Shows
Food with Mark BittmanPooja Bavishi: “You Can’t Get More Americana Than Ice Cream”The up and coming queen of ice cream talks to Mark and Kate about how her ice cream brand, Malai, mimics her childhood; what it means to build your own culture; sourcing intentionally with no shortcuts—and why having a values-driven business is so important to her; and why her parents are the best people ever (and her #1 fans). The Bittman Project is featuring three recipes from Pooja Bavishi's book, Malai:Cold Coffee Milkshake: https://bittmanproject.com/recipe/cold-coffee-milkshake/Chocolate Cardamom Sauce: https://bittmanproject.com/recipe/chocolate-cardamom-sauce/Crunc...2025-08-0629 min
Everything Cookbooks138: Writing a Cookbook Based Around Her Ice Cream Brand with Pooja BavishiKristin and Kate speak with Pooja Bavishi, the founder of Malai Ice Cream, about her debut cookbook. They ask Pooja about her company's history from stand to scoop shop, why she wanted to revolutionize ice cream by highlighting South Asian flavors and why now was the right time to write a book—even when many publishing professionals told her to wait a year or two. She takes us through the expectations vs. the realities that came up while writing, how she got connected to her agent and why the photoshoot was wildly different from what she expected. Finally she sh...2025-07-2343 min
The Hungry Immigrant“I want to be everyone’s favorite ice cream” | Pooja Bavishi, Malai Ice CreamMalai Ice Cream, a brand redefining what ice cream can be by infusing South Asian flavors into an American classic. Behind the brand, there’s Pooja, the founder of Malai and Malai is her love letter to her identity, culture, and community. We dive into how she is embracing her Gujarati-American roots to challenging what "authenticity" means in food, expect laughs, spice, a honest conversation about what it means to belong.📣 GET 15% OFF SCOPES!! 🍨Use code HungryImmigrantPodcast at any Malai store to enjoy the offer - limited to the month of July only!2025-07-1639 min
She's My Cherry PieIce Cream Drumsticks With Pooja Bavishi Of MalaiToday’s guest is entrepreneur and ice cream queen Pooja Bavishi of Malai Ice Cream, a Brooklyn-based brand redefining frozen desserts with bold South Asian flavors. She’s also the author of the new cookbook “Malai: Frozen Desserts Inspired by South Asian flavors.” Pooja joins host Jessie Sheehan to talk about her chai-inspired “hybrid identity,” her passion for experimenting with unconventional flavor pairings, and the ginger and star anise ice creams that sparked the inspiration to create Malai. Then, the duo dive into her recipe for Malai Drumsticks from her book, which incorporates Spiced Peanut Crunch Ice Cream, Jagger...2025-05-1751 min
This Is TASTEIt's Always Ice Cream Season with Tyler Malek (Salt & Straw) & Pooja Bavishi (Malai)Today is all about ice cream, and we have two guests who know the business inside and out. Tyler Malek is the cofounder and head chef of Salt & Straw, a cult-followed ice cream chain with scoop shops across the country. Based in Portland, Oregon, Salt & Straw is known for churning out the most imaginative ice cream flavors around. In the new cookbook America’s Most Iconic Ice Creams, Tyler takes a look at the classics with fresh eyes, then branches out into new territory. Aliza had so much fun having Tyler in the studio to nerd out on ice cr...2025-04-281h 15
The FeedfeedChanging the Ice Cream World with Pooja BavishiPooja 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 – such as ginger, rose petals, saffron, and cardamom - could be used to robustly flavor ice creams in a way that she had never tasted before. On this episode, we chat all things ice cream, as well as Pooja's culinary journey and inspirations!Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Th...2024-01-1832 min
Washington Post LiveSen. Ben Cardin and entrepreneurs on small business resilienceWashington Post deputy business editor Damian Paletta speaks with Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, about the state of small business in the United States, and economics correspondent Abha Bhattarai speaks with Pooja Bavishi, founder & CEO of Malai, Angel Gregorio, founder & owner of The Spice Suite and Ifat Pridan, founder & owner of LiLi The First, about how they navigate today’s economic uncertainties and seize new opportunities to grow.
Conversation recorded on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023.2023-09-271h 09
But What Will People SayBlending Ice Cream & Culture with Pooja Bavishi of MALAISend us a textPooja Bavishi is the founder of Malai ice cream, a South Asian inspired ice cream company. We chat the nostalgia of ice cream, the joy of building a brand based in passion and purpose, and serving flavors that tell Pooja's story. Follow MALAI on IG @malai_icecream ***BWWPS will return with regularly scheduled episodes in September***BWWPS Guest ApplicationDishaMazepa.comSHOP: Disha Mazepa Designs on EtsyBe sure to SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE US A REVIEW if you enjoyed the show. Follow me on Instagram...2023-06-2849 min
South Asian TrailblazersPooja Bavishi, Founder & CEO of Malai IcecreamSend us a textMeet Pooja Bavishi, Founder and CEO of Malai, a trailblazer who is sure to pique your interest and... your sweet tooth. Malai is an artisanal ice cream company, with flavors inspired by the nostalgic, aromatic spices and ingredients of South Asian culture. Pooja had always wanted to be in the business of delivering happiness, AKA desserts, and in 2015, she founded Malai following her graduation from the NYU Stern School of Business. She is incredibly hands-on in the everyday of Malai's operations, including in the creation of their ice cream flavors (from...2023-03-2852 min
EkWomenEkWomen Episode 18: Pooja BavishiPooja Bavishi not only founded her artisanal ice cream brand, Malai, but is one of Inc Magazine's 100 female founders in October 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-03-1435 min
Business WarsHäagen-Dazs vs Ben & Jerry's | The New TastemakersHaagen Dazs and Ben & Jerry’s revolutionized the ice cream industry by raising the standard for the frozen treat and pioneering new styles and flavors. Now, new ice cream mavericks are on the scene, raising both the caliber and cost of pints.Be prepared to get hungry as food journalist Charlotte Druckman walks us through the artisanal, ultra-premium ice cream scene, which she documented in an article for Eater. Later, Pooja Bavishi, founder of the Brooklyn-based ice cream shop Malai, shares her insights on building her business — and how Malai’s unique flavors are expand...2022-06-2237 min
Down to BrownPooja dreams of ice creams (Pooja Bavishi, Malai) Pooja Bavishi of Malai ice cream in Brooklyn, NY, talks to Lahari about how her personal journey of being a Desi immigrant shaped the stories she wanted to tell about her identity and culture. She turned to a creative outlet to tell this story - ice cream. We cover the joy of giving joy to others, finding a place you feel understood, and loads of facts about ice cream! Listen to this episode curious and hungry.Follow the podcast on https://www.instagram.com/downtobrown_/2021-08-051h 04
So What Exactly Do You Do?Pooja Bavishi - Founder and CEO of MalaiIn this podcast, I speak with Pooja Bavishi from MalaiWe discuss:- How she comes up with these unique products- How she got started- Challenges faced - How the pandemic affected her business- Advice for entrepreneursCheck out her website at : https://www.malai.co/How it's made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9ZBQj4KunA&ab_channel=InsiderBook recommendations:But You're Still So Young: basically about how 30 somethings are redefining expectations and what we want out of...2021-03-1037 min
What a Cool JobPooja Bavishi from Malai Ice Cream: On building an ice cream brand, culture through food and flavor, and being an entrepreneurWelcome to fill the teapot, a podcast sharing stories and conversations from inspiring brand builders, change makers and voices from the Asian American community. In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Pooja Bavishi, CEO and founder of Malai, an artisanal ice cream company with flavors inspired by nostalgic, aromatic spices, global and South Asian ingredients, based in Brooklyn, New York. Pooja founded Malai when she discovered that the same spices of her childhood could be used to flavor ice creams in a way that she hadn’t tasted before. Malai now distributes their ice cream through various channels, includ...2020-12-1159 min
GourmandEp. 5: Pooja Bavishi (Malai)Today we are here to talk about all things ice cream with Pooja Bavishi, founder of Malai in Brooklyn, NY. You may know Malai for their unique take on ice cream, with flavors ranging from rose with cinnamon roasted almonds to red chili chocolate.
Today we chat about Pooja’s childhood and her love of desserts inspired by Mrs. Fields cookies, how a Friendsgiving kicked off Pooja’s ice cream journey, and flavor combinations inspired by Pooja’s upbringing. Let’s dig in.
This episode uses Royalty Free Music - (Music: www.bensound.com)2020-11-1330 min
Radio Cherry BombeHow to Launch an Ice Cream Business with Malai’s Pooja BavishiPooja Bavishi knew she wanted to be in the dessert business, but she never envisioned herself as an ice cream entrepreneur. Then one year, during her annual Friendsgiving celebration, she broke out an ice cream maker her parents had given her and made two ice creams: ginger and star anise. Her friends raved and Pooja knew it was her a-ha moment. Fast forward: Pooja’s Malai ice cream is a growing brand with national distribution through Goldbelly and its own scoop shop in Brooklyn. Malai specializes in global flavors with a twist, many of which celebrate Pooja’s Indian heri...2020-08-0743 min
Radio Cherry BombeNatasha Pickowicz on the Plight of Pastry ChefsAward-winning pastry chefs around the country have been furloughed or let go from their positions as restaurants struggle to deal with the ramifications of the coronavirus. “It doesn’t matter if you won a James Beard Award. It doesn’t matter if you are the most visible figure on a restaurant staff,” says Natasha Pickowicz. “At the end of the day, I think pastry in restaurants and fine dining restaurants is at a critical juncture.” Natasha, one of the most celebrated and visible pastry chefs in New York City and well-known for spearheading an annual Planned Parenthood bake sale, lost her job...2020-07-1144 min
In the SauceWomen Makers: Raising the Bar (LIVE at Whole Foods Market Tribeca)In this special live episode of In The Sauce - Ali joins Whole Foods Market Tribeca to celebrate women makers across the country who raise the bar! Recorded on February 27th, 2020: We hear from a diverse group of women how they have overcome adversity to create products we love. Our panelists include: Maria Loi of Loi, Pooja Bavishi of Malai, Homa Dashtaki of White Moustache, Essie Bartels of Essiespice, and Janie Deegan of Janie’s Life-Changing Baked Goods.In The Sauce is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pri...2020-04-241h 03
In the SauceEpisode 52: Building Beyond Chocolate and VanillaPooja Bavishi is the founder of Malai, the crazy-delicious, Indian-influenced ice cream. On this episode of ITS, Pooja and Ali discuss building a CPG brand at the same time as brick and mortar and catering businesses. They discuss the different types of entrepreneurs, what steps Pooja first took after she decided to bite the ice cream bullet, and why proving your concept is perhaps the most valuable time and money you can spend.Join Heritage Radio Network on Monday, November 11th, for a raucous feast to toast a decade of food radio. Our tenth anniversary bacchanal is...2019-10-2355 min
IRATE with Katherine SprungIRATE with Katherine Sprung - Pooja BavishiCatch Pooja Bavishi of Malai, where we talk about going from Urban Planning to wanting to have a dessert business, debunking the idea that long food lines equals the best food, and gracefully combatting the worst fake reviews. Katherine Sprung goes through the good, bad, and ugly online ratings and reviews of guest business owners in the food and beverage industry, in an open conversation. Expect honesty, comedy, and insight into the world of hospitality and its customers. Katherine Sprung, a 5 year business owner in the food industry, with 4 additional years of hospitality experience, working i...2019-09-111h 09
Stern ChatsPooja Bavishi: Entrepreneurship, the Importance of Your Roots, and an Ice Cream Flavor for Stern Stern alum, Pooja Bavishi, joins us to discuss how Stern helped her go from urban planner to ice cream entrepreneur.2019-02-2843 min
Stern ChatsPooja Bavishi: Entrepreneurship, the Importance of Your Roots, and an Ice Cream Flavor for SternStern alum, Pooja Bavishi, joins us to discuss how Stern helped her go from urban planner to ice cream entrepreneur.2019-02-2843 min
Keep It Quirky podcastStaying On Brand & the Power of Nostalgia with Pooja Bavishi of Malai Ice CreamPooja Bavishi is the founder of Malai Ice Cream, which has been called “a taste of India in a cone.” (via Thrillist) Before starting Malai, Pooja worked in Fair and Affordable Housing and then got her Masters in Urban Planning. She then pivoted and went to business school, which set in motion her dream of owning a dessert business. In this episode, Pooja and I talk about the importance of determining a strong brand off the bat - and how to do that - as well as acknowledging and incorporating unforeseen aspects, such as the importance of a direct-to-consumer model for...2018-09-2600 min
Why Food?Episode 55: Pooja Bavishi: From Public Policy to Ice CreamPooja’s interest in cooking started as a child in North Carolina, watching the early versions of cooking shows on television and then trying to recreate the recipes in the kitchen herself. Though she pursued other interests in fair and affordable housing through the non-profit sector, she continued to follow her ice cream-making hobby. She was particularly inspired by the blank palate of an ice cream base, when she discovered that the same spices of her parents’ Indian cooking – ginger, rose petals, saffron, and cardamom - could be used to robustly flavor ice creams in a way that she never...2018-09-1459 min