{"id":506,"date":"2013-11-13T13:14:55","date_gmt":"2013-11-13T13:14:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/?p=506"},"modified":"2016-07-18T02:47:56","modified_gmt":"2016-07-18T02:47:56","slug":"tampa-bays-10-leading-ladies-2011-renu-parker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/tampa-bays-10-leading-ladies-2011-renu-parker\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampa Bay&#8217;s 10 Leading Ladies 2011: Renu Parker"},"content":{"rendered":"<div\n\tclass=\"ngg-galleryoverview\"\n\tid=\"ngg-gallery-b82b622f51a1fb57d6ef7cd7e08a0169-1\">\n\n    \t\t<!-- Thumbnails -->\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-0\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/renu-parker\/a0103227.jpg\"\n               title=\"Asha Rai\u2019s Indian Butter Chicken\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/renu-parker\/a0103227.jpg\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/renu-parker\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0103227.jpg\"\n               data-image-id=\"137\"\n               data-title=\"a0103227\"\n               data-description=\"Asha Rai\u2019s Indian Butter Chicken\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"b82b622f51a1fb57d6ef7cd7e08a0169\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"a0103227\"\n                    alt=\"a0103227\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/renu-parker\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0103227.jpg\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-1\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/renu-parker\/a0103274.jpg\"\n               title=\"Attorney Renu Parker\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/renu-parker\/a0103274.jpg\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/renu-parker\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0103274.jpg\"\n               data-image-id=\"138\"\n               data-title=\"a0103274\"\n               data-description=\"Attorney Renu Parker\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"b82b622f51a1fb57d6ef7cd7e08a0169\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"a0103274\"\n                    alt=\"a0103274\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/renu-parker\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0103274.jpg\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\n\t\t<!-- Pagination -->\n\t<div class='ngg-clear'><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\n<p>Renu Parker<\/p>\n<p>South Tampa resident Renu Parker has had a dynamic life. Raised in Kentucky, she\u00a0went on to become a New York City attorney for a large non-profit and eventually\u00a0made her way to Tampa where she lives with her husband Jud and two daughters,\u00a0Ava and Suri, works as a consultant and gives back to the community by co-chairing Pavilion XXVI at Tampa Museum of Art, among other things.<\/p>\n<p>How did you become involved in charity work?<\/p>\n<p>In the late 90\u2019s, I was hired as a staff attorney at the world\u2019s largest HIV\/AIDS non-profit organization in New York City, where I worked with about 1,000 HIV\/AIDS\u00a0infected men and women. That job changed my life.<\/p>\n<p>What is one of your favorite charity events in Tampa and why?<\/p>\n<p>TAMCO Foundation hosts a wonderful yearly fishing tournament in April to\u00a0benefit wounded soldiers and their families. It is so unique because donors\u00a0and the wounded get to participate in the fundraiser together. The event also\u00a0provides an opportunity for the public to personally thank soldiers for their\u00a0sacrifices.<\/p>\n<p>As a leading lady, what is one of your proudest accomplishments?<\/p>\n<p>I am always trying to be a better person, mother, wife and friend. And on lucky\u00a0days, I make a little progress.<\/p>\n<p>Who do you most admire in Tampa?<\/p>\n<p>All single parents raising children. Parenting is absolutely exhausting (as much as\u00a0it is rewarding), and I tip my hat to those who manage it on their own.<\/p>\n<p>Outside of charity work, what inspires you?<\/p>\n<p>My daughters. They inspire me to be better.<\/p>\n<p>Now that we\u2019re entering the holiday season, what is one of your favorite\u00a0memories with your family?<\/p>\n<p>I had a fun and interesting childhood growing up in Kentucky. My parents were\u00a0devout Hindus, and yet, my mom still embraced the traditions she learned while\u00a0going to a Catholic boarding school in Burma. I absolutely loved the blending of\u00a0customs which became commonplace in our home. It was fabulous having spicy\u00a0Indian butter chicken (see recipe) for Christmas dinner!<\/p>\n<p>Who is your favorite fictional hero?<\/p>\n<p>Yoda from Star Wars! I love when he tells Luke, \u201cDo or do not&#8230; there is no try.\u201d\u00a0Classic!<\/p>\n<p>What advice would you pass on to younger generations?<\/p>\n<p>Work hard and take risks. It\u2019s an awesome combination.<\/p>\n<p>What is your motto or words you live by?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI want to be thoroughly used up when I die.\u201d -George Bernard Shaw<\/p>\n<p>Asha Rai\u2019s Indian Butter Chicken<\/p>\n<p>Serves 4:<\/p>\n<p>Ingredients<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 1 tablespoon olive oil<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 2 small white onions, chopped<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 2 tablespoons butter<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 2 teaspoons lemon juice<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 3 tablespoons fresh ginger<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 3 tablespoons fresh garlic<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 1 teaspoon garam masala<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 1 teaspoon chili powder<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 1 teaspoon ground cumin<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 1 bay leaf<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 1\/4 cup plain yogurt<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 1 cup half-and-half<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 1 cup stewed tomatoes<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 1\/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 1 pinch salt<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 1 pinch black pepper<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 1 tablespoon olive oil<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken, cut in small cubes<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 1 teaspoon garam masala<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 1 pinch cayenne pepper<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 1 teaspoon cornstarch<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 1\/4 cup water<\/p>\n<p>Instructions<\/p>\n<p>1. Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Saut\u00e9\u00a0onion until soft and slightly brown. Stir in butter, lemon juice, ginger, garam\u00a0masala, chili powder, cumin and bay leaf. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add\u00a0tomatoes, and stir for another 2 minutes. Add half-and-half and yogurt. Reduce\u00a0heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add salt and\u00a0pepper. Reduce heat to warm.<\/p>\n<p>2. Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a big skillet over medium heat. Cook\u00a0chicken cubes until lightly browned. Stir in garam masala and cayenne, and\u00a0then half a cup of sauce from Step 1. Simmer until liquid has reduced, and\u00a0chicken is thoroughly cooked. Add chicken to sauce.<\/p>\n<p>3. Blend cornstarch and water, then stir into the sauce. Cook for about 10\u00a0minutes, or until thickened.<\/p>\n<p>4. Serve with naan or basmati rice. Enjoy! Namaste!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Renu Parker South Tampa resident Renu Parker has had a dynamic life. Raised in Kentucky, she\u00a0went on to become a New York City attorney for a large non-profit and eventually\u00a0made her way to Tampa where she lives with her husband Jud and two daughters,\u00a0Ava and Suri, works as a consultant and gives back to the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":518,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[134,5,1768],"tags":[1485,1486],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/506"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=506"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/506\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/518"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=506"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=506"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=506"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}