By Beverly Meaux for The Montgomery News | May 24, 2026
A Montgomery resident is combining her passion for food with her professional background as she prepares to open a new business in town while stepping into a key township leadership position.
Vaishali Patel plans to open a Taste Buds Kitchen franchise at The Montgomery Promenade this fall, creating a space designed for cooking classes, social gatherings, birthday parties and community events. She was also recently appointed chairperson of the township’s Economic Development Commission (EDC) for 2026.
A 10-year township resident, Patel is launching the business with the support of her husband, Amit Patel, and their three sons. She said the concept is intended to serve a wide range of residents—from children learning basic cooking skills to adults looking for a creative and social outlet. It is scheduled to be the first Taste Buds Kitchen to open in New Jersey.
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Taste Buds Kitchen is expected to serve as a community gathering space, offering programming for children, teens, and adults. Patel said her goal is to create a welcoming environment where residents can learn new skills while connecting with others.
Her interest in cooking began early, growing up in Edison, where she was inspired by her mother’s home-cooked meals. She later pursued both business and culinary education, earning a degree from Pennsylvania State University and completing culinary training at the Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan.
Patel went on to build a career with Accenture, where she worked with global biopharmaceutical companies and most recently served as a senior manager specializing in innovation and strategy. Her experience focused on helping organizations adapt to changing markets and improve customer experience.
Now, she is applying those skills to her own business venture. As their children have grown, Patel said she felt motivated to pursue a more hands-on path—one that combines her professional experience with her passion for food and community engagement.
“Now I see that the more I engage my kids in the kitchen, the more confident they get and the more prideful they are in what they cook and actually want to eat it,” Patel said.
Through Taste Buds Kitchen, Patel aims to create an environment where families, teens, and adults can connect through cooking while building confidence and creativity in the kitchen.
In addition to her new business venture, Patel has taken on a larger role in the community. After serving two years as an Economic Development Commission (EDC) board member, she was appointed chairperson, succeeding Diana Andes. In that position, she helps lead efforts to attract and support local businesses, promote commercial occupancy, and foster a business-friendly environment in Montgomery.
The commission also organizes initiatives such as Restaurant Week and supports Small Business Week, upcoming World Cup activities, along with other community events throughout the year.
Patel is also an active member of the Montgomery Business Association.
Residents interested in updates on the Taste Buds Kitchen opening and upcoming classes can contact Patel to join the mailing list, Vasihali.patel@tastebudkitchens.com. Join her pre-launch guest list at vaishali.patel@tastebudskitchen.com.
