Binding Agents: A Cook/Book Shop
908 Christian StreetBinding Agents is thrillled to celebrate the release of Heartland Masala with mother-son duo Jyoti and Auyon Mukharji, in conversation with Malai Ice Cream's Pooja Bavishi!
Filled with rich storytelling, stunning visuals, and a blend of modern and traditional dishes, Heartland Masala is both a heartfelt portrait of one Midwestern family and a practical guide to cooking incredible Indian meals at home. Featuring recipes from Jyoti's blockbuster Indian cooking classes, essays by musician and culinary historian Auyon, and stunning visuals, this beautiful cookbook is playful, informative, and utterly original.
Don’t miss your chance to meet two remarkable storytellers, experience their special book, and explore the rich connections between food, culture, and community.
Guests may choose a ticket with or without a copy of the book. Prices are inclusive of fees and treats. Entrance to the shop requires one step up. Please contact us at hello@bindingagentsphilly.com with any questions or accessibility needs; we'd be happy to help.
About Heartland Masala
"Heartland Masala is a joyful, inspiring cookbook that shows off the dazzling culinary inventiveness of an appealing mother-son cooking duo."—Foreword Reviews, Starred Review
Here’s what makes Heartland Masala special:
• Delicious, Accessible Recipes — 99 carefully tested dishes bring Indian flavors into your kitchen, with ingredients and methods tailored for American home cooks.
• Cultural Essays & Family Stories — Fresh, insightful, and often humorous essays explore the immigrant cooking philosophy, the Mukharjis’ mother-son dynamic, and the many quirks of Indian culinary history.
• Illustrations & Stunning Photography — A 32-page full-color photo insert plus original art make this a gorgeous centerpiece for your kitchen or coffee table.
• Step-by-Step Guidance — Jyoti and Auyon include illustrations that demystify complex techniques, along with spice shopping tips to build confidence and skill.
A feast for culturally curious readers and adventurous cooks alike, Heartland Masala is unlike any Indian cookbook you’ve seen before.
About the Authors
Jyoti Mukharji is a chef, teacher, and retired physician. She immigrated to the US from India in the late 1970s, and she began teaching weekly Indian cooking classes out of her home in Prairie Village, KS in 2010. Jyoti has since welcomed several thousand students into her kitchen, and her writing and teaching have been celebrated in press and radio outlets across the Midwest. Jyoti's team includes her husband Jhulan (art director), her eldest son Arnob (grocery shopping deputy), her middle son Auyon (musical guest), and her youngest son Aroop (copy editor).
Auyon Mukharji is a musician, writer, and culinary historian who spends most of his time thinking about food. He studied biology at Williams College and was awarded a Watson Fellowship in 2007 to study self-expression in folk music. Since 2009, Auyon has toured with, and cooked for, the acclaimed indie-folk band Darlingside. He otherwise finds time to work in and around kitchens (and farms) in both his hometown of Kansas City and his adopted state-of-residence of Massachusetts.
About Pooja Bavishi
Pooja Bavishi is the founder and CEO of Malai, an acclaimed New York-based ice cream company and scoop shop specializing in innovative flavors infused with traditional South Asian ingredients. Inspired by the spices of her childhood—ginger, rose petals, fennel, saffron, and 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. The success of Malai soon led to other accomplishments. She won the Food Network’s Chopped Sweets competition in March 2020, was recognized as one of Inc. magazine’s Female Founders 100 in October 2020, and was named a Tory Burch Foundation Fellow in 2018. Pooja holds a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an MS from the London School of Economics, and an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business.
Nov 11, 2025 5:00 PM-8:15 PM
Binding Agents: A Cook/Book Shop
908 Christian Street
Binding Agents is Philly's bookshop for cooks and eaters. Located in South Philly’s culinary epicenter, the 9th Street Italian Market, we’re your go-to source for new cookbooks and food-focused reads, plus gifts and goods for making, serving and enjoying. We’re independent, women-owned, fun & funky. Learn more at bindingagentsphilly.com.
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