About this Event
Join Bold Fork Books as we welcome Auyon and Jyoti Mukharji for their new book HEARTLAND MASALA. They will be joined by Dante Datta, co-owner + beverage director at Daru and Tapori.
ABOUT THE COOKBOOK
Heartland Masala pairs 99 recipes from Indian cooking instructor Jyoti Mukharji with cultural and historical essays by her son Auyon Mukharji. An effervescent celebration of Indian cuisine and the American immigrant experience, this beautiful cookbook is playful, informative, and utterly original.Filled with rich storytelling, stunning visuals, and a blend of modern and traditional dishes, this book is both a heartfelt portrait of one Midwestern family and a practical guide to cooking incredible Indian meals at home.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 THE MODERATOR
DMV native Dante Datta is the Chef/Co-Owner of Daru and Tapori, which opened in Washington, D.C. in March 2025. Before beginning his career behind the stick in 2010, he worked in finance for the Washington Nationals. After an epic birthday dinner, he decided to pursue restaurants full-time to further his love of food and drink, going on to serve as head bartender at Rasika West End, general manager at Columbia Room, and bar manager at Ellē.
Dante’s approach to cocktails is rooted in the classics while making them “Indian-ish” to complement the cuisine and ingredients available in the kitchen. He focuses on housemade and seasonal elements, with a special fascination for the versatility of coconut — whether in oil, cream, flakes, or water — for its tropical, refreshing, and earthy qualities.
On his days off, you can find him running, biking, meditating, playing ping pong, or indulging in a Shake Shack burger. He is also deeply interested in Buddhist philosophy and continues to explore its teachings alongside his craft.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Bold Fork Books, 3064 Mount Pleasant Street Northwest, Washington, United States
USD 14.41 to USD 45.57
