Today we’d like to introduce you to Radhika Patel.
Hi Radhika, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in England in a very social and food loving family. Being Indian culturally, food and hosting friends and family were always two big components of everyday life. Mixed with my passion for marketing, branding and even photography, it was clear to see the path I would take. My love for food photography came from my favorite time of year – Christmas, admiring the food catalogues from English stores such as Marks and Spencer’s and John Lewis. I was in awe of the tablescapes of festivity, and started collecting the magazines, knowing this is what I wanted to do one day – a picture does say a thousand words!
I graduated with honors in Business Management and Marketing from the University of Westminster in London and went on to work in marketing and advertising at companies such as OMD UK, one of the world’s most celebrated advertising companies, working on brands such as Coty and McDonalds.
It’s not until I met my now husband at my cousin’s wedding here in Houston, when life took a different direction! A fairytale romance, unexpected to say the least, within a year we got married in London at the stunning East Wintergarden in the financial district and then I moved to Houston!
A new city, even though I had visited prior as we have family here, bought new adventures and opportunity. I was given an amazing chance to essentially pick my dream job by the CEO of the company where I applied for a marketing assistant role – I was overqualified for the job but was given a two-week research project for the CEO himself. It seemed I had impressed as I was literally asked what would I like to do for the company. I took this opportunity and ran with it. A new copywriter role was created for me and my career in America was off to a hit. I found myself only onwards and upwards from here.
The role naturally developed into a social media role, when social media was only beginning to develop as a marketing strategy for businesses to use. At University Facebook had just launched and now here I was using it in an entirely different way! A few years went by, and as I developed my skills in this environment, the Houston food scene also started buzzing. I would always take pictures of my food as I explored the city’s diverse restaurant scene, but then I decided to combine my work and passion and launched Eat with Rads! I loved the community I built and am building as this allowed me to meet new people who shared the same love and passion as I did. Not only in the food industry but fashion and blogging too!
Through Eat with Rads, I was presented with the opportunity, to join City Lifestyle – an online platform which delivers hyperlocal content through articles. Eventually, River Oaks Lifestyle magazine reached out to me to be a contributing writer for the publication – I was ecstatic! As a child I wanted to be an author, as an avid reader and I was shocked and excited to see this dream coming true – I’m now a published author. This endeavor continued, writing for more publications such as The Woodlands Lifestyle and even Houstonia Magazine! I not only interviewed those from the food world, chefs and sommeliers, but interior design experts, art enthusiasts and even philanthropists. I really found my passion, writing about my own experiences as well as interviewing some amazing members of the community.
Alongside writing for publications, I continued my path down social media management in industries from real estate to oil and gas.
Working remotely, I’ve been super fortunate as I recently had my first baby, a boy named Roman. I can continue my passion as I enter my motherhood journey. Eat with Rads Baby Edition is born!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
“Will you be ok?” “It’s so different there!” These were some of the questions I was asked from family and friends when I announced I would be leaving London to move to Houston. This change didn’t seem to phase me – I was moving to where I had family and to be with my love. The adventurer in me was excited, nerves never really struck me. However, I found myself to be in situations where I noticed how different I was. Not only in how I sounded with my English accent but even with lifestyle differences – I could no longer jump on the train into the city or walk to the shops. This was the biggest challenge for me – the ease of freedom, as I never drove in London.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As a freelance social media manager, I provide services to different companies in various industries to assist and manage the company’s growth. From audits, to full on social media strategy, I work closely with clients listening to their needs and wants to create content. My major strength lies in influencer management and community management, working alongside prominent bloggers and influencers.
Cultivating relationships via my blog and career has allowed me to flourish in my writing too. I started by writing features on my favorite restaurants, chefs, and popular Houston hotspots from bakeries to the best outdoor patios. Often invited to restaurant openings and collaborating with major brands such as Tommy Bahama as part of my work, I’m mostly known for working alongside businesses to promote brand growth, awareness, and engagement.
Some major highlights include writing radio ads in the beginning of my American career. I remember vividly on the way to work, hearing my ad on the radio – I wrote those words! A sense of accomplishment and achievement overwhelmed me. I was also handpicked by City Lifestyle to record a podcast for the Ambassador Educational Series: MasterClass Collection, as a specialist in my field – a social media manager and food blogger.
My English background, mixed with Asian heritage really sets me apart in today’s day and age. My uncle pioneered Indian cuisine in Houston since the early 1980’s. He and my Father had a restaurant in London and came to Houston in 1981 and opened the first high end Indian restaurant, feeding everyone from Hollywood’s elite such as Clint Eastwood and Farah Fawcett, famous Houston athletes to Bollywood stars. Indian food truly became a trend, setting the bar high. Royal Gaelord, Maharajah, Haveli and Cafe India truly put Indian cuisine on the map in Houston, becoming everyone’s one stop when travelling here. You could say my passion for the food industry is in my DNA because of my family background. My cultural mix allows me to appreciate that true dining is more than food and eating out, it is an experience that all one’s senses indulge in. I appreciate hospitality, ambience and presentation, as being equally important as the quality of produce used, and the service provided too. I’m able to bring in my own experience and background when interviewing those in this industry for my articles and can relate on a deeper more personal level because of this.
I feel my style, outlook and vibe is heavily influenced by my background. Now I embrace sounding different…
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Never be afraid to take the steps which can turn into leaps – leaps to turn dreams into reality. As someone who never wanted to leave her home in London to creating a whole new life and path for herself – you never know where life can take you. Don’t let anything hold you back, whether you think the market is oversaturated with so many food bloggers or influencers – you have something different to offer – no two people are alike…you have your own shine and your own voice!
Even though I started Eat with Rads for fun, I would like people who want to start their own blog to know the power of the strong, supportive, and empowering community you will be exposed to. It’s very motivating and comforting knowing there are people in the same boat as you!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/eat.with.rads
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/eat.with.rads
- Other: https://citylifestyle.com/authors/radhika-patel
