neWS SCAn BAKERY REVIEwRich Varieties of
Cheese from Europe
Showcased
The European Union and CNIEL (National Interprofessional Center
of the Dairy Economy, France) organised events in New Delhi and
Mumbai in December to showcase the rich variety of cheeses from
France and other parts of Europe.
CNIEL is a privately-run organisation whose main objective is
to promote dairy products and to facilitate relationships between
dairy producers and processors.
The events introduced members of the media (food journalists,
critics, bloggers and culinary specialists), food importers, Chefs
and restaurateurs to tastes of fine vegetarian cheese from Europe.
The event in Mumbai was held at Sofitel Mumbai hotel on 11th
December and in New Delhi, the event took place at the Lodhi —
The Garden Restaurant on 13th December.
François Robin, recognised as one of the best cheesemongers
in France, prepared various delicacies with European cheese and
Indian spices for the guests.
Mansi Jasani, the Founder of the Cheese Collective in Mumbai,
spoke about consumption of European cheese by Indians and
offered several suggestions on how and when to consume cheese,
and how to present them.
Even though the consumption of cheese has increased by 15-
percent in India in the recent years, India's consumption of cheese is
quite low as compared to the global average consumption of cheese.
Per capita consumption of cheese in India is a mere 200 gms per
year in contrast to the global average of 7 kg per annum, according
to an estimate. But with a large section of the people opening up
to acquiring new tastes, food habits in the country are changing.
With a market share of around 13 percent, France ranks as the
third largest supplier of cheese to India, after Italy and Denmark.B
arely 10 days before Christmas, the Academy of Pastry Arts, in
association with ‘Gurgaon Moms’ – a community of mothers,
organised a baking contest on 15th December.
The competition, held at the Gurugram premises of the Academy
of Pastry Arts, was open to all the members of ‘Gurgaon Moms.’
The participants were asked to get already baked items along
with the printed copy of the recipe. Only garnishing, finishing
and presentation were allowed at the venue.
Participants were seen carrying their own crockery,
cutlery and every other thing which were required
for the presentation.
“It is an initiative to bring all the passionate home
bakers of ‘Gurgaon Moms’ on one platform for a
friendly contest between the home bakers,” said
Major Dinesh Sharma, Director of Academy of
Pastry Arts.
“Christmas means time off from work, holidays,
warm weather, lots of parties and gatherings with
friends, and plenty of time to round up the family around the kitchen,
who can be seen baking up some delicious treats. We are sure that
this contest would give the ‘Gurgaon Moms’s members something to
add on the Christmas party or get-together that they are planning
to host,” Sharma said.
Chef faculty members of the Academy of Pastry Arts were the‘Gurgaon Moms’ Showcases Baking Talent
judges of the competition.
They were — Chef Guilaume
Lejeune, Director of Pastry
Studies; Chef Eureka Araujo,
Indian Pastry Queen 2017 ;
and Chef Alisha Faleiro, India
Pastry Cup 2017 winner. The
contestants were judged as
per the presentation, cleanliness and creativity.
Gayatri Datla came first at the competition. She was honoured with
a gift hamper and free weekend classes worth Rs. 30,000. Arpita
Prakash, who came second, was honoured with a gift hamper and
free weekend classes worth Rs. 15,000. The third position holder,
Seema Krishnan, was presented a gift hamper by the Academy of
Pastry Arts.
Academy of Pastry Arts is an international group of professional
culinary and pastry schools, located in Malaysia, the Philippines and
India. In India, it has two centres – while one is located in Gurugram,
Haryana; the other is in Bengaluru, Karnataka.