The Big Fat Bollywood Wedding Cake

Even as the world is in a tizzy about the upcoming Royal Wedding, I think we speak for each one of Sonam Kapoor's nearly 13 million Instagram followers when we say that we haven't had enough of #SonamkiShaadi! The newlyweds are busy being madly in love on the French Riviera, so we caught up instead with Chef Pooja Dhingra, pâtissier to the stars and the woman behind the cakes at Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja's big, fat, Bollywood wedding. Read on for all the details.

For a couple that are so completely out of the box, how did you decide on the shapes and flavours of the wedding cakes?

This was one of the hardest cakes for me to design because, what can you make for a couple that's anything but conventional?! A couple that doesn't fit into boxes. Something with layers, with textures, where colours merge and blend and shine. Something with structure but also flowing, something solid but full of warmth and love.

Tell us about the bride and groom figurines on the chocolate wedding cake. Who's idea was that?

They were a gift from a dear friend of the couple and the concept was an inside joke between them.

Were the marigolds inspired by the song "genda phool" from Sonam starrer Dilli 6?

Yes! I also thought it would be fitting to use these gorgeous flowers that are so intrinsic to Indian rituals for this cake.

The 6-tiered reception cake was stunning! Is there a story behind each layer?

We made some classic favourites for the 6 tiers such as Chocolate Mud Cake, Hazelnut Crunch with Chocolate Ganache, Toffee, Salted Caramel, Rose and Vanilla. It was genuinely a baking effort of epic proportions! Each layer was baked, decorated and transported separately and then finally assembled and the finishing touches completed at the The Leela with the gracious support of their pastry chefs.

How many pastry chefs helped Pooja bake the cakes?

It was an absolute team effort and over 10 people were involved in the making.

How involved were Sonam and Anand with the cakes? Did you have several cake tastings before deciding on the final two?

They were a dream couple and left it entirely up to us! Both have been regulars at Le15 and so we didn't even need a tasting.

How and when did you first meet with Sonam and Anand?

We actually first spoke a few years ago when Sonam called to place her first order at Le15. We then met again soon after through common friends, and the rest, as they say, is history!

With the Royal Wedding now being the talk of every town, what would you bake for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry?

I would probably make something non-traditional for the younger royal couple. Perhaps a naked cake with fresh florals and summer fruit and berries.

Any more Bollywood wedding cakes in Le 15's future?

Stay tuned to our Instagram to find out ;)

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