Real food, real people, a delicious mission
Our mission is to improve the health and financial well-being of the communities we operate in
Our delicious journey
We, Priya and Shaleen, are former bankers. Life in Virginia was easy, with plenty of time to get quality food on the dinner table. Then in 2017 we moved to New Jersey and started commuting into NYC.
Ninety minutes each way on NJ Transit didn't leave the time or energy to cook. Restaurant food wasn't the answer. We found talented local cooks making fresh, home-cooked meals — but the whole space was scattered and hard to navigate.
We figured a better solution had to exist. And if it didn't, we'd build it. So we did — WannaEat.
Local & home-made
Fresh meals cooked by chefs in your neighborhood.
Authentic & diverse
Recipes from many cultures and kitchens — real flavors, no artificial shortcuts.
Simple & convenient
Browse, order & relax. Your chef sources, cooks, and delivers - you just enjoy.
Meet the founders
Two former bankers who traded boardrooms for a bigger mission — uplifting the culinary talent in our communities.
Priya is the CEO of WannaEat. She is a seasoned Product Management Leader, having worked in the Banking Industry for nearly two decades - working for big banks like Capital One, Wells Fargo and Wachovia. She has an undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering from University of Rajasthan and Masters in Business Administration from Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies.
Shaleen is the COO of WannaEat and is responsible for all operations and logistics. He is a seasoned Banking executive, having worked in leadership roles in Big Banks -RBC, SVB and Capital One. He was most recently the Head of Product Management for Royal Bank of Canada's US Cash Management Business. Shaleen is an alumnus of the prestigious IIT and IIM.
Our journey so far
Launched in May 2023 in Millburn–Short Hills, New Jersey, WannaEat has quickly grown to serve customers across the state, with exciting expansions into new regions on the horizon.
The start of WannaEat
WannaEat was launched in May 2023.
Second Runner-up at IIT Bombay & TiE NY Pitch Competition
WannaEat placed third among 65 startups across USA.
Tech United's 2024 Catalyst of Empowerment
Awarded to CEO Priya Prakash for enabling entrepreneurship through WannaEat.
Speaker at TiE NY Entrepreneurs Meet-Up
Priya was invited to share her journey and inspire new entrepreneurs.
Speaker at Women Founders TiE NY Event
Empowering Next Gen Women Entrepreneurs : reflecting on our journey, lessons learnt and the power of grit
#BestIsYetToCome
Awards, Applause & Airwaves
Podcasts, talks, and the press telling the WannaEat story.
Recognized for supporting the women in our communities and beyond
A movement to nourish communities and empower independent chefs
Our Start-up Zero to One Journey
Priya Prakash's Purposeful Pivot from Banking to FoodTech
Story of courage, purpose and heart as Priya and Shaleen started WannaEat
.jpg)
.jpeg)
