Biryani Masterclass with Bhavna Shivalkar Saturday 15 November

Saturday 15 November

Bhavna Shivalkar is a Mumbai-born, Sydney-based entrepreneur with over 12 years of experience in the food industry, where she specialises in Indian cuisine and cultural storytelling. She is the founder and CEO of The Modern Desi Co, a dynamic Australian food venture that fuses time-honoured Indian culinary traditions with modern business practices.

Bhavna conducts immersive Indian cooking classes and guided food tours, which offer far more than just recipes—they provide rich cultural context and insight. Through offerings such as her ‘Cooking Classes’ and ‘Food Tours of Little India’, she is on a mission to break down stereotypes and broaden the understanding of Indian cuisine. As an Indian Cultural Collaborator with Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum, she also plays a key role in promoting South Asian culture to a wider audience.

In January 2026, Bhavna will lead her second Spice & Savor Tour through Mumbai and Kerala—a curated culinary journey that takes food lovers to the very origins of Indian spices and flavours.

Passionate about moving the narrative beyond Butter Chicken and Rogan Josh, Bhavna weaves storytelling, memory, and practical knowledge into her teaching. Her goal is to show just how accessible, budget friendly, vibrant, and satisfying Indian home cooking can be—any day of the week.

Her Class

Biryani is more than just food—it’s a celebration, loved across India and around the world. In this immersive four-hour class at Moonacres, join Indian food connoisseur and passionate Biryani lover Bhavna Kalra – AKA The Modern Desi Co, as she guides you through the art of creating this iconic dish from scratch.

Whether you’re someone who always orders Biryani at restaurants, have dreamed of cooking it at home, or simply love authentic and hearty Indian flavours, this class is designed for you.

What you’ll learn:

·       The fascinating history and origins of Biryani

·       Key components that make up this layered dish

·       Regional variations of Biryani across India

By the end of the class, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to recreate Biryani in your own kitchen—along with the delicious side dishes that elevate the meal.

On the menu:

·       Biryani Masala (made from scratch)

·       Hyderabadi Dum Biryani (Chicken)

·       Chickpea & Dried Blueberry Biryani (Vegan/Vegetarian)

·       Zucchini Raita

Class starts at 10am and Bhavna, and the team at Moonacres, look forward to seeing you soon.