Natives of Agra, now settled in Bangalore, Veena and Vinod Singhal have infused the favorite tea-time snack — the crispy, flaky aloo puffs with its characteristic potato filling, something that’s faded away from most present-day bake shops. Running their own bakery in one of the neighborhoods of the city, they strongly believe in staying proactive and earning their own living on their own terms.
When Veena Singhal, along with her husband Vinod Singhal, came to visit their daughter’s family in Bangalore in November 2019, little did they know that the IT Capital of India would become their new home! Not only did they settle down in the city but also made the most of their 30 years of experience in baking business. Running their own bakery in one of the neighborhoods of Bangalore, the couple today has infused the characteristic taste to a variety of bakes, especially the favorite tea-time snack — the crispy flaky savory aloo (potato) puffs.
Making the Most of 30 Years of Baking Business Experience
Natives of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, the Singhals had come over to Bangalore in 2019 to spend some quality time with their daughter and her family, who are residents of the city. However, a few months into the pandemic period and the following lockdowns made it impossible for them to return to their hometown. In between the lockdown phases in 2020, Veena, a seasoned home baker, began baking her specialty aloo ‘patties’ puff (mashed potato filling puffs) to cater to word-of-mouth orders. This North Indian favorite tea-time snack became an instant hit in their new neighborhood. Until they moved to Bangalore, the couple had been running a small yet brisk wholesale bakery business in Agra for nearly 30 years. With their experience in baking coming in handy and Veena’s culinary expertise receiving appreciation from patrons, orders began pouring in. In their 60s, the couple always believed in being self-dependent and earning their own living instead of relying on children’s income. They soon started their own bakery, Puffs & Curries.
Flavorful & Flaky Potato ‘Patties’ Puffs
Ever since, they have embraced Bangalore as their home and infused the characteristic potato filling to the crispy and flaky savory, the aloo puffs. To pack a punch of delight for puff lovers, their deluxe ones are stuffed with raw onions, mixture (namkeen) and flavored up with tangy ketchup. “Many of our customers, who are nostalgic about the original taste of aloo patties, popular in many of the northern cities, crave for a specific aloo filling. When they have our patties, they simply relish that unique flavor,” describes Veena. They also have a variety of biscuits, khaaris and numkeens on their menu.
From putting up their baked products stalls at events in residential complexes to catering to party orders and partnering with food delivery apps, Veena has her hands full on a given day. Literally standing on her toes, you can find her at the counters of her stall, smiling away and eager to give you a quick dekko of her bakes.
Staying Self-Reliant & Proactive
While she genuinely values her family’s love and support, she digs her heels in when it comes to staying proactive and earning on her own terms, regardless of age. “Many people come up to me and ask why I need to do this running around when I am well off. I tell them it’s not about money. When I am blessed with good health and I am capable of being self-reliant, why not?” retorts Veena.
Contact details of bakery:
Ph: 8088341729
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