Beating the Heat at Talk & Taste Ice Cream Social

Last week, we hosted another edition of the Talk & Taste program at Essex Market featuring two remarkable culinary innovators, Pooja Bavishi and Kristen Kish. Our Talk & Taste evenings are part of our broader mission to foster community and invite more people to experience the unique character of the Lower East Side, bringing together chefs, authors, and food lovers for conversations at the storied Essex Market.

This event was made possible through our partnership with Kitchen Arts & Letters Bookstore, continuing the tradition of celebrating the city's diverse food culture through engaging culinary programs. Our guests discussed their recently released works: Pooja introduced Malai: Frozen Desserts Inspired by South Asian Flavors, while Kristen shared insights from her memoir, Accidentally on Purpose.

Following the Q&A, attendees had the opportunity to have their books signed by both authors while enjoying frozen treats from the Malai ice cream cart and savoring delicious bites courtesy of Essex Market's own Dhamaka restaurant.

Stay tuned for announcements about our upcoming Talk & Taste events!

About Our Guests

Pooja Bavishi is the founder and CEO of Malai, an acclaimed New York-based ice cream company specializing in innovative flavors infused with traditional South Asian ingredients. Drawing inspiration from the spices of her childhood—ginger, rose petals, fennel, saffron, and cardamom—Pooja established Malai in 2015, creating a unique ice cream experience that blends her rich culinary heritage with everyone's favorite frozen dessert. Her accomplishments include winning Food Network's Chopped Sweets competition, recognition as one of Inc. Magazine's Female Founders 100, and being named a Tory Burch Foundation Fellow.

Kristen Kish rose through Boston's competitive kitchens before winning season 10 of Top Chef. Her career has flourished with appearances on shows including Fast Foodies on TruTV, Iron Chef on Netflix, and Restaurants at the End of the World on National Geographic/Disney+. Kristen has become one of the most influential figures in the culinary world, earning spots on prestigious lists such as TIME100's Next, Adweek's Creative 100, Marie Claire's Power, and Variety's 30 Most Powerful Women on Reality TV. She is currently a two-time Emmy-nominated host of Bravo's Top Chef, chef/partner of Arlo Grey in Austin, TX, and a New York Times best-selling author.