The day of heart-shaped balloons, mushy letters and endearing gifts draws close, and hundreds of love-struck men and women are seen rushing to cakes shops and confectionaries to sweeten the year’s most romantic day.
Sabeetha Shyam, a home baker from Chennai, says, “I usually do 3-D cakes that are a big hit with customers, especially white heart-shaped ones with hand-painted sugar craft flowers on top. Some people have a huge party on Valentine’s Day and order large cakes as well.”
Some couples prefer personalised cakes to celebrate February 14, as Sangeetha Ramamurthy of Lil Delights remarks, “I get requests for edible roses, heart-shaped gift boxes and cakes with customised wordings or names on them, mostly in pink or red! My V-Day special is Bailey’s Irish cream infused cupcakes with buttercream filling and ganache frosting.”
But if there’s one ingredient that’s guaranteed to make the day particularly special, it’s chocolate! Our infatuation with chocolate began nearly 2,000 years ago, and since then it has been considered an aphrodisiac.
Scientists even claim that the chemical phenylethylamine in chocolate gives rise to feelings of excitement, attraction and pleasure. It’s no surprise that bakeries capitalise on this logic!
“Our products for this romantic occasion are completely chocolate-themed.
Everything is chocolate flavoured; lollypops, bouquets, flowers, all printed with messages like ‘I love you’ and ‘You’re My Valentine.’ Our crowning glory is a resplendent Taj Mahal made entirely of white chocolate! Now that’s a symbol of true love, to convey your inner-most feelings,” says Balaji, Manager at Chocko Choza, Coimbatore.
Others like Nanditha Sashidharan of The Sugar Hut have come up with unique novelties, as she quips, “I introduce a new line for each festival and for V-Day, it’s my mini celebration cupcakes.
The specialty is that they look exactly like a big ol’ cake, even with layers inside, but they’re small enough to fit on the palm of my hand! I’ve also prepared some funky, heart-shaped butter and shortbread cookies with fillings like chocolate ganache, raspberry, strawberry, vanilla, etc. and a whole assortment of whipped cream flowers!”
So, this Valentine’s Day if you can’t find someone to love, you can always fall in love with what you eat!
Getaway
A paradise for chocolate lovers, Café Chokolade has opened new outlet in Egmore. Variety of chocolates are available at the outlet for this Valentines day.
Venue:
No. 10/1A3,
Montieth Road,
Egmore.
Contact: 2816 1000
Lavish treat
Love is in the air at The Verandah. Views of the pool, the music of rustling leaves, whispers of sweet somethings and a lavish buffet to linger over make for a very special Valentine’s Day. Date:February 14, 2012. Dinner only. Contact: 6600 2827
Romantic place
The Crown is offering a candle light dinner with a special tasting menu which is certain to make you fall in love again & again for this Valentines day. The Crown is at The Residency Towers, 115, Thyagaraya Road, T. Nagar Ph: 044 28156363
Celebration time
The Park is organising a dessert fest this Valentine season. Gourmet selection of designer cup cakes in delectable flavors and frostings by the expert chefs. Celebrate the month of love with pretty boxes of the petite delicacies for your loved ones.
Contact: 42676000
V-day specials
Valentine’s day special at Greens & Grains — delicious north and south Indian thaali meals — buy one thaali and get the other thaali free!
Greens & Grains, 443 Avinashi Road, Opp. UCO Bank, Coimbatore. Contact:
0422-4399499
