Mumbai’s Pooja Dhingra — From Home-Based Chocolatier to Pioneering French Patisserie in India
From home kitchen to being crowned India’s ‘macaron queen’, celebrity patissier Pooja Dhingra’s Le15 redefined the dessert landscape in Mumbai and beyond.
9 September 2024
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Photo Credit:Le15
Meet Pooja Dhingra, the pastry powerhouse behind Le15 Patisserie, where she introduced the art of French baking and then put a decidedly Indian stamp on it. With her vibrant macarons and show-stopping cakes, she’s not just doling out pastries; she’s whipping up a revolution that’s sweetening the culinary scene across India’s restaurants and cafes. Pooja has taken traditional French techniques, sprinkled in some desi* flair and created a dessert destination that’s as much about flavour as it is about fun.
Pooja is also a best-selling author, TV personality, podcast host, Instagram influencer, community connector supporting farmers and an empowerment advocate championing the cause for women in business.
Born and raised in Mumbai, Pooja’s journey into the world of baking began with an insatiable curiosity and a deep passion for desserts. Her formative years were marked by a blend of academic pursuits and culinary experiments, leading her to the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. There, she honed her skills, immersing herself in the art of French patisserie. The experience proved transformative, equipping her with the technical prowess and creative flair that would later fuel her entrepreneurial spirit.
Photo Credit:Le15
“When I studied in Paris, I fell in love with French patisserie—specifically macarons and I wanted to bring that same magic to India,’’ says Dhingra. “However, I also recognised that we needed to adapt to the Indian palate. Le15 has always been about more than just desserts—it’s about creating experiences. I believe the key factors to our success have been a commitment to quality and staying true to our brand ethos.’’
She started her journey from her home kitchen, experimenting with recipes and creating chocolate confections that reflected her love for French techniques. The turning point came when Dhingra decided to turn her passion into a professional venture. In 2010 she launched Le15 Patisserie, named after her favourite Parisian quartier, the 15th arrondissement.
Photo credit: Le15
That decision proved immensely fruitful. Her Le15 brand is now spread over several boutique patisseries across Mumbai and ships to other cities within India. She’s also become the go-to pastry chef for celebrity weddings from cricketer Virat Kohli’s wedding to billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s daughter’s nuptials and Bollywood superstars Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt.
Crafting cakes for celebrity special occasions has only added to Dhingra’s success | Photo Credit: Telegraph India
The brand’s success can be attributed to its commitment to quality and innovation as Dhingra manages to capture the essence of French patisserie while adapting it to local tastes and preferences. The introduction of Indian elements such as rose, saffron and chai into traditional French recipes while keeping the essence of French pastry intact has set Le15 apart, allowing it to resonate with a diverse clientele. She skillfully capitalises on nostalgia by infusing flavours such as Bournvita and Parle-G. These iconic brands evoke fond childhood memories for many Indians — Bournvita is a beloved malt drink associated with growing up, while Parle-G biscuits are a staple snack enjoyed during school days and family gatherings. By incorporating these familiar tastes into her gourmet treats, Pooja creates a bridge between cherished memories and modern culinary experiences.
Photo credit: Le15
At Le15, Dhingra has emphasised not just the product but the entire experience of enjoying desserts that are both visually stunning and delicious. The patisserie offers a range of artisanal pastries, chocolates and cakes, each crafted with precision and a deep respect for traditional French techniques. From macarons and éclairs to tarts and pralines, Le15’s menu showcases Dhingra’s dedication to authenticity and excellence.
Photo credit: Le15
Featured on the Forbes ’30 under 30′ list both in India and Asia, Dhingra has won acclaim from critics and customers not just for her skills as a patissier but also for her incredible entrepreneurial journey. She also hosts a popular podcast called #NoSugarCoat, has been a Masterchef India judge and has published six books, winning second place at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards with her first—The Big Book of Treats. Her other popular books include The Wholesome Kitchen and the best-seller Can’t Believe It’s Eggless. Despite all this, Dhingra’s entrepreneurial journey is far from over. She’s looking to expand Le15 Patisserie with more stores in Mumbai and within India and is also keen to increase the brand’s digital presence, making Le15 more accessible to people across different cities through online deliveries, she says.
Dhingra has become a name synonymous with sweet success, culinary innovation and a pioneering figure in the Indian dessert industry. She has played a crucial role in popularising French desserts in India, introducing a sophisticated palate to a market that was previously underserved in this niche. Her success story is a celebration of creativity, dedication and the joy of bringing a touch of French elegance to Indian sweets.
*a loose term used to describe the peoples, cultures, and products of the Indian subcontinent and their diaspora
All photos credit: Le15
Author: Pooja Thakur
Pooja Thakur is a senior journalist, writer, and editor with over 20 years of experience in print and digital media and in creating custom content for periodicals. She has been a long-serving senior reporter at Bloomberg News covering areas such as real estate, stocks and personal finance and investing across markets with a focus on Southeast Asia and India. In her free time, she enjoys scuba diving, rucking and finding the newest watering hole in town.
