Food
Chef Bal Ajgaonkar
Chef Bal Ajgaonkar Darpan, 17 Jul, 2026
Chef Bal Ajgaonkar is an accomplished culinary professional whose cooking is inspired by the rich coastal flavors of Malvan, India. Trained in Hotel Management, Catering Technology, and Tourism, he built his expertise in some of India’s leading five-star hotels, mastering the foundations of classical cuisine.
Over the years, he refined his craft alongside internationally acclaimed and Michelin-starred chefs, developing a philosophy centered on precision, seasonality, and respect for ingredients. Now based in Canada, Chef Bal brings a contemporary approach to regional Indian cuisine. As Executive Chef at Desi Lounge in Vancouver, he blends traditional spice profiles with local ingredients, delivering innovative and elevated dining experiences.
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When I was younger my grandma would bring me a Fudgsicle when she would pick me up from school during the summer.
In the galette version, the pie crust is filled with a frangipane-like filling using the ingredients typically found in ghughra.
My version doesn’t have much sugar, so feel free to increase or decrease the amount of sugar to your liking.