Malai

When Pooja Bavishi founded Malai in 2015, she set out to do more than just make dessert; she wanted to be in the business of delivering happiness. Inspired by the aromatic spices of her first-generation Indian-American upbringing—like ginger, saffron, and cardamom—Pooja has built a Brooklyn-based brand that is revolutionizing the frozen treat category. By blending rich cultural heritage with innovative, eggless formulations, Malai offers an indulgence that is simultaneously nostalgic and entirely unique.

Malai’s ice creams are celebrated for their robust flavors and creamy textures, available in a variety of forms from kulfi pops to ice cream sandos. In this episode, we discuss Pooja’s journey from a Brooklyn startup to a multi-city scoop shop operation and how she leverages her deep culinary and business expertise to keep Malai at the forefront of innovation.

Inside the Episode:

• How the vision for Malai started more than 10 years ago, fueled by Pooja's lifelong sweet tooth and a deep fascination with the hospitality and joy that surrounds sharing desserts. 

• How Pooja uses traditional South Asian ingredients to create "robust" flavor profiles that challenge the standard vanilla and chocolate norms.

• The strategic roadmap behind moving from a Brooklyn startup to a multi-city scoop shop operation with regional grocery distribution.

This podcast episode was made possible by glimpse

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