Life is short, Make the cookies
People with Taste | Palita Sriratana, Chef & Founder of Pink Salt
She’s a culinary powerhouse. She’s a genuine community builder. She’s an inspiring business owner. And we were lucky enough to have heeded advice from her about our own food brand (Milkflower).
Meet Palita Sriratana, chef and business owner, our first feature on People with Taste of 2025! Through pop-ups, supper clubs, and a curated line of Thai sauces, Palita’s brand Pink Salt not only offers culinary delights but also fosters community connections.
Chef Palita Sriratana is one of the most connected, coolest chefs in Chicago. Her Thai heritage inspires her food and she’s renowned for her signature product, Nam Prik Pao—a unique Thai roasted chili jam which we’ve been using to the last drop (I mean please refer to her Bangkok hot honey chicken for inspiration).
Powerhouse seems like the only right word to describe her. We’ve only recently connected and we hope to continue building a rapport because she’s not only going places but she’s a truly kind, helpful and genuine human who sleeps, eats and breathes damn good food. Here’s to kicking off 2025 with an inspiring bang…
“I'm passionate about cooking, although I sometimes experience burnout. Juggling pop-ups, catering, and managing the daily operations of the sauce line, I felt compelled to explore something adjacent to my culinary passion. At the heart of it, I adore hosting, nourishing people, and leaving them inspired for the day. Elevating a simple brunch with a carefully curated tablescape with fresh flowers and fruit, transforms the gathering into a memorable experience for my friends or family. I love the opportunity to send my guests home with a piece of the centerpiece as a snack for later.
A fun hosting tip… I always keep a few dozen frozen cookie scoops. I never know who will stop by and I can just pop them in the oven for dessert or a take home gift. I kept black sesame swirl sugar cookies on hand for the longest time. I most recently made a pistachio white chocolate rose cookie [editor note: check our Instagram stories for the recipe]. If there's a chance to spoil my friends, I take it. After all, life is short.”
“Traveling during the cold months always rejuvenates me. While I appreciate routine, it is, by definition, monotonous. I've just returned from Miami. This latest trip allowed me to revisit old favorites and discover new gems. My favorite spot in Miami is Puerto Sagua—a no-frills, unpretentious Cuban cafe with well-loved, lived-in vibes. Not all food needs to be showy; it just needs to be delicious. I often find myself thinking about their oxtail stew and fried pork chunks. I also love visiting Tokyo. When I fly to Bangkok to see my family, I try to arrange a layover in Japan to break up the 24-hour travel time. I studied abroad in Tokyo years ago and would stay out all night to sneak into the old Tsukiji Fish Market to watch the fish auctions. That was when I knew I wanted to cook for a living. I try to infuse an adventure mindset into my daily routine, transforming everyday moments with the romance of travel, and maybe even see a different version of myself.”
“In Japanese culture, gifting—or "furoshiki"—is an art form that emphasizes simplicity and elegance, particularly when presented in a neatly presented form. I value its sustainability, including the reuse of old fabrics and found items. It's a beautiful expression of gratitude, friendship, and respect. Sometimes it's not what you give someone, it's how. Even the simplest gift can have a profound impact depending on its presentation. This ethos is actually integral to how I approach Pink Salt's sauce line.”
Where can you find Palita next?
She’ll be doing a Valentine's day pop up with The Center of Order and Experimentation (a place near and dear to our hearts) on February 14th. She’s also developing a new marinade and steak sauce for her sauce line, in preparation for her expansion into Fresh Thyme this month. Follow her here if you, like us, want to become an official taste taster.
Thank you, Palita, for having great taste!
We love Palita!