Chana and Dal
AN EXPERIENCE WITH CHEF SUNNY BAWEJA AT LEHJA

Join Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on the road as we explore Indian Cuisine with Chef Sandeep “Sunny” Baweja at Lehja. Integral to Indian cuisine, chickpeas and lentils are both part of the pea family of plants with nutritious edible seeds. Chef Sunny will showcase these legumes in multiple delicious preparations, beginning with a Black Chickpea Chaat. In this culinary demonstration, he will showcase how to use black chickpeas, which are native to India, in an Indian salad or chaat that is sweet, spicy, savory and crunchy. Moving to the lentil, Chef Sunny will demonstrate how home cooks can create a delicious quick-cooking Dal Tadka, or yellow lentils. For dessert, he will discuss how lentils can be used to create a Moong Dal Halwa, or spiced lentil pudding.

During the demonstration, join Chef Sunny for an elevated and delicious three-course dinner with a paired cocktail/mocktail, wine or non-alcoholic option, and mango lassi!

Menu to include:

1st Course: Black Chickpea Chaat (Indian Salad)
2nd Course: Black Lentil Dal and Chana Saag (creamy chickpeas and spinach) with rice
3rd Course: Moong dal Halwa samosas (spiced lentil pudding in a crispy shell)

Note: We are able to accommodate non-alcoholic beverages. Please be sure to indicate that preference during registration.

Fee is all-inclusive and covers the talk and culinary demo with Chef Sunny Baweja, all food and beverage and Henrico County Meals tax and gratuity. Please note that this class will meet at Lehja (11800 W Broad Street, Henrico, VA 23233).

Fees: Member $95, Non-Member $113

All programs are subject to change. Pre-registration through our website is required.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden strives to be a Garden for all and we are committed to offering diverse adult learning opportunities that are inclusive and accessible to all learners. If you would like to request an accommodation to support your participation in an adult learning opportunity at the Garden, please contact [email protected] or call 804-262-9887 x328 and we will make our best effort to help.

Register Member $95

Register Non-Member $113

Date:
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Time:
4:30 pm - 7:00 pm
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Event Details

About the Instructor

Sandeep (“Sunny”) Baweja of Lehja Restaurant in Short Pump has received critical acclaim for his work at this “modern Indian restaurant.”

Sunny is a self-trained chef and holds a master’s degree in business. He was born in a small village of Punjab, India, which is why “farm-to-table” is a standard norm for his cuisine. Sunny is a two-time semifinalist for the James Beard Award, “Best Chef Mid-Atlantic.”

Lehja has received many accolades, including being named by Forbes’ John Mariani as “not only one of the best Indian restaurants in Virginia but one of the best restaurants in the country.” Esquire named it one of the 100 restaurants America ‘can’t afford to lose’ during the pandemic. Eater named it the “Number One Restaurant in Richmond.”

Richmond Magazine’s food writers and critics named it “Restaurant of the Year” in 2017. Conde Nest Traveler Magazine named Lehja one of the best Southern Restaurants. Lehja has been Featured on Good Food America, an Emmy-nominated food show, as one of the healthiest restaurants in the country. Washingtonian Magazine’s Food and Wine Editor, Todd Kliman, called Lehja the “best Indian outside of Washington DC’s Rasika.” Lehja was also included among the top 15 must-visit RVA destinations by Washingtonian Magazine.

Sunny has been featured in many food festivals across the country. His modern take on classic chaat with tuna, avocado, pomegranate seeds, and puffed rice was adjudged by a Houston food critic the best dish. He has been awarded for the best dish “chaat” at Brad Appetit many times. He has created a winning burger at Burger Blast and won with a BBQ pork dish at the American Heart Ball.

Lehja’s wine program has been critically acclaimed and given an “Award of Excellence” by Wine Spectator. His love and passion for Indian cuisine is reflected in his food.

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