Dr. Colleen Taylor Sen is a Chicago-based culinary historian who specializes in writing about the food of the Indian Subcontinent. Her articles on food and travel have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Travel and Leisure, Food Arts, Ms magazine, and other publications. She is the author or coeditor of nine books, including Food Culture in India; Curry: A Global History; Turmeric: The Wonder Spice; The Chicago Food Encyclopedia;; The Bloomsbury Handbook of Indian Cuisine and Feasts and Fasts: A History of Indian Food which was named one of the best food books of the year by Vogue and The Smithsonian Magazines. She is currently writing the first history of Indian food in America.

Her books have been translated into Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. She has degrees from the University of Toronto and Columbia University, all in Slavic Languages.

Ajit Kalra grew up around professional upscale restaurants kitchens. His father was one of the foremost Indian food writers and restaurateurs, and a formal ambassador to Indian food as appointed by the President of India. That exposure to ultra fine dining over decades led him to an entrepreneurial food journey of his own. Although a banker by profession, he has been an advanced cook for many years with an obsessive love of food and fine wine. 

He founded his first business in the form of a food truck with his wife back in 2012. In 2021, after graduating from Kellogg with an entrepreneurial degree, he and his wife launched their first brick and mortar concept serving modern Indian food called Bhoomi that leveraged home recipes from a cookbook he co-authored with his father. Bhoomi gained immediate success (In 2022, Yelp formally recognized Bhoomi as the highest rated Indian restaurant on their platform in the state of IL.) and eventually led to the advent of their next concept, Indus - a fine dining progressive Indian restaurant that showcases Indian food carefully and purposefully paired with a world class curation of elite wines and spirits. With both these food concepts (and a third on its way), his mission statement has remained consistent - to proliferate Indian food to all American families by introducing the cuisine in an approachable and inviting way. Indus was just recognized as Suburban Restaurant of the Year by the Chicago Tribune. 

Born and raised in Chicago, Susan Patel is the daughter of one of the co-founders of Patel Brothers, the largest Indian grocery chain in America. Susan was immersed in the values of hard work, dedication, and strategic planning from an early age. These principles have been the foundation of her success and continue to guide her dynamic career.

Susan is a seasoned entrepreneur, a passionate community leader, and a dedicated advocate for positive change. With a rich history of non-profit work and a deep passion for politics, she has tirelessly worked to empower the South Asian community. Her endorsements and activism within the Democratic Party have left a lasting impact, and her influence extends across numerous initiatives where she serves as a respected board member.

In her current role as the Executive Director of the South Asian American Chamber of Commerce in Illinois (SAACCIL), Susan leads the organization in its mission to support and advance the interests of South Asian American businesses across the state. SAACCIL is dedicated to fostering economic growth, providing networking opportunities, and advocating for policies that benefit the South Asian business community. Under Susan's leadership, SAACCIL has become a pivotal resource for entrepreneurs and professionals, helping to create a vibrant and thriving business environment.

Beyond her work with SAACCIL, Susan Patel continues to drive forward-thinking initiatives, including her involvement with Suuprah, a company at the intersection of wellness, events, and professional services. Through these roles, Susan remains committed to enhancing the well-being of individuals and communities, empowering them to thrive in every aspect of their journey. Her journey is a testament to the power of determination, leadership, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.