Koregaon Park, Pune Hotels Offer Baking Workshops Led by New Chef de Partie

PUNE, INDIA--(Marketwired - Sep 22, 2014) - India is known for its cuisine, from delicately layered curries to sinfully sweet desserts. When it comes to traditional baking, however, there are few places where people can learn the tricks of the trade. To feed the curious minds of both locals and guests, the Courtyard Pune City Centre launched its baking workshop series, led by its new Chef de Partie Gerwin D'souza.

The man behind the freshly baked items at MoMo 2 Go, the hotel's grab-and-go Pune restaurant, D'souza led around 100 participants in the first workshop, Bake Like a Pastry Chef, in May. With a mix of seasoned and novice bakers, the workshop covered popular desserts including eggless tiramisu, healthy oat cookies, soft cheesecake, frosted muffins, tea cakes and crisp buttery shortbread cookies.

June at this 4-star hotel in Pune hosted Baking Breads with Gerwin, offering a step-by-step demonstration to creating some of Europe's most popular breads, including ciabatta, focaccia, baguette and multigrain bread. Savory was followed by sweet, with August's workshop focused on cake-baking and decorating. Eager bakers learned the secrets behind making the perfect gateaux.

A unique opportunity, available exclusively at this Pune, India hotel, workshops offer participants more than just a demonstration. Guests are served bite-sized portions of the day's recipes, helping them to understand the taste, texture and flavours. An extensive Q&A allows participants get tips directly from D'souza, and everyone receives a take-home goodie bag filled with items they learned to prepare in class.

Those who can't make it in person can still reap the rewards; each workshop is uploaded on the hotel's YouTube channel and shared across social media. Classes are reasonably priced at Rs. 550 all inclusive.

About the Courtyard Pune City Centre
A central location near the airport, railway station, Magarpatta City, Eon IT Park and Koregaon Park make the Courtyard Pune City Centre a natural choice for business travellers, but it has plenty to offer vacationing visitors, too. Destination dining in Pune, India draws in-the-know locals, with the 24-hour restaurant MoMo Café, featuring an array of local and international favorites with both buffet and a la carte options. The hotel's nine event spaces are available to host meetings and celebrations, but its Evviva Sky Lounge offers a less traditional and trendier option, with skyline views, an extensive cocktail and wine menu, music and delicious cuisine. A stylish outdoor pool, complete with sun loungers, is the perfect place to enjoy a pastry, sandwich or refreshing beverage from MoMo 2 Go. Stay active with a well-equipped fitness centre, and relax in spacious accommodations with plenty of natural light, plush bedding, 24-hour room service, an iPod docking station, LCD satellite TV, a desk and Internet access. Nearby, visit popular attractions including Aga Khan Palace, Osho International Meditation Centre, Pune Race Course, the National War Museum and the Lonavala hill station.