Evergreen’s well-known Yellow House is now full, with a decidedly spicy new tenant.
India native and longtime Atlanta restaurateur Archna Becker just opened the Bhojanic Social Club in the building. Bhojana in Hindi means “food,” “meal,” or “enjoyment,” and Becker intends to offer all three to her customers.
The club is an event center and catering space designed for private and corporate events. Becker will also host cooking classes, yoga retreats, themed dinners and other events at the site.
Becker, who’s worked in the food industry for 25 years, described her passion for it as an addiction.
“I love cooking and hosting,” she said. “I love seeing people eat our food and enjoy the food. I love events and parties. And I’m good at it.”
Becker moved to Evergreen with her family in 2022, and noted there were few options to host smaller events.
“I feel there’s nothing like it for event spaces of this size or style,” she said. “We really want to focus on corporate retreats, team building events, rehearsal dinners and family reunions. The larger spaces available here are overkill if you’re just having a party for 50 people.”
Becker honed her talents in Atlanta, where she founded and owned multiple restaurants and a large-scale catering business. There she owns another Bhojanic Social Club and Tandoori Pizza & Wing Company.
Her career began in high school. Becker’s Indian parents were cooks whose food was always in demand. Her parents were cooking for friends as a favor, their kitchen often overflowing with food. Becker saw an opportunity and as a high school senior in the mid-’90s, she opened an Atlanta banquet facility and restaurant with them.
In 2000, she incorporated her first catering business, later expanding into restaurants. The businesses quickly grew until Becker and her team were catering corporate events as large as 13,000 people.
The year 2020 began with a trio of business high points for Becker. She appeared on a cooking show with Guy Fieri, was a guest chef at a Mexican music festival and was asked to be on the board of the National Restaurant Association.
“Three amazing things within a month and five days,” Becker said. “Then Covid hit. I lost a million dollars. The catering, the food truck and the restaurant died. It was so horrible.”
Becker quickly pivoted and started the Tandoori Pizza & Wing Company, and then the family decided to move to Evergreen, a community they’d visited once on a ski trip and immediately liked.
“We needed a re-do,” Becker said. “We love it so much here. We walk around the lake with the dog every day, and everyone is super nice. There’s always something going on; there’s so much happening for a little town.”
She believes Evergreen is in enough demand that it needs a business like Bhojanic, which adds not just event space but fun and unusual offerings for those just wanting a unique experience or night out.
On March 11, she’ll host a “Curry in a Hurry” class, which will teach students shortcuts to making Indian curry.
On March 29, she plans an “Indian Holi” themed dinner with 12 to 14 courses, a DJ, a henna artist and dancing. The Hindu festival of Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, marks the arrival of spring with vibrant celebrations and festive food.
“We’ll offer classes each month, and each month I’ll also try to do one bigger event — like an Indian barbecue for Father’s Day, a high tea event for Mother’s Day.”
Becker plans to offer events at a wide variety of price points so the club can provide something to everyone.
The space has two rooms available for rent; one that can accommodate up to 40 people, and a second with space for up to 75 guests. Food can be brought in, or Becker can cater in exchange for a discount on the accommodations.
She also plans to make the commercial kitchen at Bhojanic available for rent.
For details on events at Bhojanic Social Club, check its Facebook page.