8-05-2026 7:22pm

Taste of the Day: Scoops & Pearls Brings Indian‑Inspired Dessert Culture to Bridgewater

Donnella Tilery Editor

Bridgewater has a new destination for dessert lovers — and it’s unlike anything New Jersey has seen before. Scoops & Pearls, the Australian‑born Indian dessert concept now thriving on Route 22, is introducing local families to a world of flavors that go far beyond traditional ice cream.

Flavors include Pink Guava with salt and chilli, Exotic Rose, Pineapple with chat masala, and more than 40+ artisan ice creams that are eggless, gelatine‑free, and crafted with meticulous research and care.

Founder and Owner Poonam Gajwani, who built a successful franchise network across Australia under the brand Icy Spicy, always dreamed of showing the world that Indian cuisine is more than butter chicken and samosas. Her mission: bring authentic Indian‑inspired desserts to a global audience in a modern, approachable way.

“Her belief in our products and vision gave me the confidence to expand into the U.S.,” Indrajeet Magar shared. “After a 15‑year career in IT, she took a leap of faith, left the corporate world, and committed herself full‑time to Scoops & Pearls. Her dedication and perfectionist approach have helped the Bridgewater store improve month after month.”

Scoops & Pearls doesn’t choose flavors based on trends. They choose flavors that carry meaning.

“We balance familiarity with adventure,” Indrajeet Magar further explained. “Fruit flavors are universally loved, so adding Pink Guava with salt and chilli or Pineapple with chat masala gives customers something exciting while still being approachable.”

Every flavor goes through months of research and development — testing, refining, gathering feedback — until the team is confident it delivers a memorable experience. The result is a menu that sparks curiosity and keeps customers coming back to try something new.

The response to the innovative and tasteful menu has made quite a buzz in Bridgewater. “People are far more adventurous than we assume,” Indrajeet Magare added. “Bridgewater has shown us that authentic Indian flavors can be appreciated well beyond the Indian community.”

A Community Gathering Spot

Since opening, Scoops & Pearls has quickly become a favorite hangout for students, families, and late‑night dessert seekers. Word of mouth has been their strongest marketing tool, both in Australia and now in New Jersey.

The shop has catered weddings, birthday parties, summer camps, and NGO events — even serving as the official dessert partner for community gatherings. With premium boba teas, faluda, iced teas, scoop shakes, and a wide range of ice creams, there’s something for every age group.

Combined with late‑night hours, the store has become more than a dessert shop — it’s a place where memories are made.

Scoops & Pearls is now preparing for its next chapter: expanding across New Jersey.

Over the next 12–18 months, the team aims to open 4–5 new franchise locations, with strong interest already coming from multicultural communities eager to bring the concept to their towns.

But growth isn’t just about new stores — it’s about people.

“We’re committed to hiring locally and giving young people valuable experience in hospitality and customer service,” the founder said. “We want every store to become an active part of its community, not just another retail outlet.”

Partnerships with local suppliers, schools, colleges, event planners, and neighboring businesses are central to their strategy. Collaboration, they believe, is how small businesses thrive.

For Somerset County entrepreneurs, the story of Scoops & Pearls is a reminder that bold ideas — even unconventional ones — can flourish with persistence, research, and the right people beside you.

“I hope my journey inspires others to believe in their vision,” the founder shared. “Success comes from staying committed to your idea and continuously striving to improve. Every great brand starts with a single store, a clear vision, and people who believe in it.”