Celebration of Sweetness with Malai Ice Cream

​Join the New York Public Library for a Celebration of Sweetness in partnership with Malai Ice Cream! This event is part of the World Literature and Arts Festival, taking place in-person at Seward Park Library.

Celebrate the sweetness of life and the release of the Malai Cookbook with Malai Ice Cream, featuring a discussion about the book with founder Pooja Bavishi and Farideh Sadeghin followed by a lively performance by local drag performer Malai! Immerse yourself in the delicious, unique flavors of Malai's artisanal ice cream with special treats straight from the cookbook, which will be available at the event, while enjoying a discussion and performance that combines both the creativity and sweetness of South Asian desserts. 

Register now! This event will take place in person and online. 

To join the event in person | Please register for an In-Person Ticket. Doors will open 30 minutes before the program begins. For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission. 

To join the event online | Please register for an Online Ticket. A livestream of this event will be available on Zoom webinar. To receive an email reminder with the livestream link in advance of the event, please be sure to register! 

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

The New York Public Library’s World Literature & Arts Festival (April 14–30, 2025) brings together trailblazers from diverse disciplines and backgrounds to celebrate storytelling and spotlight NYC’s vibrant communities. Join us for free events, programs, book recommendations, and resources for all ages.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

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. Inspired by the spices of her childhood—ginger, rose petals, fennel, saffron, cardamom—Pooja opened Malai in 2015 to offer a unique ice cream experience that blends her rich culinary heritage with everyone’s favorite frozen dessert. She has since won Food Network’s Chopped Sweets competition, was recognized as one of Inc. Magazine’s Female Founders 100, and was named a Tory Burch Foundation Fellow.

Farideh Sadeghin is a recipe developer, video host and producer, and regular contributor to Saveur Magazine, The New York Times, and Gothamist. When she's not riding her bike around NYC exploring restaurants and neighborhoods, you can find her hosting friends on her rooftop or traveling somewhere new.

Malai is an Indian drag queen who’s name translates in Hindi to ‘cream’. She was born and raised in a small town in India; and is the brainchild of Badal- an architect who currently resides in Queens. Malai is known for her unique brand of performances that incapsulate ingenious lip-sync performances and stand-up acts. Malai’s first drag peformance was at the age of 12, when she performed a traditional ‘Laavni’ (Maharashtrian folk) number in high school. Malai routinely hosts Bollywood drag brunches; and Bollywood dance nights with the queer group Yuva. Malai is the founder of ‘Queer Brown History’- an online compendium of of archived South-Asian queer histories.

ABOUT MALAI ICE CREAM

Founded in 2015 by Pooja Bavishi, Malai is a Brooklyn-based company revolutionizing the ice cream experience by using vibrant South Asian spices and ingredients as a nod to Pooja’s first generation Indian-American upbringing. Malai’s ice creams are innovative and celebrated for their robust flavors and creamy textures, offering an indulgence that is both nostalgic and unique.

BOOKS & MORE 

Discover more books and ideas tied to this program in The New York Public Library's collections. 

• Borrow: NYPL Catalog


• E-Book app: SimplyE, available on iOS and Android

Don't have a New York Public Library card? Get one here!

If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or suspect you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, please stay home.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTES

In-Person

• Assistive listening devices and/or hearing loops are available at the venue. 


• You can request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation or CART (Communication Access Real-Time Translation) captioning service by emailing your request at least two weeks in advance of the event: email accessibility@nypl.org.


• This venue is fully accessible to wheelchairs.

Livestream

• Live captioning will be provided.


• You can request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation by emailing your request at least two weeks in advance of the event: email accessibility@nypl.org.

CONNECT WITH US

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For questions and inquiries, please email adultprogramming@nypl.org

Please submit all press inquiries at least 48 hours before the event: email press@nypl.org.

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