Speaker Series Colleen Sen

Join us in person for a chat with Colleen Sen at NIAM's Speaker Series! Join us for an engaging afternoon as we welcome our first guest speaker for Desi Roots and Wings (DRW), food historian Colleen Sen, whose work explores the rich and evolving story of Indian cuisine in America. Drawing on more than a century of culinary history, Colleen will trace the journey of Indian food across the United States—from the Raj-era themed restaurants of the 1950s and 60s to today’s vibrant, progressive dining scene. Through the lens of menus as primary sources, she reveals how Indian cuisine has been shaped, marketed, and reimagined over time. This immersive talk will feature selections from Colleen’s extensive collection of historic menus from India and the USA—many of them true works of art—which attendees will have the rare opportunity to see and handle firsthand. She will also share early American interpretations of Indian cooking, including one of the earliest published curry recipes from an American cookbook. This program beautifully complements the timelines explored in Roots & Wings, offering a unique perspective on culture, identity, and storytelling through food.