Our Big Week in the Big Apple 🍎

It’s been a while, friends — and for good reason. We’ve just returned from an unforgettable week in New York City. As we shared earlier, this trip was a huge milestone for us. It felt like the true test of our little brand, dropped right into the electric heart of the food world.

Because here’s the thing about NYC: it’s a place of boundless energy, where cultures collide and new ideas take their first breath. It’s the stage where you go when you’re serious — really serious — about what you’re building. And on this trip, we didn’t just have one event lined up, but several, each one more high-stakes than the last.

The joy of dosa-making at Bon Appétit

Bon Appétit and Fancy Food Roundup image

Our first stop? The Bon Appétit Test Kitchen. Yes, that Bon Appétit. We were there to demo dosa-making to their incredible team — people we’ve long admired for their passion, their trend-spotting instincts, and their genuine love for all things food.

Naturally, we were nervous. After all, these are people who live and breathe food. In our minds, they’d already tried everything under the sun — would they even be impressed?

But from the moment we started, it couldn’t have gone better. We arrived with our little setup, our dosa party cards, and our carefully packed ingredients. Yet the true highlight was watching the simple magic of dosa-making take over. There’s something deeply joyful about spreading batter on a hot pan, hearing it sizzle, waiting for it to crisp. It’s tactile, fragrant, immersive — like making bread dough or throwing pottery, a slow art that invites all your senses in.

No wonder it was the hit of the day. Well, almost the biggest hit. Because right beside the dosa station, we laid out our line of PODIs. Guests paired them with a drizzle of ghee or Greek yogurt, and torn pieces of fresh dosa, tasting each in turn, debating favorites. As it happens, the Crunchy Peanut and Zesty Coriander PODIs won the most hearts. They’re both packed with unmistakable aroma and flavor — the sort that instantly hooks newcomers and longtime podi-lovers alike.

Sharing stories (and PODIs) at Fontainhas

Later that same day, we made our way to Fontainhas — a warm, charming cafe in Brooklyn that describes itself as a home for chai, chaat, and all the rituals that make South Asian culture so vibrant. Named after the Latin Quarter in Goa, Fontainhas feels rooted in history yet completely of the moment: a place that celebrates warm flavors and joyful connection.

There, we presented to a gathering of fellow founders, food champions, and enthusiasts eager to explore South Asian flavors. It was incredibly special to connect one-on-one with people who care so deeply about our culinary traditions — people curious about the wealth of artisanal, underexplored treasures from our part of the world.

It was also a proud moment to see our PODIs on the shelves of the Fontainhas Dukaan and woven into their café menu. As a direct-to-consumer brand, we don’t always get these face-to-face moments. Many of you reach out so generously over social or email (for which we’re endlessly grateful!), but there’s nothing quite like watching someone discover your flavors in person.

The spectacle (and stakes) of the Fancy Food Show ✨

Then came the big one: the Fancy Food Show. It is the largest specialty food event in North America: over 1,800 brands from around the world pack the cavernous Javits Center, drawing more than 30,000 gourmet retailers, chefs, trend hunters, and food journalists, all deciding what lands on your shelves (and your plate) next.

Why do these expos matter so much? It reminds us of that iconic scene in The Devil Wears Prada — where Miranda Priestly explains to Andy that even her “lumpy blue sweater” exists because of decisions made by people in rooms like theirs. In much the same way, long before influencers tell us what’s cool, it’s often buyers, trend forecasters, and retailers at shows like this who decide what eventually lands on your plate.

Walking the endless aisles of the Javits Center, it’s astonishing to realize just how many brands are vying for attention. It’s a tidal wave of products, all hoping to be the next big thing. We’d be lying if we said we weren’t a bundle of nerves setting up our modest booth alongside seasoned veterans — brands with deep pockets, gleaming displays, and decades of industry connections.

“All it took is a little whiff ” 👃

But we had a secret weapon. As we encouraged visitors to come sample our PODIs, we insisted on a little smell journey before a taste journey.

Unlike many CPG brands that outsource production, we make our PODIs ourselves. That means complete control over quality, flavor, and the standards of exacting cooks (like my amma!). The result? Fragrant, deeply roasted, fresh-as-can-be PODIs that practically pull people in by the nose.

We were surprised — and thrilled — by how many people stopped, tried, and stayed.

Many were intrigued by our booth tagline that said “lentil seasonings.” We’d get asked, “Oh, are these seasonings for lentils?” — which opened the door to share how our PODIs are made from roasted lentils, nuts, and spices, bringing an entirely different texture and umami. How it is a centuries-old tradition in South India. Watching the delight on people’s faces as they tried them was unforgettable.

A proud moment for South Asian culinary creativity 🌶

It was also amazing to see how many other South Asian brands were there, shaking up the space with creativity and bold new takes. South Asian cooks have long excelled at interpreting flavors from around the world with resourcefulness and flair, so it’s no surprise we’re seeing more of that disruptive energy on a global stage. From giving spices and cooking techniques to the world, to reimagining international concepts in uniquely South Asian ways, the ingenuity is endless.

To stand among them, sharing our little jars of PODI, was humbling and deeply affirming.

How dare we? (Because of you.) ❤️

In the end, we kept circling back to one thought: How dare we?

How dare we, a tiny brand with no food industry background or fancy connections, show up to a trade show like this for the very first time, hoping to catch the eye of buyers who’ve been coming here for decades?

We dared because of you. Because of your love, your enthusiasm, and your willingness to embrace these flavors and this journey with us. You’ve given us the courage to show up on big stages, stay authentic (no cultural dilution here!), and believe that there’s room at the table for our stories.

So from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Here’s to an incredible week in NYC, and to everything we’re building together from here. 🚀

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