Discussion from 6:00PM-7:00PM
Reception with food tasting to follow after the discussion.

Join us for an engaging exploration of how Indian cuisine has transformed and flourished in America and around the world — culminating in a new era of culinary innovation in New York City. From humble beginnings in neighborhood eateries to the rise of Indian chefs leading Michelin-starred kitchens, the journey of Indian food reflects a powerful story of adaptation, creativity, and cultural pride. This event will spotlight trailblazing chefs, restaurateurs, and culinary storytellers who are redefining what Indian food can be. We’ll explore how traditional flavors are being reimagined in contemporary kitchens, and how Indian cuisine is influencing global dining trends. Through conversation, tastings, and community, we celebrate the past, present, and exciting future of Indian food in NYC and beyond.

Hear it from those who know it best with Unapologetic Food's Roni Mazumdar, author and founder of Maya Kaimal Foods’ Maya Kaimal, and Junoon & Jazba's Hemant Pathak. How are they representing tradition amidst modernity? What are the unique challenges faced by Indian restaurants? How are they keeping pace with changing food trends as customer tastes and preferences have evolved over the years? Moderated by The Culture Tree's Anu Sehgal.

Speakers

Roni Mazumdar is the innovative restaurateur behind Unapologetic Foods with partner Chef Chintan Pandya, which owns and operates Adda Indian Canteen, Dhamaka, Semma, Rowdy Rooster, Masalawala & Sons, Naks and soon to come Kebabwala. Among many accolades and awards per restaurant, Semma was met with critical acclaim by reviewers and earned a Michelin star. He is an active voice in speaking out on behalf of the future of the restaurant industry and the AAPI experience. He is on the board of the National Restaurant Association. Eater named them as part of their New Guards of New York Dining. Crain’s New York Business honored him with placement on their prestigious 40 Under 40 Class of 2020 list, Bloomberg's BusinessWeek named them as part of the People that Defined Global Business in 2021, Food & Wine named the pair as one of 16 people and companies changing the way we eat and drink in 2022, and in 2023 they were #3 on the Observer’s Dining and Nightlife Power. His philosophy of business is continually met with a mind for philanthropy and community. He's involved with Accion, contributed a dish to Leyla Moushabeck’s The Immigrant Cookbook, is part of City Harvest's Food Council, and No Kid Hungry whose mission is to end childhood hunger.

Maya Kaimal is the founder of the premium Indian food brand, Maya Kaimal Foods. A cookbook author and former photo editor of Saveur magazine, she was raised in Boston and Boulder by two talented cooks -- an American mother and Indian father. She attended Pomona College where she majored in studio art. Her father’s roots in Kerala remain a key source of inspiration for her and she has written extensively about South Indian cuisine for Food & Wine, Saveur, and Gourmet magazines. Her first cookbook Curried Favors: Family Recipes from South India received the International Association of Culinary Professionals' Julia Child Award. In 2003, she and her husband, journalist Guy Lawson, launched her namesake line of products from their apartment in Brooklyn to introduce high quality all-natural Indian foods to the American kitchen. Maya Kaimal products have won many industry awards and is now available in over 15,000 stores nationwide. Her third cookbook Indian Flavor Every Day was selected as one of the year’s best by The New York Times in 2023. She lives with her husband and daughters in New York’s Hudson Valley.

Hemant Pathak is Head of Bars & General Manager to an acclaimed Indian establishment named Junoon & Jazba. He is an award winning mixologist, and serves up inventive takes on classic cocktails driven by India's bold and diverse flavors. The cocktail program offers familiar flavor profiles infused with unexpected sweet, smoky, and savory elements from distinct Indian ingredients. Raised in the foothills of the Himalayas with tradition all around him, he began his journey in hospitality at the Taj Palace, Delhi. After winning the Diageo world class and Bacardi Legacy, he moved to New York, where he now calls home. One of his creations, the Mumbai Margarita, was among the seven best margaritas worldwide in 2017. 

Anu Sehgal (moderator) is a children’s author and the Founder/CEO of The Culture Tree, the largest cultural literacy and language education company for kids focusing on South Asia. Anu believes awareness of one’s heritage, culture, and language is key for children to become self-aware and confident individuals. She holds an MBA from Yale University and has worked in the corporate sector for almost 15 years. She has received several awards and recognitions for her work in cultural literacy. Anu has written five books that represent stories and languages of India.

Partners

The Culture Tree promotes cultural literacy about South Asia through language and educational & cultural programs. Our goal is to create empathy, respect and understanding towards all different cultures and further inclusivity, while still helping address questions about Identity with heritage cultures

This program is part of the Asian Diaspora Project, which is supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).