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Chocolates are one of the ingredients that probably are a part of everyone’s favourite memories. Be it while distributing chocolate bars on a birthday or baking a cake with your family during vacation days, the sweet treat truly has a special place in most people’s hearts. To celebrate it, the World Chocolate Day is commemorated across the globe.
From gooey ganache to frozen desserts, chocolate is the one ingredient that never fails to please a sweet tooth. So, to give an ode to chocolates, Slurrp conducted exclusive interviews with chefs all across India to know more about their memories of the delicious ingredients. Read on and know what the culinary experts have to say about the mouth-melting ingredient.
Chef Surabhi Sehgal
Surabhi Sehgal is a culinary artist known for creating visually stunning dishes that resemble works of art. The renowned chef combines her passion for food and painting to produce unique and creative culinary creations. Surabhi shares in an exclusive Slurrp interview, “Growing up, one of my fondest childhood memories involves my cousin baking us chocolate cake at my grandmother's home during summer vacations. Back then, ingredients were not readily available, and neither did my grandmother have an oven. However, my cousin would bake a simple chocolate cake in the pressure cooker, and this homemade cake was the highlight of our summer vacations.”
Travelling down memory lane, Surabhi says, “In our grandmother's cosy kitchen, we all watched eagerly as our oldest cousin mixed together simple ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, sugar, eggs, and a bit of butter. The smell of chocolate soon filled the air, making our mouths water. She would let us lick the spoon, which was a treat in itself. We sat together, chatting and laughing, waiting for the cake to bake. The anticipation made the experience even sweeter. That simple chocolate cake brought so much joy and created a lasting memory. It wasn’t just a dessert; it was a symbol of our bond and the happiness we could find in the simplest of things.”
When asked about her favourite chocolate treat, the chef further shares, “As a child, one of my most cherished treats was a chocolate bar ice cream. Growing up, such treats were rare and incredibly special. I remember the excitement that would bubble up inside me whenever I heard the familiar jingle of the ice cream cart approaching our neighbourhood. My parents didn't indulge us often. However, on particularly good days, they allowed us to buy a treat. My little sister and I would run to the ice cream cart and eagerly exchange our coins for a chocolate bar ice cream. The cold treat was wrapped in shiny foil, and we could barely wait to tear it open. What made this chocolate bar ice cream so special was its simplicity and the joy it brought. The first bite was always the best. The crisp chocolate shell would crack and give way to creamy vanilla ice cream inside. Even now, the memory of that taste brings a smile to my face, reminding me of the sweet, carefree moments of my youth.”
“As of now, my all-time favourite chocolate dessert has to be a well-made dark chocolate and orange tart. I've had the best one on a recent trip to London. The combination of the rich, bitter and intense flavour of dark chocolate with the bright, zesty notes of fresh orange was just magical. I got back from the vacation and baked my own version of it,” Surabhi says with a glee.
Upon asking her recipe for her all-time favourite dessert, the chef pens down, “My tart begins with a buttery, flaky pastry crust that serves as the perfect base. The filling is where the magic happens. High-quality dark chocolate is melted and blended with cream, creating a luscious, ganache-like mixture. This filling is then infused with fresh orange zest and sometimes a splash of orange liqueur, which adds a citrusy brightness that beautifully complements the deep, rich chocolate. Once poured into the tart shell, the chocolate-orange filling is left to set, resulting in a smooth, firm texture that slices perfectly. The tart can be garnished with candied orange peel, a dusting of cocoa powder, or even a few chocolate shavings to enhance its visual appeal.”
“Apart from this, chocolate ponacotta is my absolute favourite chocolate dessert, and I have made it repeatedly. The reason is simple. It is a very quick dessert that gets ready in no time. It requires a few good quality ingredients and is always a super hit at all my get-togethers. I usually make a big batch and set it in several ramekins in the refrigerator. And serve it with fresh berries or a homemade compote,” Surabhi Sehgal reveals her most-frequently made chocolate dessert.
Chef Sunil Singh
Sunil Singh is a passionate pastry chef renowned for blending classic techniques from different parts of the world and innovating them in Mumbai. His signature desserts are all Bluebop Cafe's current bestsellers. The pastry chef nostalgically shares, “While growing up, my favourite chocolate memory was when my father would come home from the office, and every Friday, he would buy a small Cadbury dairy milk. At that time, that was luxury in every home.”
“As a child, one of my absolute favourite chocolate treats was my grandmother's homemade chocolate fudge. What made it so special was not just its rich, velvety texture and intense chocolate flavour but also the ritual of making it together. My grandmother would carefully melt the chocolate, butter, and condensed milk on the stovetop, filling the kitchen with an irresistible aroma. She'd let me stir the mixture and even sneak a taste of the warm, gooey fudge before it set. The anticipation as we waited for it to cool and solidify in the fridge was almost unbearable, but the reward was worth it. Cutting into the fudge revealed its dense, indulgent consistency that melted in your mouth with each bite. It wasn't just a treat; it was a moment of bonding and love shared with my grandmother, making it truly unforgettable and deeply cherished in my childhood memories,” Sunil Singh adds.
Upon being asked if Sunil’s love for chocolates involved any family traditions, he joyously answers, “Absolutely! Growing up, chocolate was often associated with celebrations and special occasions in my family. One particular tradition that greatly influenced my love for chocolate was our annual holiday baking sessions. Every Christmas, my mother and I would spend hours in the kitchen together, baking a variety of treats, many of which featured chocolate prominently. We would make classic chocolate chip cookies, decadent brownies, and elaborate chocolate cakes adorned with festive decorations. The act of melting chocolate, mixing batter, and patiently waiting for treats to bake created an atmosphere of warmth and excitement. The aroma of chocolate filling the house became synonymous with the joy and anticipation of the holiday season.”
“Moreover, my family had a tradition of giving chocolate as gifts during holidays and birthdays. Whether it was a box of assorted chocolates or a special chocolate dessert, receiving and sharing these treats added to the allure of chocolate as a symbol of love and celebration. These traditions instilled in me a deep appreciation for chocolate, not just as a delicious treat but as a connector of moments and emotions. They played a significant role in shaping my love for chocolate and the fond memories associated with it,” the chef further shares.
“One of my all-time favourite chocolate desserts is a classic molten chocolate cake. There's something truly magical about cutting into that warm, molten centre and watching the rich chocolate sauce oozing out. The contrast between the decadent, gooey interior and the slightly crisp exterior creates a perfect harmony of textures. What makes it even more special is how versatile it can be – whether served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dusting of powdered sugar, or accompanied by fresh berries, each bite is a delightful indulgence. The simplicity yet elegance of a well-made molten chocolate cake never fails to satisfy my chocolate cravings and brings a sense of comfort and joy with every spoonful. Molten chocolate cake is one recipe I always carry with me wherever I go. It's just something that I cannot or will not do away with,” the pastry chef says enthusiastically.
Chef Ganesh Lokhande
Ganesh Lokhande works as a pastry chef at Gaylord’s, Mumbai. He says, “Chocolate has always been one of my favourite mood enhancers. I grew up with Cadbury chocolate, and it has been an incredible part of my childhood. It was the ultimate rewarding tool for me. Be it the times when I did well in exams, stayed out of mischief, was obedient, and exhibited my best behaviour, I was rewarded with chocolates. Some of my favourites were Cadbury milk chocolate, Gems, Nutties KitKat, Toblerone, Ferrero Rocher, etc.”
Ganesh Lokhande further adds, “While growing up, my fondest memory was a birthday chocolate cake from McRonnels Bandra. Everyone in my family loved chocolate, and our traditional birthday cakes always had chocolate. As of today, my all-time favourite treat is biting into a bar of Roasted Hazelnut Chocolate Bar. But as a chef, my favourite recipe to treat friends or family is a walnut chocolate brownie.”
Chef Nikita Shah
Nikita Shah is a recipe developer, avid foodie, traveller, and someone who loves to experiment, be it through her recipes or travels. The entrepreneur started Salt In All back in 2020 to showcase the versatility of vegetarian home food. About chocolates, Nikita says, “Chocolate was always part of my childhood, especially when it was our birthday, and my parents would buy a box of mini dairy milk that we distributed to all my classmates at school. Or even during rakhi when feeding brothers chocolate was given and hoping they fed you back. Especially when we travelled overseas and picked up boxes and large packs of chocolates from duty-free stores. Since my dad absolutely loves chocolate, we were never restricted to having any, and there would always be some form of chocolate at home!”
“I think my love for chocolate was definitely influenced by my father’s love for the treat. As we grew older, we also started liking the ones he would. His and our current favourite are the Dairy Milk Fruit & Nut & Bounty, too. He always had at least one bar of chocolate in his cupboard or by his bedside. If we don’t find chocolate anywhere in the house, that’s where we always find one because he always restocked it,” nostalgically shares.
Nikita further says, “I have always loved a good, warm, gooey mud pie topped with vanilla ice cream. There’s just something about that dessert that makes me so happy! One of my childhood favourites was a coconut & chocolate Swiss roll that my aunt made so often. It’s evident that coconut and chocolate, as a combination, are things I have always enjoyed. It has always been one of my favourite recipes from my childhood.”
“When it comes to a chocolate recipe, if I were to indulge, it would be in my Stuffed Eggless French toast, which is two slices of bread with Nutella sandwiched in between, dipped in a batter flavoured with cinnamon, cooked using butter on a pan till it’s golden, with another generous drizzle of Nutella on top and some fresh strawberries! Nothing gets better than this,” she happily shares.
