Roots in Georgia, Seasoned with Love

Dipna Patel was born in the quiet town of Stockbridge, Georgia. While the city may not have a food it proudly claims, Dipna's home always carried the comforting smells of meals cooked with care. Food, for her, was never about trends—it was about nourishment, family, and the calm rhythm of everyday life.

Pregnancy, Sushi Cravings, and a Circle of Support

When Dipna was expecting her daughter—now eight years old—she had her husband, in-laws, and close friends by her side. Her biggest craving? Sushi, of all things. “But of course,” she laughs, “I couldn’t eat it.” At the time, she was still working but chose to pause her career until her child turned 18 months old. During those early months of motherhood, it was her husband’s parents who made sure she was fed and rested, cooking meals that let her focus on healing and parenting.

Learning to Feed, Learning to Mother

As a first-time mom, Dipna turned to the trifecta of support: friends, family, and Google. She also leaned on her pediatrician to guide her through feeding decisions. “I’d steam vegetables and fruits,” she shares. “There was no tension between what the doctor said and what the elders advised. It all worked hand in hand.”

Tradition, Nutrition & Today’s Realities

Dipna strongly believes that a traditional diet offers the best base for a child’s health. She’s mindful of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, especially since school lunches and busy schedules often pull her daughter away from home-cooked meals. “I do worry,” she admits, “because I’m not with her for every meal. But I try to teach her how to make better food choices herself.”

A Table for All Tastes

Food in the Patel household is a joyful, shared experience. Favorites range from Gujarati classics to homemade enchiladas and pizza. “We don’t really cook separately for the kids—just adjust the spice levels.” Eating out is not discouraged. In fact, it's a part of how they explore and experience the world together. “We’re food lovers,” Dipna says. “Trying new dishes is part of our rhythm.”

Passing Down the Ladle

Dipna is intentional about teaching her daughter to cook—not for Instagram, but for independence. “She’s helping me in the kitchen more now. I want her to grow up being able to take care of herself, not rely on restaurants.” Slowly but surely, the next generation is learning not just recipes, but resilience.

Food, Family, and Finding Your Way

The Patel family isn’t vegetarian, though the decision around eating meat sparked conversations when their daughter was younger. “It was something we thought through carefully,” Dipna says. But as with most things in her parenting journey, she finds the answers somewhere between tradition and choice, memory and modernity.