‘I really want to be a pastry chef’

Hospitality student Danesh Irani’s love of cookery has made him opt for higher education Cooking is my passion. To me, cooking or baking means making something different from the original. I try new recipes every weekend. I scour the local markets and grocery stores to find exotic ingredients to add to my recipes. I jot down recipes from international cookery shows, though some of the ingredients are not available in the local market. So, I replace them with my own spices and vegetables. As I have always been fascinated with food, I decided to join All India Shri Shivaji Memorial Society’s College of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (AISSMS) after standard XII. The first three terms gave me a general overview of the hospitality trade, how to dice vegetables and presentation skills among other things. From the fourth semester onwards we were taught food production, hotel accommodation, food and beverage service, marketing, law, accounts and computers. After completing my fourth term, I applied for an internship programme at Singapore Marriott Hotel and worked there for three months. During the first week, I had to observe and assist. Then, I was assigned to the food and beverage service at the hotel. I got the opportunity to make oriental dishes using different sauces, spices and herbs, and beverages. One of the highlights of the internship was assisting the chef in baking cakes, pastries and cookies. The milk, flour and cream are different there. During the bakery sessions, I learned to use the entire vanilla pod instead of the seeds. The internship taught me different aspects of cooking and baking. It made me realise what I really want to become is a pastry chef. After completing my graduation this year, I am planning to go abroad for my masters’ degree and pursue a special course in baking. Those who want to make a career in this industry must love food. It is a liking for good taste and one must also acquire the skills to cook up dishes that can pamper the palates of other people, that will ensure your success.