Spice, Power & Belonging: A Conversation with Diaspora Spice Co.

Spice as Story: A Conversation with Diaspora Spice Co.

Join us for an intimate evening in conversation with the founders of Diaspora Spice Co., celebrating the upcoming release of The Diaspora Spice Co. Cookbook—a landmark debut that reframes how we cook with spices, where flavor comes from, and who benefits from the global spice trade.

Founded in 2017 by Sana Javeri Kadri, Diaspora Spice Co. is a queer- and woman-of-color-owned spice company built on radical transparency, direct trade, and regenerative farming. Working with more than 150 single-origin spice farms across India and Sri Lanka, Diaspora has become a leader in reimagining the spice supply chain—centering farmers at every step.

This evening marks an early celebration of The Diaspora Spice Co. Cookbook (out March 3, 2026), co-authored by Sana and longtime recipe developer Asha Loupy. The cookbook is the result of years of harvest-season travel, deep relationships with farm partners, and months spent in kitchens across India and Sri Lanka. It offers 85 family heirloom recipes from 35 women, spanning ten regions — alongside practical guides for building a spice pantry, mastering foundational techniques, and cooking confidently with bold, nuanced flavors.

The conversation will be moderated by Lauren Friel, founder of Unruly Hospitality and the force behind Rebel Rebel, Wild Child, and Dear Annie—whose work centers ethical sourcing, thoughtful storytelling, and building community through food and drink. Together, we’ll explore the intersections of flavor, labor, identity, and memory, and what it means to cook—and host—with intention.

During the conversation, we’ll explore:

• What it means to cook with spices rooted in place, labor, and lineage
• How regenerative agriculture and direct trade change flavor—and power
• Translating regional, heirloom recipes into accessible home cooking
• The personal stories behind the farms, families, and kitchens featured in the book

Expect a wide-ranging, thoughtful discussion touching on food, identity, migration, and the politics of taste—with time for audience questions and book signing to follow.

About the Cookbook

The Diaspora Spice Co. Cookbook is both a deeply personal narrative and an inviting guide to South Asian home cooking. Highlights include spice blends, chutneys and pickles, snacks, vegetables, lentils, seafood, meat dishes, rice and breads, drinks, and desserts—all designed to help home cooks cook with confidence and curiosity.

About the Speakers

Sana Javeri Kadri
Founder & CEO, Diaspora Spice Co.
Born and raised in Mumbai, Sana founded Diaspora Spice Co. with a bold vision and a shoestring budget. Since then, the company has paid over $3.1 million directly to farm partners, reached more than 125,000 customers globally, and helped reshape how spices are grown, sourced, and valued. Sana splits her time between Mumbai and California, continuing to advocate for a more just and delicious food system.

Asha Loupy
Co-Author & Recipe Developer
Asha is an Oakland-based food writer and recipe developer who spent over a decade in specialty food before joining Diaspora Spice Co. as Recipe Editor. Her work has appeared in Bon Appétit, Food52, The Washington Post, Epicurious, and more. She is also the author of the Substack From Head to Table and has a forthcoming solo cookbook, Dinner Season (Fall 2027).

📘 The Diaspora Spice Co. Cookbook releases March 3, 2026
🌶 Learn more at diasporaco.com
📸 Follow along on Instagram: @diasporaco