The aroma of freshly baked pies, tarts, muffins, and cakes fills the air and lingers for anyone passing by the A block of Connaught Place. Today, this central hub of the city is brimming with several newer confectionaries and bakeries, but the old-world charm of Wenger's continues to draw patrons from different parts of Delhi and overseas visitors too. Since its inception in 1926, there has never been a day or time when this bakery did not have a large crowd of customers.
Oh, yes, you read that right. The legacy of Wenger's can be traced back to the pre-independence era, when a Swiss couple with the surname Wenger laid the foundation of one of the most iconic bakeries in town. Having been one of the oldest confectionaries in the capital, the British architecture of Sir Robert Tor Russell still finds resonance in the current structure.
While the bakery existed even before the plan for Connaught Place was decided, it was after the transfer of the business to the Tandons in 1945 that Wenger's became our very own. Retaining the good quality and variety of baked goods as well as the essence of the confectionary, Mr. Aman Tandon, the fifth-generation entrepreneur of this family business, expresses, "A family-run business flourishes if the quality is sustained. It only takes pure effort and close personal supervision to maintain the legacy of the past and its reputation."
Upon being asked about the speciality back in the olden days, he remarks, "Buttercream pastries were hugely popular back then, and the three most popular flavours were vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate." Apart from this, plum cakes, chicken sandwiches, and muffins are some of the items from the menu that have been popular among patrons ever since the British days.
What was once a ballroom dance hall and expatriate dinner venue transformed into Wenger's, a densely packed confectionery that delighted both children and adults. The fact that people from across the country travel to get a taste of this British-style bakery is not a misconception. Mrs. Navita Sharma, who runs a home kitchen in Jalandhar, states, "Born and brought up in Delhi, my childhood memories include heading to Wenger's during Christmas and getting the shami kebabs and chicken patties packed for everyone at home. Ever since I got married and moved to Jalandhar, I have kept craving these bites time and again." And that has been the reason behind her frequent visits to the capital, too.
To keep up with the latest trends and competition in the market, Mr. Tandon believes that the introduction of "products like red velvet pastry, baguette pizzas, macrons, sourdough bread, jalapeño pepper and cheese bread, four-grain bread, ciabatta, etc." has helped them stay relevant despite new players. This also reminded us of a plush dining space that opened up a few years ago adjacent to the bakery, called Wenger's Deli. The idea behind this new setup was to provide the patrons with a diverse experience away from the hustle-bustle of people thronging in and out of the shop. What’s different at the deli, you ask? "Salads, paninis, pasta, smoothies, and shakes are available at Wenger's Deli," says Mr. Tandon, which adds to the already extensive menu at Wenger's and gives you another reason to stop by and please your hearts, minds, bellies, and souls with their delightful food.