Festive treat: Demand for cakes, wine outstrips supply at Bow Barracks
Times of India | 1 January 2025
1234 Kolkata: Bow Barracks emerged as more than just a Christmas destination this year-end festive season as the historic Anglo-Indian enclave in central Kolkata turned into a hotspot for festive treats, like cakes, food and wine, all made by families living in the lane between Hare Street and Bow Bazar police station. The sales of these delicacies this year more than doubled compared to that last year with the growth in Bow Barracks' popularity as a culinary and cultural landmark.
The celebrations at Bow Barracks started with the Kolkata Christmas Festival, organised by the state tourism department.New Year SpecialUnbelievable! 2025's most powerful zodiac predictions are here50+ Happy New Year 2025 Wishes & Quotes to share joy and cheerNumerology 1-9: What the numbers hold for us next yearSeveral families, known for making ginger, grape and cherry wine, cakes and putting up food stalls at the carnival said demand skyrocketed over the past couple of years, thanks to word-of-mouth and social media. More than 25 food stalls came up in and around Bow Barracks just for Christmas and New Year. "Every day, I sold all the food I made. There were days when many returned disappointed," said Christine, a resident of Bow Barracks.
For many in Kolkata, the food and wine made by Bow Barracks families evoke a sense of nostalgia and represent a unique heritage of the city. "I have no stock of wine left now. Every day, I am turning away four to five persons wanting to buy wine," said Erica Gomes, a homemaker who has been making wine for over 15 years. "The demand for food and wine from Bow Barracks picked up in the past couple of years with more people coming to know of them through social media. I start preparing wine from Jan and it gets ready by Dec." Erica's unique recipe, inherited from her grandmother, has become a favourite among regulars.
"The orders are still pouring in. In the evening, there's a queue of revellers outside my house to buy wine," said another resident who sells homemade wine.
The demand for cakes is equally high, with local bakeries working overtime to cater to buyers. Ratan Barua, owner of JN Barua cake shop on Robert Street, said, "Christmas is over, but people are still buying cakes. We've been baking several batches, which are selling within a few hours."
More Kolkatans are discovering the charm of Bow Barracks with its blend of festive cheer, traditional recipes and rich cultural history. "One can get cakes and wine anywhere these days from fancy bakeries and shops selling imported brands. But there's something special about buying them from Bow Barracks," said a visitor. "It's like a piece of history with every bite. The food, the cake, the wine, it's all steeped in history. It's a way of celebrating the city's unique character."