Part of a series of conversations between women food professionals of different generations.

A veteran restauranteur in conversation with a young food entrepreneur.

A conversation between women food entrepreneurs from different generations.

The second in our series of recorded conversations between immigrant women food entrepreneurs.

Zarela Martinez; photo by Meral Agish

What happens when you bring together women food entrepreneurs from different generations and different ethnic backgrounds to talk about food, business, and flavor?

Feet in 2 Worlds wanted to find out, so we paired five veteran New York City restaurateurs and food sellers with their younger counterparts, who sell edible goods at street fairs and online. None of these women had ever met before Fi2W brought them together. But as you’ll hear, they connected in special ways. We think there is a good chance they will meet again somewhere in the five boroughs, probably over a delicious food made with love and served with mutual respect and admiration.

An originator of Mexican fine dining in New York, Zarela Martinez, 67, retired from the restaurant business but continues to work as a cookbook author and consultant. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s a decade ago, Martinez also plans to launch a speaking series about living with the disease.

Kavitha Rathi’s Potpuri food stand will be back at Smorgasburg in September, offering Indian street food with a twist. Now Rathi, 38, is looking for innovative ways to grow her business.

Listen to part 2 in this series Mei Chau and Ah La Ko-Oh: The Accidental Chefs

Audio produced by Meral Agish.

Fi2W is supported by the David and Katherine Moore Family Foundation, the Ralph E. Odgen Foundation, and the Nicholas B. Ottaway Foundation.