Young Mumbai chef whips up storm, makes diabetic desserts for Valentine's Day
Well, to be honest, Valentine’s Day could be called a bit of a corporate money spinner; however, it is also a very good opportunity to spend a bit more time with the person you are with or the perfect excuse to muster up courage to ask someone out for a date.
However, what do you do if your partner is diabetic? You could go that extra mile and look for chocolates with a higher content of cocoa solids and relatively low amounts of sugar and fat, or, you could call up A Diabetic Chef (ADC).
Meet Harsh Kedia, at 21, the young lad from Mumbai is already whipping up a storm with his diabetic desserts.
A journey in sweets (albeit with a twist) that started a few years back, Kedia is already making waves across the city with his desserts and has a plan or two up his sleeve to make Valentine’s Day special for people who otherwise have to abstain from sweets.
Add Less Sugar and Keep Baking, one of the rules A Diabetic Chef follows.
“The idea for A Diabetic Chef came up when I was 16 and newly diagnosed,” says Kedia, adding, “I was told that eating desserts for me was a resounding no. So I decided to take a stand for myself. If I couldn't eat it outside, I'd bake it in the house for myself, suiting my taste buds and my diet regime.”
The youngster who delivers goodies such as Nutella on Dark Chocolate Brownies or Berry Berry Cake all across Mumbai started his journey when he decided to bake something before a friend's house. It was 2013 and Kedia had been invited to a friend’s birthday party. He knew he could not have cake and instead decided to bake something for himself which stuck to his dietary requirements. One thing led to another and soon enough A Diabetic Chef was born.
A sugar-free creation by Harsh
Baking for diabetics is not a walk in the park. Kedia says that use of sugar is completely banned and so they have to use a plant substitute. “We can't use anything that spikes blood sugar levels, so we try to minimise it at the base,” says the young chef.
A journey which initially saw a very reluctant family now sees his parents being quite thrilled with the idea of him running his own restaurant kitchen.
“But getting them to agree was a Herculean task,” agrees Kedia, quite glad that particular phase is over now.
Nutella cupcakes by Harsh, A Diabetic Chef
ADC is planning to make chocolate baskets for diabetic friends, family and perhaps that special someone in his life this year.
Speaking about his plans, the young chef concludes, “Sugarfree muffins and Chocolates will feature heavily in my creations.”
He goes on to add that he plans to give diabetics a guilt free indulgence this special day.
The 21-year-old who is convinced that people will be keep on coming back once they have tasted ADC products concludes, “We diabetics haven't had the chance to have desserts on our birthdays let alone Valentine's. So this time even if you’re single, ADC is your Valentine, and we promise to indulge you guilt-free.”
