cheese cultures. The piece follows his journey into the Himalayas and the philosophy that guides his work with alpine technique and Indian terroir.

    This story explores craft, tradition, and the transformation of India’s independent food producers.

    Read François' Story
  • Three people smiling in a colorful bar, with two men standing on either side of a woman sitting on a tall stool.

    Two Partners, One Mission, Zero Apologies

    A feature on Roni Mazumdar and Chef Chintan Pandya of Dhamaka, and the unapologetic vision that shaped one of New York’s most disruptive Indian restaurants. The piece examines their partnership, philosophy, and commitment to honoring regional Indian food without dilution.

    This story explores identity and the power of cultural clarity in how Indian food is experienced worldwide.

    Read Their Story
A black plate with a green banana leaf, holding a crispy half-moon shaped fried item, a piece of seared meat with pink center, and a dollop of sauce.

Representing Indian Food in Tokyo

As the owner’s representative for Spice Lab Tokyo — Japan’s first modern Indian fine dining restaurant — I supported day-to-day operations and helped shape the narrative of spices through a pan-Indian menu rooted in regional recipes and Japanese seasonal ingredients. Working closely with Chef Tejas Sovani and an international culinary team deepened my understanding of India’s regional cuisines and strengthened my ability to represent Indian food in a global context.

This role included securing a partnership with a Tokyo-based restaurant consulting and development group, ensuring long-term strategic alignment and operational support for the restaurant and their sister bar, The Grey Room.

Check Out Spice Lab Tokyo
A meal on a tray with sashimi, a small bowl, and a drink, inside an airplane cabin with a window and a safety information card in the background.

Cross-Cultural Travel Partnership

In partnership with Japan Airlines, I am actively working on a content and strategy initiative aimed at introducing lesser-known regions of Japan to Indian travelers. The project is focused on shifting awareness beyond the classic Tokyo–Kyoto circuit, highlighting rural prefectures, cultural heritage sites, and regional food traditions through editorial storytelling and destination positioning.

This work reflects my ability to build cross-border partnerships and craft narratives that bridge cultures, helping global brands speak meaningfully to Indian audiences. It also strengthened my understanding of how travel, food, and cultural insight intersect to shape discovery and demand in new markets. Much of the work will be published in the near future, with one article available for view at the present time.

Read the Article
Street vendor stand with fresh fruits, including tomatoes and peaches, illuminated by warm sunlight, in an urban setting.

Cold Storage Feasibility Study

A multi-phase feasibility study commissioned by Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture and the Morning Star Foundation to evaluate the viability of a shared cold storage facility for nonprofit food organizations. I led the project from end to end — conducting stakeholder interviews, analyzing operational models, and assessing market gaps to determine long-term sustainability.

This work reflects my ability to translate complex community needs into strategic, actionable recommendations. The study was completed virtually from Delhi and Tokyo, drawing on my deep Washington DC small business network built during my food truck, Union Kitchen, and Chef Erik Bruner-Yang years.

Check Out the Report
A group of people socializing outdoors at a daytime event, with some sitting at a long wooden table and others standing around, under trees and at a venue with a brick wall in the background.

Event Concept & Producer

During my time at Streetsense — a multidisciplinary collective of designers, strategists, and hospitality thinkers — I reimagined Streetmarket as a full-scale public event in a Washington DC alley the studio helped revitalize through its design and interior architecture work. What began as a small internal pop-up featuring a handful of local makers grew into a large, community-facing market with a significantly expanded vendor lineup.

This project reflects my ability to scale cultural experiences with strategic clarity and operational rigor — increasing attendance from roughly 150 internal guests to several thousand visitors, and leading everything from vendor outreach and programming to partnerships and on-site execution.

Check Out Streetmarket

Photography

As the newest addition to my storytelling practice, I have been exploring visual narratives through photography.

While still very new to the camera, I believe my lens could provide further contributions to The Goya Journal platform. The following series of images is from a self-assigned shoot with the women of the Chittaranjan Park Mela Ground committee who offer more than prayers at Durga Puja.

Additional samples of my photography work can be seen throughout my website or on my Instagram page @dont_undersalt.

A decorated Hindu deity statue, surrounded by colorful embellishments and flowers, seen through a narrow opening with people in the foreground.
A group of women, mostly elderly, dressed in traditional colorful Indian sarees, gathered in a room. One woman in the foreground is transferring a liquid from a silver container. Others are seated or standing in the background, engaged in conversatio
An elderly woman wearing a red saree and a badge with the letter 'G' is holding a packet of snacks and gesturing with her right hand. She appears to be speaking or explaining something at an indoor event.
Group of Indian women in traditional attire inspecting cauliflower at a cultural event, with a man in a blue kurta in the background.
A large pan of tofu and vegetable curry cooking on a stove with a visible blue flame, with a metal spoon inside and a glass of water or milk in the background.
A person serving an Indian vegetable curry with green peas and potatoes from a large cooking pot.
A person with gold bracelets and a pink checkered sleeve is mixing yellow rice in a large stainless steel bowl.
Group of women dressed in traditional red and gold attire celebrating together, some dancing and smiling, in a festive setting.

Thank you for reviewing this curated selection of my work. I am happy to share additional writing or project details upon request.