An Evening Celebrating DESI BAKES with Hetal Vasavada

Join Bold Fork Books, Hetal Vasavada, and Jill Nguyen for an evening of conversation and celebration of Hetal's latest cookbook, DESI BAKES: 85 Recipes Bringing the Best of Indian Flavors to Western-Style Desserts!

Tickets will include desi desserts from the book!

ABOUT THE BOOK
DESI BAKES: 85 Recipes Bringing the Best of Indian Flavors to Western-Style Desserts brings Indian flavors to Western-style desserts and amplifies basic decorating ideas to make showstopping sweets.

Hetal Vasavada has wowed her followers all over the world with vibrant, colorful sweets that meld traditional Indian flavors with Western baking techniques. Desi Bakes offers a new world of over-the-top glamour and bling to home bakers and industry pros alike who wish to build on their knowledge of Indian flavors and traditions.
Hetal’s newest book brings decorating inspiration, and recipe adjustments for gluten-free, egg-free, and vegan treats to an audience looking to create eye-catching mithai, sweets, shared on special occasions, and explore traditional Indian holidays through a new lens. Think Saffron Madeleines, Masala Chai Semifreddo, and Kesar Pista Cream Puffs. Learn what to bring to a friend’s Diwali celebration, how to use leftover besan ki burfi in Muddy Buddies or Crispy Rice Treats, and how to mirror beautiful Indian textiles with icing on cookies. From cookies, to cakes, to puddings, frozen desserts, and even drinks, DESI BAKES brings vivid color and spice to all the sweet moments in life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hetal Vasavada grew up in New Jersey in a family of wonderful Gujarati home cooks who raised her on chai, cardamom-spiced shortbreads, and sweet puddings. After a cross-country move, Vasavada started to recreate the flavors of her childhood—this time in her own style—which eventually landed her a spot on Gordon Ramsay’s MasterChef, where she was the show’s first Hindu vegetarian contestant. Vasavada is the author of Milk and Cardamom, has a successful Instagram channel (@milkandcardamom), blog and online pop-up bakery, and is a contributor at Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Eater, Cherry Bombe, Food52, and more. Hetal is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

ABOUT THE MODERATOR
Jill Nguyen is the self-taught baker behind Capitol Jill Baking, a microbakery specializing in sourdough bread, pastries, and modern bespoke cakes in the heart of Capitol Hill. Born and raised in Hanoi, Vietnam, Jill’s baking hobby quickly turned into a side hustle early in the pandemic, inspired by the passion to feed and create community, and the cult-like following soon led her to leave her full-time job to pursue a creative career working with flour and sugar. Dubbed a “bake master” by Axios, Jill regularly hosts events and collaborates with local chefs around town, in addition to her popular weekly bake sale.