November 4, 5:00 P.M. Party Time!: Malai’s Delicious Diwali Celebration
November 04, 2023 05:00 PM
Featuring Sweet and Savory Bites, Cocktails, Gifts from South Asian Women-Owned Food Brands, and More
25 11th Ave, New York, NY 10011, USA
Join us for a special celebration of Diwali, the Malai way! Founded by Pooja Bavishi, Malai is much more than an ice cream company, it is a brand driven by stories of Pooja’s childhood and upbringing as a first-generation Indian American. The true inspiration behind those beloved Malai flavors, however, is Chhaya Bavishi, Pooja's mother, who will join her at this one-of-a-kind Diwali celebration, spotlighting South Asian women in the culinary field.
Guests will enjoy plenty of savory and sweet passed bites inspired by the signature ice cream and sorbet flavors that have put Malai on the map. The menu will be expertly paired with wines, courtesy of South Asian woman–owned Naidu Wines, and specially crafted signature cocktails made with Stranger & Sons Gin designed by sommelier and Kalamata’s Kitchen co-founder Sarah Thomas.
All attendees will leave with a gift bag brimming with goodies from some of Malai’s favorite South Asian women–owned brands. Discover delights from Brooklyn Delhi, Paro, Woops!, Kola Goodies, Cardoz Legacy, The Chai Box, Brightland, One Stripe Chai, and more.
Don’t miss out on this once-a-year, festive Diwali party!
General Admission : $85
MENU
Welcome Drink
Mint Nimbu Pani > Spiced Lemonade with Black Salt, Chaat Masala, and Mint
Savory Bites
Papad Rolls > Crispy Lentil Crêpes with Paneer, Amul Cheese, Chilies, Cilantro, and Corn
Bhel Puri > Wheat Crackers, Roasted Rice Puffs, and Crunchy Noodles with Onions, Tomatoes, Pomegranate, Peanuts, and Cilantro, Chili, and Curry Leaf Dry Chutney
Vada Pav > Potato Cutlet Sandwich with Date Chutney, Cilantro Chutney, Garlic–Coconut Dried Chutney, and Chickpea Flour Crisps
Sweet Bites
Ghughra Tart > Pastry Dough with Almonds, Cashews, Cardamom, Milk Powder, and Ghee Topped with Almond Chocolate and Nuts
Ras Malai Tiramisù > Rose-Milk–Soaked Ladyfingers with Saffron–Paneer Cream, Cardamom Sugar, and Rose Petals
Kaju Katli Mini Kulfi Pop > Cashew Fudge–Flavored Kulfi Pop with Edible Silver Foil
Nightcap
Mukhwas and Masala Chai > Sweetened Tea Brewed with a Spice Blend Passed Down from Pooja's Grandmother
Cocktails created by Sarah Thomas
Star Anise Sparkler > Tart Cherry Juice with Star Anise Syrup and Bubbles
Pineapple–Pink Peppercorn Gimlet > Pineapple Juice with Lemon, Stranger & Sons Gin, Pink Peppercorn Syrup, and Soda
Stranger & Sons Gibson > Stranger & Sons Gin with Vermouth, Brine, and Pickle
Wine Pairings
Naidu Rosé of Pinot Noir 2021
Naidu Brut Sparkling Wine NV
Naidu Catie’s Corner Grenache Blanc 2021
Naidu Pinot Noir 2021
Gift Bag Partners:
Malai, Brooklyn Delhi, Paro, Woops!, Kola Goodies, Cardoz Legacy, The Chai Box, Brightland, One Strip Chai, Elements Truffles
Gin generously donated by Stranger & Sons Gin, crafted and distilled in India with nine Indian botanicals.
Award-winning small-batch wines generously donated by Naidu Wines.
About Pooja Bavishi
Pooja Bavishi is the founder and CEO of Malai, an artisanal ice cream company with flavors inspired by nostalgic, aromatic spices and South Asian ingredients, based in Brooklyn, New York. Pooja founded Malai when she discovered that the same spices of her childhood—ginger, rose petals, saffron, and cardamom—could be used to robustly flavor ice creams in a way that she had never tasted before. She notes that she “founded Malai because desserts bring people joy, and I wanted to be in the business of delivering happiness.”
Pooja continues to craft all of Malai's flavors and distributes them through various channels, including a storefront in Brooklyn, selling pints nationwide in grocery stores, and online. She has claimed the title of “champion” after winning a battle on Food Network’s Chopped Sweets in March of 2020. Pooja holds a B.A. from UNC-Chapel Hill, an M.S. from the London School of Economics, and an M.B.A. from NYU. She is a 2018 Tory Burch Foundation Fellow and was named one of Inc. Magazine’s Female Founders 100 in October 2020.
Tickets to events held at Platform at Pier 57 by the James Beard Foundation cover the cost of food, education and a unique dining experience. Meals are prepared by culinary masters from all regions of the United States and around the world. Unless otherwise stated, alcoholic beverages are provided on a complimentary basis and are not included in the ticket price.
James Beard Foundation events permit guests age 21 years and older to attend events where alcoholic beverages are served.