Business
Bakery Review
Starting a Bakery
Running a bakery is a creative and challenging business, whether be it a stand-alone bakery, a retail bakery chain, or industrial bakery operations for that matter. However, in this feature we are concentrating on the points to be considered for the running of a start-up stand-alone bakery business.
7 min |
June - July 2022
Bakery Review
Naturally Sweet
For quite some years, sugar has been blamed for the many health related problems that affect our lives and lifestyles.
6 min |
June - July 2022
Bakery Review
Whipping up the Cream
Whipped cream is used as an integral ingredient in a number of a bakery items. Its main function is to whip up the products and endow them an enticing look. Whipped cream fabricates and stabilizes the cake to frost and acts as an accompaniment for icing.
10+ min |
June - July 2022
Bakery Review
Promising Growth
Mention chocolates and everyone, irrespective of their age, can start drooling. Many chocolate and other confectionery makers say that adult consumption of chocolates and candies is growing at the fastest pace in India, major corporate companies are launching new products and brands of chocolates which target the grown-ups.
10+ min |
June - July 2022
Bakery Review
Delightful Dairy Desserts
Mark Twain, after his visit to the Orient, declared: "Although there are 365 days in a year, India has 366 festivals." And each of these festivals, one may add, is celebrated with dairy desserts galore! Indians have a sweet tooth. And who can blame them? The delicious variety available is extremely difficult to resist. The delectable desserts, comprising mostly of dairy products, are tempting treats that are irresistible. The demand for these desserts has increased over the years. Ashok Malkani finds that packaged sweets have become more popular since the outbreak of Covid-19 and the pandemic.
8 min |
June - July 2022
Bakery Review
Desserts That Will Make You Exclaim Go ManGo!
It is summer, the time when the king of fruits – Mango – makes its appearance and casts a magical spell on the entire populace, be they young or old. From children to senior citizens one finds everyone enjoying mangoes not only in its original format but also as desserts. Bakeries and F&B outlets vie with each other to create magical conceptions that will not only please the eye but also the taste buds. Ashok Malkani looks at the magical charm that mango desserts have not only in India but all around the globe. The list of desserts is endless and what is more – mangoes also have health benefits.
10+ min |
April - May 2022
Bakery Review
Probable Occupational Hazards in Bakery
Baking bread can become a dangerous career. The late and great cookery writer Margaret Costa cautioned that "Beware of making that first loaf." Bakers have to pay heed to the dangers prevalent in the small and as well as large bakeries, while working in them.
7 min |
April - May 2022
Bakery Review
ITALMOPA Launch “Pure Flour from Europe” Campaign
ITALMOPA - the Italian Association of Millers has launched a strategic initiative to promote exports of soft wheat flour into India called “Pure Flour from Europe”. The campaign aim is to raise awareness of the versatility, high-quality, unadulterated and safe flour.
2 min |
April - May 2022
Bakery Review
NRAI's First Cloud Kitchen Convention
The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI)'s Mumbai Chapter held India's biggest Cloud Kitchen Convention powered by PetPooja. Established in the year 1982, NRAI is the voice of the Indian Restaurant Industry that has successfully provided opportunities to educate various hospitality chains on the avenues of technology, marketing, operations and more by keeping up with the trends.
4 min |
April - May 2022
Bakery Review
Embellishing Breakfast Menu
Muffins come in an almost endless variety of flavours. Usually they are available in the sweet form but they are also available in the savoury form. They should have a soft texture, less moisture and be like a nicely raised cake.
6 min |
April - May 2022
Bakery Review
Has the snacking segment transformed? How about its future?
The answer to the first question is a resounding—YES! Snacking, as a practice and sector, has transformed completely since the first mention of the virus. Health was a priority pre-pandemic, but being locked at home which continuing to maximise work output has put immense strain on us all. The result’s that we’ve fallen back on old habits that provide comfort. Hence, our snacking behaviours have been invariably affected.
3 min |
April - May 2022
Bakery Review
Cookie is Cocky ...in the Indian market
Demand for healthy bakery products, particularly cookies, is increasing in India due to active lifestyle of consumers' looking for convenient eating options. Millennials, who form a major percentage of the working population in India, are a driving force behind the consumer trends today. As far as bakery products are concerned, they desire for healthy products with high nutritional values. Cookies which are not only healthy and nutritious but can also be consumed as snacks are becoming popular globally. Ashok Malkani takes a kaleidoscopic look at all aspects of cookies and the rising market for these scrumptious tidbits.
9 min |
April - May 2022
Bakery Review
Contamination of Eggs in India
Generally speaking, most poultry farms in India follow poor rearing practices. There is every likelihood that many of them could be using contaminated feeds or using feed ingredients without any knowledge of their nutritive content which can eventually negatively influence the quality of egg production.
3 min |
April - May 2022
Bakery Review
Comprehending Butter
Butter has always fascinated all for its malleability and richness as also the way it transforms a dish, making it exotic from the simple. Most of us at home use plain salted or sometimes unsalted butter for baking purposes, but Chefs have access to all kinds of magical options when it comes to butter.
4 min |
April - May 2022
Bakery Review
Chocolate: In the Hands of Pastry Chef
There are many ways to use chocolate as decoration but a normal dark or white chocolate with a liquid texture for an easier manipulation is used in this type of work, as it does not require any special taste. For a chocolate show piece I personally use a normal 55% cocoa for the moulding and the body of my piece.
5 min |
April - May 2022
Bakery Review
Heeding To Safety Measures In Bakery
The bakery business has great potential for creativity but it requires sustained hard work and knowledge of the industry to reach success.
4 min |
February - March 2022
Bakery Review
Creative and Passionate about Bakery!
Chef Shaikh Shafique with an enriching experience of over a decade has worked across various brands and has carved a niche for himself in this industry as a game changer.
3 min |
February - March 2022
Bakery Review
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese occupies a relatively small but important place among the many varieties of cheeses, in India, specially in bakery segment.
4 min |
February - March 2022
Bakery Review
Crossing over Croissants
Croissant fits the bill on any given day as a snack or as a breakfast item.
4 min |
February - March 2022
Bakery Review
Getting Over Crisis
The sudden lockdowns during the pandemic, resulting in closure of operations and lack of revenue have affected many bakery business owners into dire situations. Some of them have been forced to take hasty decisions which have had long term impact on their business. It has to be realized that recovery from the current pandemic situation is going to be slow and painful. Tough times, prevalent at the moment, demand the bakers to look beyond regular situations and deal with difficult questions that need to be answered, to thrive. For survival and navigating through the crisis successfully bakers will need to understand the present situation and the impact the pandemic will have on their future business. They have to plan to tackle the situation as time progresses. Ashok Malkani tries to gauge the effects of the and how the bakers have to plan to deal with the problems as and when they arise.
8 min |
February - March 2022
Bakery Review
Empowerment of Women in Bakery Industry - A Piece of Cake
The intrepid women have proved their mettle in almost all arenas. They have resolutely proved themselves as enterprising entrepreneurs in all industries, including the bakery segment of the food & beverage industry. From home bakers to capable industrialists, they have climbed the ladder of success and are speedily securing opportunities in what was once a male dominated segment – bakery business. The rise in female bakers in India is a testimony of the fact that they have the potential to successfully handle career as well as home by successfully harnessing technology and social media to improve their business. With more females entering the bakery industry, the sector is rapidly moving towards gender equality. Ashok Malkani, to commemorate the International Women’s Day, on March 8, views the progress and the success of the lady bakers in their endeavour to move from home baking to becoming owners of commercial conglomerates.
10+ min |
February - March 2022
Bakery Review
Flavours and Colours
While colours work by increasing the visual appeal of the bakery products, flavours help bakers to develop a unique taste of the products
3 min |
February - March 2022
Bakery Review
Pure Flour from Europe
Good flour is the basis of good dough (both sweet and savoury). Good flour is indispensable for your baking and cooking.
3 min |
February - March 2022
Bakery Review
Spread with Margarine
It's low cost and health value makes margarine a bakers delight. It is widely used in bakeries in making cookies, pastry dough, piecrust and main course dishes. Margarine can be used in breakfast, appetizers, side dishes, main entrees and desserts.
4 min |
February - March 2022
Bakery Review
Bakery Trends For 2022
As we step into the New Year and communities and supply chains reopen, though still fragile, there are several changes that one is likely to see in the near future in the bakery industry. But, one may add, that though many consumers are open to something new, after nearly two years of limited options and mobility, they don’t want to be rushed into rash decisions as far as eating habits are concerned. The pandemic has increased the awareness of healthy food. Bakeries have adopted changes to cater to the demands of the consumers – and are likely to continue transforming in the New Year. Ashok Malkani tries to present a broad perspective of likely trends for 2022 and beyond.
10+ min |
December 2021 - January 2022
Bakery Review
Starting a Bakery During the Pandemic
Last two years have been challenging in many ways. COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced several lockdowns and restrictions on people, have affected almost all businesses. It has also encouraged consumers to put their health higher on the priority list making them realize the necessity for healthy food and eating habits. According to a research by Mintel almost three out of four Indians have put healthy eating at a higher priority than before the outbreak. The ongoing pandemic has led to a rising demand for bakery products not only due their health quotient but also due to their variety and functionality. This has driven more enterprising entrepreneurs to enter bakery industry. Ashok Malkani takes a look at the various branches of the industry, the requirements for starting a bakery and steps that the entrepreneurs need to examine before entering the industry.
9 min |
December 2021 - January 2022
Bakery Review
The Role of Edible Oils
The art of cooking cannot be conceived without the essential input of edible oil. It is difficult to trace the history of edible oils, but it is safe to say that since the dawn of civilisation, edible oils have been contributing to the evolution of the taste of mankind. Today, edible oils have slowly spread their mysterious web to all forms of cooking and have become quintessential to the operations of kitchens. The role of edible oils in the bakery industry also cannot be overstated.
4 min |
December 2021 - January 2022
Bakery Review
SLAY Coffee Introduces Special Cinnamon Brews
SLAY Coffee has introduced cinnamon as the hero ingredient in their cuppas and baked goodies.
1 min |
December 2021 - January 2022
Bakery Review
Identifying Real Pastries
The term ‘Pastry’ often means quite different things to a consumer as compared to a Pastry Chef. Officially, in the world of baking ‘Pastry’ is the name given to various kinds of dough made from ingredients such as flour, butter, shortening, baking powder and/or eggs.
4 min |
December 2021 - January 2022
Bakery Review
Food for the Gods
Cocoa has a high food value, containing as much as 20 percent protein, 40 percent carbohydrate, and 40 percent fat. It is also mildly stimulating because of the presence of theobromine, an alkaloid that is closely related to caffeine.
5 min |