POWERHOUSE LAUNCHES NEW ‘LITTLE INDIA’ PROGRAM

Powerhouse today announces Powerhouse Food: Little India, a new dinner series spotlighting the vibrant Indian food culture in Western Sydney’s Harris Park. Curated by acclaimed chef and Powerhouse Associate Kylie Kwong and founder of The Modern Desi Co Bhavna Kalra Shivalkar, this series invites guests on a culinary journey to explore the bold and diverse flavours, distinctive cooking styles and regional specialities from across India. Starting on Wednesday 19 February 2025, the series of dinners, held every second month over the course of a year, will offer guests curated dining experiences that reflect the rich cultural tapestry of this distinctive cultural precinct. Diners will taste the fresh authentic traditional street food at Chatkazz, indulge in comforting home-style Chennai vegetarian dishes from South Indian eatery Adyar Ananda Bhavan, locally known as A2B, enjoy rustic Punjabi fare inspired by ‘dhaba’ or vibrant North Indian roadside eateries when they dine at Mitran Da Dhaba and savour the unique blend of Mughlai and Persian influences at Hyderabadi restaurant IndoChainese. After each dinner, guests will enjoy a program at the Chatkazz Function Centre featuring a traditional chai tasting with Fatema Khanbhai, founder of The Chai Room; a cultural performance by Western Sydney poet Anisha Krishnasamy; and the gift of an Indo-Chinese recipe specially created by Kylie Kwong and Bhavna Kalra Shivalkar that celebrates their cross-cultural friendship and collaboration. Powerhouse Food: Little India is the first program curated and developed by Powerhouse Associate, Kylie Kwong, which will use food as a catalyst for positive social impact and cultural exchange. The other key projects will see Kylie Kwong explore dynamic Chinese communities of Western Sydney and develop a food education program for years 7-12 students. Powerhouse Food features projects including the development of the Australian Culinary Archive which is collecting the archives of Australia’s great chefs and producers and the establishment of the Vitocco Kitchen at Powerhouse Parramatta, a 200-seat production kitchen that connects audiences with the culture and science of food. Powerhouse Associate Kylie Kwong said, ‘Food is not just a way to connect with different cultures but is also about bringing communities together; sharing stories to deepen our understanding of one another. Collaborating with Bhavna on this project has been an incredible learning experience for me. Powerhouse Food: Little India perfectly embodies this spirit, highlighting the transformative power of food in uniting us all.’ The Modern Desi Co. Founder Bhavna Kalra Shivalkar said, ‘Indian cuisine is a celebration of diversity and flavour, telling the story of centuries of culture, history, and innovation. It’s far more than just ‘spicy curries’. It’s a rich blend of regional ingredients, seasonal cooking, time-honoured techniques and modern twists. These dinners are a gateway to the diverse cuisine I call my own.’ Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah said, ‘We are excited to launch the Powerhouse Food: Little India dinner series, which is testament to the incredible diversity and cultural richness of Western Sydney. Kylie and Bhavna’s collaboration will expand our understanding of Indian regional cultures and food traditions.’