At Eight She Baked Her Fate!

If you are in Mumbai, you can’t resist being here to taste the irresistible macroons!

This week the story is not just about the macroons but the 25 year old behind it. She has a degree in business and hospitality management from Cesar Ritz Colleges Switzerland and a Diploma in French Pastry from Le Cordon Bleu Paris. She is today famous for her macroons in Mumbai which she sells in her bakery. It’s an interesting story of a girl whose source of inspiration was her mother who runs a bakery from her home.

Our newsmaker is Pooja Dhingra, who had done her internship at a small chocolate shop, returned to India just two years back and is now hitting headlines. Her’s is a French style chocolate and pastry shop in Mumbai where everything is baked from scratch, handcrafted using only the finest ingredients and absolutely no preservatives.

Here are some excerpts from her interview with The Sip of Life.

SOL: Tell about your education and family background?

POOJA: I’m 25 years old. I have a degree in business and hospitality management from Cesar Ritz Colleges Switzerland and a Diploma in French Pastry from Le Cordon Bleu Paris. My brother studied with me in Switzerland and owns a restaurant on Mumbai-Nasik Highway (called Oye Punjabi).

SOL: How did you get into this profession? Since when were you interested in bakery?

POOJA: After my degree in Switzerland, I worked in hotels for a while and realized I enjoyed being in the kitchen the most. That led to Paris, where I studied the art of French Pastry. I have always been interested in baking, ever since I was 8.

SOL: Where all did you get training in bakery? 

POOJA: In Switzerland and in Paris. I worked for a French Chocolatier in Paris (Jean Charles Rochoux).

SOL: How and when did you decide opening Le 15 Patisserie?

POOJA: Once I finished my education and moved back to India, I realized that there was no one making french macaroons like the ones I fell in love with in Paris. I started working on a plan, recipes etc and came up with the idea for Le15.

SOL: We believe you are popular for macaroons. Is it true and what makes them so yummy?

POOJA: Yes, Le15 is famous for it’s macaroons Macaroons are probably the hardest thing to make and we make with a lot of precision, create interesting flavours and fill them with a lot of love!

SOL: When and where are you opening your cafe and what will it be the concept behind?

POOJA: Cafe Creme is still in the pipeline and will open shortly in popular spot of Mumbai. It will focus on simple and flavorful food and a big array of delicious dessert!

SOL: What are some the specialities Le 15 Patisserie offers?

POOJA: Macaroons, Cupcakes, tarts and pastries.

SOL: Are their any plans of coming up with some new recipes for your customers?

POOJA: The focus is to always come up with new ideas, new recipes and create something different. Recently Le15 introduced paan and green chilly macaroons and we plan on making many more interesting flavours!

SOL: Do you personally also have a sweet tooth for all that others are so crazy about?

POOJA: Yes! I wouldn’t be able to do what I do if I didn’t have a sweet tooth

SOL: Who are the others involved in the success of Le 15 Patisserie? 

POOJA: I work with a great team of people, people who work in the kitchen with me and also my talented brand strategist and graphic designer Pratish Mepani.  And of course, none of this would be possible without the emotional and financial support of my family!

SOL: You have made it big at such a young age. How does your family react to it?

POOJA: They are extremely proud and happy

(Le 15 Patisserie has a deliciously designed website which can be visited at http://le15.co.in)