She’s bright and chatty, loves experimenting with food and shuttles between her home in Delhi (hubby Devansh Jain and son Aryavardhan) and family in Calcutta (parents Sanjiv and Preeti Goenka and brother Shashwat) to check if things are in order at Au Bon Pain. t2 caught up with Avarna Jain at the Park Street food stop.
Why the new design elements at Au Bon Pain (Park Street)?
Avarna: We used to find that our customers would walk in, but not know whether to go left, right or straight or whether to ask someone for help. In the US, these things are normal — every other cafe is self-service but in India, people are used to being waited upon. So the idea is to make the customer feel welcome and comfortable. [The new Au Bon Pain design has signage that spells out everything. As you enter through the glass door, you walk straight, pick up a tray, open the glass shelves and pick what you want, fill a cup with a beverage, and head towards the billing counter. Note the wooden track-like design element on the ceiling that subconsciously works as a guide.]
Three global trends that guided the Au Bon Pain menu…
Avarna: Bite-sized portions hence the Roulade on the new menu. Moving away from the traditional so we have a patty made of rice instead of maida in the Rice-Wich and a Poha Bagel with a Sabutdana Patty instead of hash browns. Breakfast is also getting more popular.
Preeti, what memories do you have of Avarna in the kitchen as a child?
Preeti: Avarna has always been very fond of cooking — from aloo ki sabzi to sushi. It was her stress-buster, even during exams. She would call friends over and prepare a sit-down dinner, complete with rolled menus!
Do any of you watch MasterChef?
Avarna and Preeti: Oh yes, MasterChef Australia! Except for Season 1, we have seen them all. Even MasterChef Junior, you see the things they cook, it’s outstanding! It really motivates you…
Avarna, if you weren’t the Au Bon Pain lady, you would…
Avarna: Probably have a stand-alone restaurant, something related to food for sure!
Do you also understand the finance side of business?
Avarna: (Laughs) I have to! I don’t think my dad (Sanjiv Goenka) gives me a choice! That’s the basic of doing business.
How do you juggle baby and business?
Avarna: I have very supportive parents and in-laws who are most happy to take care of Aryavardhan. My husband is busy with work but fortunately doesn’t travel much. Aryavardhan is as old as the Park Street Au Bon Pain (December 23, 2013). On the day of the opening I went into labour!
Preeti: Avarna delivered three weeks early. I happened to be on a flight that very same day to Delhi on some other work. It was only when I landed that I was told — ‘come straight to the hospital, she is in labour’.
Does Aryavardhan eat at Au Bon Pain?
Avarna: Like most kids today, he knows what he wants to eat. He knows Au Bon Pain and likes the non-spicy version of the Mac & Cheese here. He also likes to eat all kinds of pasta and noodles.
Preeti: He’s also fond of his dal a little bit and bhindi…
Your fave items on the menu are…
Avarna: Paneer Cone-Wich, Roulade and Piri Piri Mac & Cheese.
Preeti: I’m still fond of the original Toasted Bagel with Cream Cheese and the soups. Soups are something you don’t get everywhere.
Finally, Avarna, describe Au Bon Pain in three adjectives…
Young, fun and comforting.
Text: Karo Christine Kumar
Pictures: Rashbehari Das
