The Gypsy Baker – Exploring the Art of Cooking

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With the breakdown of the generic restaurant & dining machinery, coupled with the time at our disposal to introspect & rediscover our inner-song (the only silver lining of this pandemic); has resulted in an overwhelming exposition of our creative traits. In the same chain of thought, The Gypsy Baker is Christine’s triumphant story as a confectioner.

Galvanized by her gypsy soul & her bohemian way of life, to dream, to create & to inspire, the painter & writer unleashed her baking skills, which until now had been merely a passion, as she was separated from her studio space. Baking over the years was a way to reconnect & relive her childhood memories, one of them was watching her mother create scrumptious delicacies. But then it all changed & took a turn when she received a panicked call from a friend to bake a cake for his daughter’s 15th birthday. Christine then started doing this for her friends on their birthdays during the lockdown just to bring a smile in an otherwise grey period. After another couple of such instances, the Gypsy Baker gradually came into being, & naturally, her offerings were meant to be shared with a larger audience.

Her approach was guided by the ‘inherent artist in her’. Even while curating her menu she included items that resonate with her identity, some of the confectionaries include her ‘Fudgy Lemon Squares’, ‘Coffee Latte Squares’ & ‘Sticky Gluten-Free, Refined sugar-free Date & Walnut squares are just the beginning. Furthermore, the menu is not limited to the sweet tooth but also includes savouries which are so unique to her! The best seller, Suzie’s Cheese Twists, her mum’s recipe, she has tweaked to her style. Her signature potted meats are unique such as ‘The Cumberland styled Potted Meat’, ‘The English styled Potted Meat & ‘Basil & Chicken Potted Meat’ & make a great conversation starter over a cracker or two. On the vegetarian front, there’s the ‘Beetroot Mousse with Feta’, ‘Vegan Mushroom & Walnut Pate’ & the Black Olive, Rosemary & Oatmeal muffins to name a few. However most importantly, apart from the exquisite delight experienced by one’s palate, there is an insightful projection of form, space & texture in her creations.

It is safe to say that the items on the menu are the accomplishment of Christine’s artistic vision, infused with the baker’s obsession for holistic tangibility. The experience starts before you even taste it. The presentation & packaging of the product is no doubt Instagram worthy, but one needs to adopt a slightly enhanced, almost discerning eye to view her creations. ‘The Coffee Latte Squares’, to simply state that they are a coffee lover’s paradise would be a lacklustre description, because it is so much more. The core of this delicate entity gets enshrined in its layered-symmetric form, which is filled with homemade almond mascarpone & vanilla flavoured non-dairy cream. The square shape almost resembles an edifice erected, a layer at a time, commencing with Vanilla sponge dipped in a sweetened black coffee Liqueur that is flavoured with a coffee vodka, all of which is finally topped with a chocolate-covered coffee bean, toasted almond slices & cocoa dust!

All in all, it’s an intriguing menu, one which pushes you to overcome your comfort zone. Christine stays true to her ethos & has even politely redirected, run-of-the-mill orders in the past. It’s perhaps her gypsy spirit that inspires her to explore & share a new perspective with her audience. One such item that showcases a renewed horizon is the potted meats section. Available in three preparations, this dense, mysterious loaf is delightful because of its subtle, yet well-defined taste. Topped with a homemade infused oil this is indeed a unique & exclusive offering. Speaking of bespoke services, the Gypsy Baker also provides personalised gift hampers, which consists of an assortment of products. These hampers also have a touch of art, for instance for one such order the tray was painted keeping the theme in mind.

After the revelry is over, what strikes the most about the preparations is the overall nuance. There is an intended underplay of heaviness, which in turn makes it’s possible for the partaker to relish the taste & flavour, rather than feeling bloated.

A special mention must be given to Christine’s better half for his support & for being responsible for the logistics. The Gypsy Baker delivers within city limits & accepts orders 24 – 48 hours in advance.

Call +91-9821039231 to order now!

Pic Credit: Jordana Quadros