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

Hi Pavani, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I have always loved cooking and blogging gave me a chance to share my recipes with a wider audience. It gives me a lot of joy when readers comment on how they enjoyed my recipes.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Cooking is my art. I am a lifelong vegetarian who loves trying out new recipes from different cuisines, so I started my food blog, Cook’s Hideout, in 2006. But after quitting my full-time job, my blog became my full-time hobby.

My blog focuses on easy-to-make, approachable family-friendly recipes. I love converting traditional meat-based recipes into vegetarian/ vegan dishes. My recipes were featured in Buzzfeed, Brit+Co, Country Living, Well and Good, Taste of Home and Live Kindly.

Food blogging is a very competitive field. I started my food website when blogging was still new and it was about sharing “what I made for dinner” kind of recipes. But over the years, Google and SEO changed the blogging landscape. Keeping up with the updates and sharing fresh content is a constant challenge.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We love Colorado because there are so many fun places to visit. Here is a sample itinerary when my best friend visits us: Day 1 – Vail or Breckenridge
Day 2 – River rafting in summer or skiing in winter
Day 3 – Rocky Mountain National Park either Bear Lake or Lily Lake and eat at one of many amazing restaurants in Estes Park. We love Cafe de Pho Thai restaurant.
Day 4 – Colorado Springs – Garden of the gods, Manitou Springs. Eat at Santana’s Vegan grill.
Day 5 – Denver downtown and Red rocks Amphitheater

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to thank my husband, and my kids for their support and being my steadfast supporters. Also to my mom, for giving me the cooking bug and always encouraging me to follow my dream.

Website: https://www.cookshideout.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cooks_hideout/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/napavani

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

Image Credits
Harsh Chenna for Personal Photo.

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