Croissants and passion define the essence of the new Lavonne Cafe in Delhi. You will meet croissant-shaped lightings, sandwiches made of croissants called croissanwiches and obviously an array of nicely buttered croissants in all forms. And the passion of the people at Lavonne cafe is felt when you breathe the aroma of freshly baked bread and take a look at the wide range of delectable delights.
Director Ishita Gupta emphasizes the cafe's commitment to using fresh ingredients and upholding culinary expertise, 'I hope that everyone will understand the ingredients that we use and how freshly they are produced, which is not the case in a lot of bakeries. Also, the fact that we have an academy, stands for itself that we really understand what we are doing and we stand by it, nothing is done just on trends.' Co-founder, Chef Avin Thaliath, further shares on their detemination of upholding the food taste and quality, ‘We’re proud to have hosted the biggest names in the pastry industry and continue being the preferred facility in India for top chefs from across the world to conduct their masterclasses in the country. Names like Antonio Bachour, Frank Haasnoot and Nina Tarasova continue to partner with Lavonne to bring their individual styles and techniques to the exploding pastry market here in India.’
After captivating palates in Bangalore, Lavonne Academy of Baking Science and Pastry Arts, along with its cafe, now graces the elegant streets of Defence Colony. Co-founder Chef Vinesh Johnny expresses excitement about extending Lavonne's legacy to Delhi, ‘We are thrilled to bring Lavonne Academy's legacy to Delhi, providing aspiring bakers and pastry enthusiasts with the opportunity to learn and create in a world-class culinary environment. Lavonne Academy is committed to bringing baking and pastry arts from the sidelines of gastronomic pursuit into the mainstream and immortalizing its significance in the country as a profession.’
More than decade ago, Chef Vinesh Johny and Chef Avin Thaliath wanted to further explore their culinary craft but all the options they had for studying baking were only available abroad. Thus, an idea was born to start the first baking school of Asia, Lavonne Academy, by joining hands with the third partner, Mr Lijo Chandy. However, upon starting the academy, they realized a gap in consumer awareness regarding the diverse range of offerings taught at the academy. Despite students mastering various delicacies, they found themselves predominantly making cookies and brownies to meet market demand. To bridge this gap and educate consumers, they conceived the idea of Lavonne Cafe. Chef Vinesh Johny explains, “Lavonne Cafe serves as a showcase for the talents of the academy's students and alumni, providing them with a platform to share their culinary creations with the public. Everything on the cafe menu is freshly produced at the Academy kitchen every day, and the cafe is where the artistry taught within the academy comes to life,” says Chef Vinesh Johny. “PS: Our croissants are unmissable! We have been perfecting them for over a decade,” he adds.
Gupta shares insights into the design ethos of the Delhi branch, aiming to recreate Bangalore's ambiance in the capital. "In selecting the space, our goal was to find a location with a touch of greenery and an uncluttered environment. While challenging in Delhi, we strived to make the best choice possible." The vision was for an earthy, spacious setting, infused with greenery and abundant natural light. The result is a cozy and serene atmosphere, accentuated by the gentle glow filtering through the rectangular windows.
From the Lavonne Signature Omelette featuring truffle mashed potato, brie, and grilled cherry tomato, to the French Benedict with perfectly poached eggs nestled in choux pastry filled with mushroom, cheese, bacon, and hollandaise foam, your taste buds are in for a treat. For a nutritious boost, savor the power-packed Ragi Malt & Cacao Smoothie Bowl or delight in the decadent Tiramisu French Toast. Wash it all down with a refreshing Blueberry smoothie to kickstart your day. And don't forget to save room for the sweet masterpieces, including the Raspberry Lamington, Strawberry Rice Pudding, Pistachio & Saffron Apricot Cheesecake, and the irresistible Seven Chocolate Mousse Cake.
Words Paridhi Badgotri
Date 01.05.2024