Food is the best connector we have.
At Powered by Authenticity, we couldn’t agree more—and this week, we’re thrilled to be joined by Kimberly Behzadi, founder of Read It & Eat Bookshop in Buffalo, New York.
As the first culinary bookstore in Buffalo—and one of only 13 in the entire country—Read It & Eat is more than a bookstore. It’s a space filled with flavor, heart, and purpose.
In this episode, Kim shares how she blended her love of cooking, reading, and connection to bring her business to life during the pandemic. What began as a monthly subscription box has now grown into a beautiful brick-and-mortar location offering books, events, and community—a true gathering place.
We also talk about how this journey aligned with a deeply personal chapter in Kim’s life. With her father living far away and unable to see him during COVID, Kim turned to daily walks and business planning as part of her healing. Their shared love of cooking became a bridge across the miles, and even now, when she misses him, she reconnects through the food they loved together.
Kim’s story is also one of community impact. From her beginnings in Chicago to her growth in Buffalo, she’s made giving back a cornerstone of her business—supporting local organizations and creating meaningful ties with the people around her. From the start, a portion of her revenue has been devoted to distributing across community organizations.
I can’t thank Kim enough for joining us and sharing the heart behind Read It & Eat Bookshop. Her journey is a reminder that when we gather around food, books, and shared stories—we’re building something far bigger than business. We’re building community.
More about Kim:
Kimberly Behzadi, MBA | LinkedIn
Kimberly Behzadi is a food lover, marketer, and community builder based in Buffalo, NY. With seven years of experience in the consumer-packaged goods industry, she has helped bring popular products like plant-based milks, Planters snack nuts, and Halo Top ice cream to market.
Driven by a deeper curiosity about food origins and the people behind them, Kimberly launched Read It & Eat Boxes in 2020 from her Chicago apartment. Read It & Eat Box—a culinary book box subscription that pairs food writing with artisan treats and gives back to hunger-fightingorganizations . Since then, her initiative has partnered with over 15 nonprofits and now specifically partners with non-profits in Buffalo, NY. Her boxes have been featured in Book Riot, The New York Post, and Real Homes.
In 2023, she expanded the concept into Buffalo’s first culinarybookstore, Read It & Eat Bookshop, originally inside the West Side Bazaar and now part of the women-led Valvaere Collective. Most recently featured in USA Today, the Read It & Eat Bookshop is on a mission to inspire culinaryadventure with a curated selection of cookbooks, author chats, and cooking classes. Kimberly also founded the annual Read It & Eat Book Fair and Market, which celebrated its third year in 2025.
Links to Referenced Materials:
https://www.ted.com/speakers/nora_mcinernyFood of Life
Ancient Persian and Modern Iranian Cooking and Ceremonies
(Author)
