Anne Hathaway’s latest revelation on The Kelly Clarkson Show has left the internet buzzing. The actress, known for her roles in films like The Devil Wears Prada, recently shared her “golden rule” when it comes to dining out: “If a restaurant doesn’t have good bread, don’t bother with the cake.”
While the statement may seem lighthearted, it has prompted a wider conversation about the relationship between bread and cake in the culinary world. To delve deeper into the topic, Indianexpress reached out to chefs to gauge their thoughts on Hathaway’s claim.
Celebrity chef Ananya Banerjee offered insight into the deeper meaning behind Hathaway’s rule. She explained that bread-making is often viewed as a fundamental skill in the culinary arts, highlighting a chef’s mastery of essential elements such as yeast, flour, water, and time. “If a kitchen excels in bread, it indicates attention to detail and respect for technique, which are transferable to more intricate baking, such as cakes,” Banerjee said.
For Banerjee, Hathaway’s statement underscores the importance of foundational skills in baking. Both bread and cake, she argued, require a deep understanding of ingredients, techniques, and precision. “Bread’s texture, rise, and flavor development require patience, knowledge of fermentation, and an understanding of how ingredients interact—skills that are equally critical when creating a successful cake.”
However, not all chefs agree with Hathaway’s assessment. Aditi Handa, co-founder and head chef of The Baker’s Dozen, offered a different perspective. Handa acknowledged that bread-making can be complex and time-consuming, especially in India, where she believes many establishments excel at cakes but fall short with their bread offerings. “Bread baking is such a complex procedure and requires so much patience. If you make it from a pre-mix, it never turns out good. And if you make it from scratch, it’s too much effort for most restaurants or bakeries to put in,” Handa explained.
She added that the skill level of the chef or baker plays a significant role. “If they started their journey from bread and fell in love with the process of making it, no matter what, their bread will be great.”
Hathaway, known for her love of sweets, also made headlines earlier for sharing a creative dessert hack. In a viral moment, she revealed her method for avoiding frosting smears: splitting a muffin in half and placing the bottom half on top of the frosting to create a sandwich, keeping the cream neatly contained.
While Hathaway’s “dessert rule” may remain a matter of personal preference, it’s clear that both bread and cake share a common foundation in baking techniques, and chefs are divided on whether one can truly be judged by the other. Whether you agree with Hathaway or not, one thing is certain: the art of baking is as complex and nuanced as ever.
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