Smorgasburg, a popular food festival in Los Angeles, reopened for 2025 featuring over 70 vendors, including new culinary faces alongside beloved favorites. One notable addition is Band Baaja Boba, created by Sanjay Chandra, who combines diverse Asian influences with his Indian roots, driven by a passion for boba tea inspired by community experiences at potlucks. This festival not only showcases diverse food but also serves as a creative outlet for entrepreneurs, integrating cultures through food and drink offerings, enhancing the gastronomic landscape of L.A.
Chandra worked in television for decades but when he and his wife, Helly, moved to the Inland Empire his focus took a turn. Newly surrounded by more Asian American peers from a mix of cultures, their neighborhood potlucks and other parties blended cuisines and flavors.
At that time, in 2016, I kind of knew that if television didn't work out, one day if I had a food business, I'd want to be here.
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