If only the world were more like a cup of chai

Most nights, after the Little India Dinner Series, I sit in silence for a moment, letting the warmth settle in.

A chance to share my heritage and culture

It always happens after these events. That glowing kind of proud. The kind that fills your chest when you realise you’ve been part of something truly meaningful. Sharing a piece of your culture and having it genuinely appreciated by others is a special kind of joy. And it never gets old.

There’s something so heartening about watching strangers connect over a shared meal… and of course, a cup of freshly brewed chai. I’ve always believed that chai is more than a drink. It’s a comfort, a ritual, a love language and during the Little India Dinner Series nights, is a beautiful reminder of that. Watching people sip their chai and melt into the moment, laughing, listening, learning, it made me think...

Chai, a universal language of friendship

If only the world could be more like a cup of chai.

Warm. Fragrant. Full of spice and soul.

Imagine a world where we didn’t need words to understand each other. Where all it took was the familiar scent of cardamom and ginger, or that first soothing sip, to bring people closer together. A kind of universal language, really, one that gently says you belong here.

I always get nervous before these events. My head is full of questions:
Will they like the chai?
Will I stumble over my words?
Will they laugh at me?

But the moment the first guests walk in, those worries start to melt away, just like the tea leaves in my chai pot. Their smiles, the warm greetings, and the hum of excited conversation uplift me. And the fragrance of my Ginger Masala Chai, dancing through the room like a familiar friend. It gives me the energy I need. The courage to speak from the heart.

The magic of culture and collaboration

There’s a certain kind of magic when cultures meet and mix in the right way — and that’s exactly what Kylie Kwong and Bhavna Kalra Shivalkar from The Modern Desi have created in partnership with Powerhouse Parramatta. They are both incredible in their own right, but together, they’ve built something truly rare: a space where cultural celebration and collaboration flow naturally. It’s authentic. It’s heartfelt. And it’s grounded in respect.

They’ve given people like me and small businesses like The Chai Room a voice, a platform, and most importantly, a sense of belonging. It’s not easy running a small, passion-led business. There’s so much love behind what I do, but it’s the support from communities and collaborators that keeps me going.

Led by passion and connection

These nights reminded me why I started this journey in the first place. Not just to make delicious artisanal chai blends, but to create a connection. To carry my heritage with pride. And to share it, one cup at a time.

As I packed up my teapots and spices, I thought about how far The Chai Room has come and how much further I hope to go. Every event, every brew, every kind word keeps the fire lit.

So here’s to many more cups of chai shared between strangers, friends, and future collaborators. And here’s to the quiet hope that maybe, just maybe… the world can learn from the way we gather, sip, and smile together.

With love,
Fatema xxx

Order your Ginger Masala Chai

P.S. If you’d like to try the Ginger Masala Chai that filled the room with such joy, it’s available to order in different quantities.