Baker Brigade - Rose Anne George

Here goes another first for me. Given my foodie fixation, meeting the people behind the scenes, getting to know more about them and what drives them to do what they do, is sometimes as much fun as digging into their delightful desserts. 

Launching the 'Baker Brigade Series', with one of the city's home-bakers, just in time for the 2nd Baker Showcase.

"Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose", goes the famous poem of yore by Gertrude Stein. Call it by any name and yet it stays sweet in its fragrance. Chennai's very own Macaron Queen - Rose Anne George - knows only too well about the sight, sound, taste and smell of baking. Not only is she charming, pretty and delicate as a flower, her kitchen is as aromatic as they come.

Rose Anne George

Primarily a self-taught baker with basic baking inputs from her mother, Rose enjoys and revels in the aromas that emanate from her kitchen and engulf her lovely, warm and inviting home. Needless to add, cooking is her passion, and Rose loves trying out dishes from around the world. A mother of two, Rose is currently glowing and basking in the role of a mother and a home-baker after a successful career in the corporate world.

Caramel Cake

She is a decade old in the IT industry and ageless when it comes to child-like enthusiasm towards her hobbies. Happiest when churning out the yummiest of homemade goodies for her family and friends, Rose entered the professional home-baking scene practically overnight. Along with her husband’s help, she came up with a name, logo and printed material for her home-based business just a couple of days before the 1^st Baker Showcase, held on June 30^th in Chennai. Her baking venture is called Oven 180 Degrees.

Fondant Birthday Cake

Her goodies, especially the colourful, scrumptious and delicious French macarons – made even more unique since she was the only home-baker selling the delicacy – were an instant superhit. The flavours available were pista, chocolate, vanilla, red velvet and lemon curd with assorted ganache fillings. 

French Macarons

This time around, Rose will be bringing a lot more to the table, quite literally. These will include a potpourri of macarons, cakes, speciality cookies, brownies, tarts, mousses and cheesecakes. She will be catering (pun intended again) to popular flavours such as vanilla, chocolate, lemon, peanut butter, caramel, banana, pista, and dulce de leche.

Rose is now a ‘senior member’ of the 2^nd Baker Showcase, coming up on the 13^th of October in Chennai, having now gained experience in participation. She has been keeping busy devising newer recipes and exotic creations. Event attendees are following her teaser trailors of the new macaron flavours on the FB event page, and can’t wait to get their hands on these wonderful gulp-able goodies. 

Dulce de leche Swirl Cheesecake Bars

Pictures below showcase some of Rose's favourite creations. Her inexhaustive list would contain favour cupcakes, milk chocolate mendiants, lemon mini bundts, dulce de leche swirl cheesecake bars, a fondant birthday cake, her popular signature dish -- and my personal favourite -- the simple-looking but ultra delicious caramel cake, fudge brownies, and eggless chocolate, vanilla, and caramel cupcakes with assorted frosting.

Fudge Brownies

Milk Chocolate Mendiants

Oven 180 Degrees FB Page