For Pune resident Jay Panchpor (27), a passport has a dual meaning — one is a stamped palm-sized official documentation; the other is bread. He sees both as gateways into new worlds. Five years ago, the biomedical engineer had a very different plan charted out for life — one that did not involve an oven and a chef’s hat but instead a master’s degree from Georgia Tech University, Atlanta.

How did the latter segue into the former? Fate.

Today, Jay’s CrustWorthy Gourmet Breads — a venture that is unboxing the spectrum of bread from across cultures — belies its identity as a startup. It is also, Jay says, a commitment to culinary heritage. With a turnover of Rs 24 lakh, the business is set to infuse the baking space in India with gourmet breads that go beyond being flaky treats; they are also emblematic of history.

‘I came across a random bread recipe’

Most residents of Pune have had the same morning ritual for the last four years; they make a stop at a certain parking slot in the Navi Peth area of the city — the CrustWorthy Gourmet Breads address. They strongly believe that the recipe for a happy morning is a cup of tea and some flaky, buttered bread. The fact that they have not just the buns but a smorgasbord of options — sourdoughs, Korean cream cheese buns, bagels, babkas, pretzels — to choose from adds to the fun.

As Jay hustles to meet the requirements of the morning grind, he recalls the road that led him here, to The Better India. The lockdown played a big role. “While I had always been a foodie, I had never considered a career in this space. One day, during the lockdown, while browsing on my phone, I came across a bread recipe.” His inner critic laughed. “I had no experience of baking. I didn’t even know what yeast looked like.” On a whim, Jay decided to try out the........

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