I work with a person from Southeast India who eats beef but not pork?

I can tell you for sure she is hiding something from you, this kind of eating habit can only be found in Muslims. In each and every region in India there are Muslims and 99.99% of them are converted. Many of them are converted because they were of lower category in Hindu caste system and had no social standing. I have a doubt if she is telling you the truth about her faith.