Meet Meera Keshav | Entrepreneurial Chef and Food Enthusiast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Meera Keshav and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meera, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
Being a chef doesn’t just mean cooking all the time. There a constant need to be creative and finding new ways to present your creations in ways that haven’t been done before. Also that chefs are always eating their own food! There are so many days where I look and think about food all day long that by the end of the day, I don’t feel like eating.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
While I originally began working in restaurants because of my passion for food, I ended up where I am today really because of the pandemic. I was jobless and bored sitting in quarantine (like so many of us). I began cooking for fun and not for work. Everything from PopTarts to hummus and pita chips became a true project and mission to create for the simple enjoyment of enjoying things you love. My family began to tire of eating all the leftovers (crazy, right??) and eventually I began dropping things off for my neighbors. I then realized there were so many people in my neighborhood that were struggling to feed their families all the time. I began meal prepping for those families, the elderly and people who had dietary restrictions. My business blossomed simply from helping out my community and it felt so amazing.

As we began to return to some normalcy, I started doing private dinners for birthdays, anniversaries and even bachelorette parties when restaurants were still so limited. Helping people celebrate the small moments made every long night of prep worth it. It wasn’t easy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Being a chef is a true labor of love!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would plan a mini tour of San Diego – the local and favorite spots!

Hiking – Annie’s Canyon in Solana Beach, Potato Chip Rock in Poway, Devil’s Punchbowl in Ramona

Best Breakfasts:
Claire’s on Cedros
VG’s Donut
Morning Glory (for food and people watching!)

Best Local Restaurants:
The Shop (deep dish pizza)
Blue Ribbon (thin crust artisan pizza)
Café Luna (homemade pastas)
Casa De Bandini (you can watch them make fresh tortillas)
El Pueblo (best hole in the wall mexican with a full bar)
Best Pizza (local chain with friendly people, local beers on tap and great homemade ranch)
Amalfi Restaurant (located on San Marcos lake with a beautiful view)
The Neighborhood (chef focused food with 2 secret bars behind it)
Koon Thai
Animae (really high end Asian fusion)
Davanti’s Enoteca (downtown, the bloody mary bar for brunch and the burger!)

Local Brews:
Second Chance Brewery (delicious beers dog friendly seating and games)
New English Brewing (try the pure and simple IPA)
Realm of the 52 Remedies (not a brewery but a really amazing secret bar)

Entertainment:
Shout House (instead of a club, go to this dueling piano bar for an amazing and lively night out)
Rooftop Cinema (classic movies with comfy chairs and great snacks)
Belly Up (local cover bands playing all week! a great time)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family! Without their love for cooking, food, and gathering people together, I would not have decided to make a career of it. Anything can be cured with a long family dinner and meals made with love.

Website: chefmeera.com

Instagram: instagram.com/chefmeerakeshav/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meera-keshav-96127460/

Facebook: facebook.com/chefmeerakeshav

Image Credits
Suhani Keshav