Malai is a Brooklyn-based company, founded in 2015 by Pooja Bavishi, 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.

Malai’s treats are always eggless, sometimes vegan, and come in a variety of delightful forms: ice cream, kulfi pops, ice cream cakes, and ice cream sandos.

From scoop shops in NYC, DC and Philadelphia to nationwide shipping and select grocery store availability across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, Malai is making its mark.

Pooja Bavishi is the Founder and CEO of Malai, an acclaimed ice cream company that infuses traditional South Asian ingredients into its innovative flavors. Inspired by the spices of her childhood—ginger, rose petals, saffron, and cardamom—Pooja founded Malai to offer a unique ice cream experience that blends rich cultural heritage with a delightful treat. She believes that “desserts bring people joy, and I wanted to be in the business of delivering happiness.”

In addition to her entrepreneurial success, Pooja earned the title of “Champion” on Food Network’s Chopped Sweets in March 2020. She holds a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an M.S. from the London School of Economics, and an M.B.A. from NYU Stern School of Business. Pooja was also named a 2018 Tory Burch Foundation Fellow and recognized as one of Inc. Magazine’s Female Founders 100 in October 2020.