Meet Sarah Blair- Pure Palate | Trained Chef & Wellness Food Blogger/Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Blair- Pure Palate and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?

I grew up in the mountains of NH. My parents are huge “green thumbs” and took much pride and energy in cultivating our 20-acre property. The outside was a natural playground for my sister and me. We used to graze in my dad’s giant vegetable garden, and berry patches between pond swims, tennis, tag, and croquet. We were brought up to appreciate the land and all its offerings and entertain ourselves with simple pleasures. 

I’ve carried this pure mindset into my adult life. I have always craved adventure, been driven to create, and continuously aim for a peaceful, healthy, and happy lifestyle. 

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.

Hi, I’m Sarah Blair, founder and creator of Pure Palate, a wellness brand that provides healthy recipes, tips, and educates people on how to live a happy and active lifestyle. Pure Palate teaches people how to nourish their bodies and minds through the integral combination of food, mental clarity, and physical movement. My brand helps people understand how to fuel the body to curate and enhance one’s wellness journey.

I have always loved and been obsessed with food! It is an art form where I play with various textures, flavor profiles, fresh ingredients, and combinations. I crave authenticity, purity, and how ingredients and shared meals shape culture and tradition. When people dine together, it’s not just to satiate hunger; rather, it can become a blissful experience and communal memory.

Creating, sustaining, and growing Pure Palate has been my primary focus as an adult. I like to think I’m a bit of a unicorn in the culinary field because I am professionally trained at the Institute of Culinary Education, I’ve worked both front of the house and back of the house at some of NYC’s most acclaimed restaurants, and I climbed the ranks at Food Network, producing top print, tv, and commercial content. I have independently produced and styled for top networks and Fortune 500 brands. I have parlayed all this experience into combining my true passions; world travel, athletics, and educating individuals in the culinary wellness space. 

Anyone who has worked in a restaurant in any capacity knows it requires long hours on your feet, extreme mental focus and precision, and a lot of grit and sweat. I’ve spent years working 14-plus hour days and putting in the work, whether it be waiting tables, chopping vegetables for celebrity chefs, or endless hours creating spreadsheets and supervising my crew and talent in front of and behind the camera all across the US. I even spent six months leading culinary tours throughout Europe. As a freelancer, it’s all about the hustle! I’m constantly critiquing my work, trying to stay on top of culinary trends, and networking with top professionals in my field. I love the challenge of it all! 

I’ve developed an incredibly thick skin mentally and physically and am constantly practicing poised intention when managing teams and clients. I’ve learned that being organized and communicating clearly are crucial to success. I try to always lead with positivity, patience, and grace. It’s a forever work in progress, and it takes a sense of self-awareness to know there’s always room for improvement. Amidst it all, I am incredibly grateful to be working in a field I truly love. 

I want to inspire others to create and embody a healthy lifestyle. Pure Palate teaches you to apply focus, respect, presence, commitment, and routine to all aspects of your life, through food, travel, art, athletics, and wellness. It’s all about connecting with people, having a wild sense of adventure, being bold, harnessing your creativity, and doing so with a smile!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Adventuring in South Bay!

• Rent a surfboard, boogie board, or paddleboard and enjoy the waves of Manhattan Beach.
• Rent a bike and cruise along The Strand. You can stop at Playa Provisions for a coffee and pastry and then ride down to the Hermosa Pier for a beer or cocktail while sitting outside.  
• Hike the Santa Monica mountains and do the full Los Liones Trail. 
• Stop in Malibu at Malibu Country Mart for shop window shopping and have a seafood lunch at Broad Street Oyster Co. 
• Stroll, and browse local shops in Manhattan Beach and eat lunch at Tacolicious,  Esperanza, or Fishing With Dynamite.
• Head south to Torrance for dinner and eat the most delicious soup dumplings at Din Tai Fung. 
• Make a stop at The Point in El Segundo for ice cream at Van Leeuwen’s. 

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

My parents and older sister deserve all the credit for pushing me to be the best version of myself! They have been my number #1 cheerleaders throughout my career, and their support and encouragement are everything to me! They are always behind me during the bumps, struggles, and achievements. I feel so lucky to have such a solid and unwavering support system. This foundation grants me the confidence to keep going and work towards every passion and goal I envision. 

Website: www.apurepalate.com

Instagram: @apurepalate

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-blair-55836436/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APurePalate/

Other: Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/apurepalate/

Image Credits
Pure Palate © 2022 All Rights Reserved Pure Palate LLC.