At the Capital Bakery in Sector 10, Chandigarh, eating is an experience
From sharing Swiss rolls after their evening walks at the Leisure valley to having the same flavour for their wedding cake, the Capital Bakery in Sector 10 has been part of many such sweet love stories for the past 50 years.
Light on sugar, melt-in-mouth, the Swiss rolls here have retained the same flavour over the years. Photographer-actor Paramjjit Chawla has been a regular for the last 20 years. “My son would come for matches from Delhi at the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association and we would always visit here to enjoy our Chandigarh treat,” shares Chawla, as he gets his standard order, mushroom patties and Swiss rolls packed. He has moved to the tricity now and on each celebratory occasion, the cake is from Capital only, even if he has to travel 15 kilometres to pick it up.
The owner, Hoshiar Singh Thakur saw an opportunity in the bakery that wasn’t running well back in the 70s and was confident he could run it, having had some experience in the field. He started with Sector 11, before shifting to Sector 10 and life hasn’t been the same since. “Food business is a huge responsibility. Right from the choice of ingredients to people making and serving the dish, one has to be cautious on every step,” shares Thakur. For him, the day starts at five or six in the morning and ends at midnight sometimes. “We haven’t taken a break for decades,” says Krishna Thakur, his wife. Their daughter Arti Vinayak also helps run the bakery, along with a staff of 20-odd staff.
“I grew up watching stuff being baked. One of my fondest memory is that of African students coming here to have donuts,” shares Arti. The huge donuts at a reasonable price were a hit back then!
Thakur makes sure he spends time at the bakery every single day. “My young clients love our baked goods; many of them share stories of their parents and grandparents and look forward to having a word with me. I like that,” shares Thakur, his Himachali topi in place. A native of Kangra, he has called Chandigarh home for long now.
The modest place is teeming with patrons, and the courteous staff delivers swiftly. We catch Abhishek Bansal, UPSC aspirant from Fatehgarh Sahib, gorging on a mushroom patty. “My brother introduced to me to Capital bakery,” he beams.
If Swiss rolls and mushroom patties are their hottest selling goods, desi ghee biscuits, coconut cookies and old style macrons enjoy their own loyal patronage. “People come looking for the same taste high on nostalgic value. My father ensures that we continue to cater to that,” says Arti.
