Master patissiers at play
Two local chefs have won the first prize and runner’s up award at a prestigious national level food competition that took place.
If you have the passion to do something, then opportunities will automatically come your way. And, that’s what happened for two patisseries from namma ooru. Prarthana Narang and Danish Khan have secured the position of winner and first runner up respectively in a competition to determine the Callebaut Patissier of the Year 2019. Now Prathana is all set with packed bags to head to Belgium for a two day course while Danish will head to Singapore.
Prarthana Narang: Not wanting to live a mediocre life and to do something unique, she took a string of baking classes she took which made here realise her love for baking. The professional culinary world is largely male dominated. On how she overcame this, she adds, “Passion, passion and only passion.
Your skills are your assets.” When asked what are the three qualities one needs to be a master patissier, she replies, “I’m still far away for being one or even to answer this. I feel that one has to have the desire, the passion, the right attitude, appropriate basic skills and to keep competing with yourself are few of the qualities one can possess to achieve greatness. I came across this competition through social media. A push from the institute I was working at, a few dedicated hours daily, experimenting with flavours and garnishes is what helped me put on a good performance,” adds Prarthana who was born and raised in Chennai but did her schooling in Bengaluru. Her design is largely inspired on Artificial Intelligence taking over the world. AI Vs COCOA garnered her praises on her passion, dedication and eye for detail. Ask her what’s next?, “I’m really looking forward for the master class in Belgium and to get back to my teaching,” she concludes adding that when she not busy, she paints plated desserts which pleases her the most.
Danish Khan: Seeing the creativity of chefs in their masterpieces during his training, Danish wanted to become a pastry chef to be able to showcase his art and creativity. Drawing, painting and doing crafts since his childhood, Danish shares that his biggest inspiration is always his father who is also an artiste. On how he enrolled for this competition he says, “I found out about it via an email shared by my executive chef. I submitted my portfolio, got shortlisted for the boot camp and was then nominated for the final.”
Keeping in mind the theme for this year, ‘Future of Chocolate’, Danish came up with ‘Tron Legency’ which is half nature and half robotic. “What I felt lacking was the techniques I used. I should have stuck to casting or moulding rather than sculpting,” he shares adding that he always has an eye on his surrounding while seeking inspiration. On which of the judges he wanted to please the most, he adds, “I was most excited to see Chef Avijit Ghosh’s happiness with my product.” On what’s next for him, “My ultimate dream is to represent India in ‘World Chocolate Master’,” he concludes