Ian Purkayastha

Founder, Regalis Foods

Travels From Travels From:
New York, NY, USA
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Ian Purkayastha Biography

At age 18 Purkayastha has appeared on the Manhattan food scene by peddling one of the culinary world’s most prized ingredients. Truffles.

Purkayastha grew up in Arkansas, in a family of adventurous eaters. When he was 14 he ate some wild mushrooms that his uncle found in the woods near his parents’ home. Soon he was digging up the forest, looking for edible fungus. A year later he tried truffles for the first time and was hooked. “All I could talk about was truffles and food,” he recalls. “It’s not the kind of thing the average high school kid loves.”

In 2010 Purkayastha sold $900,000 worth to high-end restaurants like Daniel, Jean-Georges and Per Se, where dinner tabs routinely hit $200 per person.

Purkayastha also discovered the dirtier side of the truffle trade. Some competitors pressured him to raise his prices; others passed off cheaper Chinese truffles as more pungent, higher quality black winter truffles.

Purkayastha wants to be more than just an importer. Two years ago he approached Hudec, his parents’ neighbor, about converting part of his 300-acre ranch into a truffle orchard. Hudec, who also raises buffalo, cattle and horses, agreed to invest $5,000 to buy 200 hazelnut trees from a company in Oregon. He spread 50 tons of lyme to make the soil acidic enough for truffles, which will take four years to mature. The men plan to split the proceeds. “His enthusiasm and motivation to succeed is very contagious,” says Hudec. “To see the light in his eye puts light in mine.”

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 06/21/2024.

Ian Purkayastha Videos

  • The man behind the truffles of NYC's restaurant scene - YouTube
  • The Truffle Kingpin of New York City - YouTube
  • Ian Purkayastha: Young Entrepreneur Award Finalist - NFIB - YouTube

Ian Purkayastha Books

  • Truffle Boy: My Unexpected Journey Through the Exotic Food Underground
    Truffle Boy: My Unexpected Journey Through the Exotic Food Underground

FAQs on booking Ian Purkayastha

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  • What topics does Ian Purkayastha speak about?

    Ian Purkayastha is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Asian & Pacific Heritage, Belonging, Business, Business Growth, Entrepreneurship, Food & Beverage, International Business, Neurodiversity, Nutrition.
  • Where does Ian Purkayastha travel from?

    Ian Purkayastha generally travels from New York, NY, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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Ian Purkayastha is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Ian Purkayastha for your event is available upon request. Ian Purkayastha generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jen Martin, Katlin Smith, Joey Grassia, Ross Burack and Drew Anderson. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Ian Purkayastha for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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