It all started when David Wilson, an Englishman who owned a confectionery shop in Cossitola, now Bentinck Street, decided to enter the hotel business. In 1840, Dainty Davie, as he was popularly known, set up the Auckland Hotel or The Great Eastern Hotel.
Now revamped as The Lalit Great Eastern and located in the heart of Kolkata’s central business district, its once popular bakery will again be opened to the general public for two days — on Christmas Eve, December 24 and Christmas, December 25.
Over the years The Bakery at the heritage hotel has continued to grow in both popularity and stature, with generations frequenting it for their daily bread, cakes and confectionary items.
According to a release issued by The Lalit Group, the bakery will be selling the traditional plum cake, fruit cake, cookies and chocolates. The proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
The bakery will, however, be formally opened once the hotel is formally inaugurated for guests.