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Of Danish pastries

Nanban Bakery is based on a unique concept

PHOTO: G. MOORTHY

DELECTABLE Wide range to choose from

Young or old, creamy pastries or crispy cookies are a definite attraction. It is difficult to resist the temptation of swirling in a mouthful of cream and spongy soft cake. And nothing beats Danish pastries, considered to be one of the finest in the world.

So then here is your chance. Newly opened Nanban Danish Bakery on Panagal Road, with new and different bakery items comes as a good evening eat-out alternative.

Danish tag

But why Nanban has gone Danish? From recipes to seating chairs, ovens to refrigeration systems, everything is imported from Denmark. Even the chief baker, Jani Batsha Mastani Rahman, has a Danish tag attached to him. He was trained there extensively and exclusively. "I know nearly 16 varieties of pastries but only half-a-dozen of them are popular in the city," he says, listing out names like `Ruelle deje' and `vinupple'."

The bakery outlet was started by S. James, founder-secretary of Nanban, a Centre for Street and Working children. Almost the entire staff at the bakery is from the centre. It comes across as a pleasant surprise to hear about Rahman, who ran away from home and was picked up by the staff of the centre from Madurai Railway Junction. "We started this bakery to provide alternative placements to children and to help them progress. A conducive environment is necessary for them to merge with the mainstream society in due course. Our earnest attempt has borne fruits," says Mr.James.

In association with Danish charity organization, Help Children, the centre organized a three-month training in baking in Denmark for three boys from Nanban centre. "Later, they sponsored sophisticated equipment like the oven, dough sheeter and bun divider, and helped us to set up a baking unit," shares Mr.James with much gratitude.

Apart from Rahman, L.Arul and V.S. Ganesh were other beneficiaries, who went to Denmark for training.

Now, Rahman is a certified baker of Master Bakers and Confectioners, Denmark. Impressed by his performance, the Danish Bakers Association has permitted Nanban to use their logo for the products made here.

Bread varieties

Besides pastries and cakes in the menu, Nanban also sells two dozen varieties of bread including the `franksbrod', a white bread, `horndej', `kuvertbrod' and `rundstykker'. "The rundstykker is a traditional morning bread. It is made of wheat flour and leaven. The crispy crust is decorated with poppy seeds, which gives the bread a good appearance and a great taste. It is very hard to promote varieties other than the conventional bread here. Even the European bread, which is marginally hard on the surface, does not go well with the people. Of course, the increasing awareness on diabetes has resulted in a spurt in sale of sugar-free bread varieties," points out Mr. Rahman.

For the quality of products on offer, the prices at Nanban are very competitive.

Asserts Mr. James: "We are not here to make huge profits. Our proceeds from here are ploughed into welfare schemes for inmates of Nanban Centre."

The Bakery also offers an array of fast food items including pizzas and burgers to attract the customers. The Nanban Danish Bakery has two more branches in the city — on the East Veli Street and Pandia Vellalar Street. Their factory is located at Thuvariman.

For all pastry addicts, Nanban is fast becoming a destination.

Whatever little or more, the customer pays for the items purchased, it has a social cause attached to it. For more details and orders dial 2475263.

T. SARAVANAN

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