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Powerhouse Food: Little India

Tag iconSeries
when
2025
where
Harris Park

Join Bhavna Kalra Shivalkar and Powerhouse Associate Kylie Kwong for a series of dinners that will celebrate Indian food culture in Western Sydney’s Harris Park, well known as Little India. Each dinner, hosted in a local restaurant, will showcase a distinct cooking style and region of India and will follow with a special program featuring tastings by Fatema Khanbhai, founder of The Chai Room; performance by poet Anisha Krishnasamy; and a gift of an ‘Indo-Chinese’ recipe, written specially by Bhavna Kalra Shivalkar and Powerhouse Associate Kylie Kwong.

Featuring

Bhavna Kalra Shivalkar is a Mumbai-born, Sydney-based entrepreneur with 12 years of experience in the food industry, focusing on Indian cuisine and cultural immersion. Bhavna is the founder and CEO of The Modern Desi Co, an Indian food venture in Australia that merges traditional culinary techniques with modern business strategies. Bhavna is known for designing distinctive Indian cooking classes and food tours that provide cultural insights and challenge misconceptions about Indian food.

Kylie Kwong is a Powerhouse Associate working on programs encompassing food, learning and residencies. Kylie is an Australian-Chinese chef who uses food as a catalyst for positive social impact and cultural exchange. In collaboration with artisans, growers, creatives, changemakers and community, she develops initiatives that empower people to rethink food through the lens of sustainability, First Nations traditions and interconnectedness.

Fatema Khanbhai founded The Chai Room in 2014 and is celebrated for her exceptional tea craftsmanship. She skilfully blends traditional chai with global ingredients, creating unique mixtures that nourish both the body and soul. Fatema believes that spice can teach us about tolerance and culture by illustrating how elements come together to form a harmonious blend.

Anisha Krishnasamy is a poet/singer-songwriter based in Western Sydney who discovered her passion for performing and sharing her art after joining the 4ESydney community in Bankstown in 2018. This led her to engage with Bankstown Poetry Slam, a nurturing community platform empowering people to express themselves through spoken-word poetry.

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