'Being crowned India’s First ProBaker Icon is a mark of
utmost thanksgiving and gratitude to the all mighty. I am ever so thankful to
the jury, KitchenAid and chef Peachy to provide this honourable platform to me.
I hope I justify their choice in the times to come'…says Nupur Kanudia
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT
YOUR INTEREST IN BAKING?
Nupur: I started baking at the age of eight
and knew it right then that, this was my calling. I used to look up books and TV
channels to get whatever most I could learn from them, had to convince my mom
to buy me an electronic hand mixer as it was a must for my baking. She
flattered me with my own baking cupboard among three sisters. Anyone who wanted
to buy me gifts was around the baking parameters. I continued my baking
interests after marriage too and was ecstatic that I could now experiment with
eggs in my desserts which were a taboo in my mums place. A very encouraging
husband in Raghu and his family never let my fire die. I was the official
dessert provider for all family dos and festive distributions alike. I named my
work frame as Mochamania. As I moved to Gurgaon, my sisters and nieces
encouraged me to continue baking and get commercial too. After a couple
of workshops here and there and endless hours on the net just browsing
techniques, recipes etc, I finally bagged my first order, followed by some more
from friends and family. My community, Laburnum really encouraged me too by
ordering their birthday cakes from me and continue to do so.
ON KITCHENAID PROBAKER
2015
Nupur: Raghu pulled out an advert from The
Good Food magazine and insisted I enrolled for it, after toiling around the
idea and setting my preconceived notions aside, I sent them my original
recipe of Thandai cupcakes with saffron buttercream. As luck would have
it, it got selected by the eminent jury and I was invited to the Regional round
of Delhi. I was super excited to receive the Artisan for a week; it was a real
dream to own it even for that much time.
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| Left to Right Chef Thomas Blanchard, Chef Bakshish Dean , Mohit Jain & Chef Avijit Ghosh -The Finale at Academy of Pastry Arts, Plot no 64, Phase 4 , Udyog Vihar, Gurgaon |
The
generous Jury selected me as one of the Elite 8. My happiness knew no bounds as
not only could I now keep my dream machine for good but was also awarded by an
intensive 5 day sugar craft workshop by none other than the famous Chef Peachy
Juban from Manila.
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| The most amazing workshop at Academy of Pastry arts India #PeachyJuban #KitchenAidIndia |
KitchenAid had organised the best possible workshop and
schedule for us, really like a kid in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, I was
going crazy. Zero tiredness even after standing for straight 6 hours every day.
We ate yummy lunches and dinners every day, hosted by KitchenAid. The evenings
were hosted in the choicest of locations like Kingdom Of Dreams, Farzi Cafe, Bernardos and Johnny
Rockets (itinerary planned by Rupali Dean) Nikita and Kanika were our buddies
even before we knew. As for the course content, Chef Peachy taught us over
20 techniques, even out of her schedule. She was so patient, humble and
concerned about each contestant’s progress, a true guru and guide, along with
an amazing sense of humour to lighten our tiredness. I loved every moment of
her class. I feel I can now do so much more with my cakes for which I would
otherwise have to spend through my hat to learn such techniques. I just Love
Chef Peachy and KitchenAid for that and Look forward to many more opportunities
to learn from the Maestros.
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| Rupali Dean ( that's me ) & Nupur Kanudia |
