Experimental Food Lab

         

Shop Stories may get paid commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Interview with Maya Patel, owner of Gastronomy Labs in Portland, Oregon

1. Can you tell us a little about your background and how you got interested in food experimentation?

I have always been fascinated by the way food can bring people together and create new experiences. I grew up in an Indian family where food was central to our culture and traditions. This love for food led me to study food science in college and eventually pursue a career in food product development. However, I always felt restricted by the constraints of the industry and wanted to explore the boundaries of traditional cuisine.

2. What inspired you to open Gastronomy Labs?

After years of working in food product development, I realized there was a gap in the market for culinary events that focused on food experimentation and education. I wanted to create a space where people could come together to learn about innovative food techniques, flavors, and combinations. Gastronomy Labs was born out of this desire to create a community around experimental food.

3. What were the initial challenges you faced when starting your business?

The biggest challenge was finding a space that was large enough to accommodate all the equipment we needed for our workshops and tastings. We looked at several locations before finally finding our current space. Another challenge was getting the word out about our business. We had to rely heavily on social media and word-of-mouth to attract customers initially.

4. How has Shopify helped you with your business?

Shopify has been a game-changer for our business. We started off with just a simple website, but as our business grew, we needed a more robust platform to manage our sales and inventory. Shopify's user-friendly interface and seamless integration with our other systems have made it easy for us to manage our online store and grow our business.

5. Can you share a particularly memorable moment from your time at Gastronomy Labs?

One of our most memorable events was a molecular gastronomy workshop we held last year. We had a group of food enthusiasts come in to learn about the science behind cooking and to create their own experimental dishes. The creativity and enthusiasm in the room were infectious, and it was amazing to see everyone come together to create some truly mind-boggling dishes.

6. How has your business adapted to the challenges of the pandemic?

Like many businesses, we had to pivot quickly when the pandemic hit. We shifted our focus to virtual events and partnered with other local businesses to create food and beverage packages that customers could enjoy from home. We also ramped up our online store and started offering more products that customers could purchase and use at home.

7. What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs looking to start their own business?

My advice would be to stay true to your vision and don't be afraid to take risks. Starting a business is never easy, but if you're passionate about what you're doing and willing to put in the work, it can be incredibly rewarding. Also, don't be afraid to ask for help. There are so many resources out there for small businesses, from mentorship programs to government grants, that can help you get started and grow your business.

         

Shop Stories is designed to provide inspiration through stories about ecommerce success. Articles on this site including names, businesses, locations and any other element of the story have been created with a combination of human inspiration and generative AI. Articles may contain inaccuracies, untruths and possibly incorrect or dangerous advice. Use at your own risk.