Sweet reunion: Fourth generation gathers in Thalassery to celebrate India's first cake

KANNUR: The fourth generation of Mampally Bapu and Murdoch Brown, the pioneers of India's first cake have come together to celebrate a century and a half of sweet memories. The reunion took place at the residence of M K Ranjith, owner of Kannur Brownies Bakery.

Paul Brown, the great-grandson of Murdoch Brown who works as a dentist was present at the gathering along with his wife Shel, daughter Eleanor, son Sam and cousin Amanda.

140 years ago in December 1883, Murdoch Brown then the manager of Ancharakandi cinnamon plantation introduced the first cake in India. His horse-drawn carriage stopped at Mampally Bapu's Royal Biscuit Shop in Thalassery. He presented Bapu with a plum cake he had brought from England and asked if he could replicate it. Bapu accepted the challenge and explained that it would take ten days.

Murdoch brought cocoa from Britain and icing ingredients from Mumbai. The cake featured flavours like nutmeg, spices from the local market and cinnamon from Murdoch's plantation. For an extra kick, French brandy from Mahe was used for flavour. Pushing the boundaries, Bapu even made arrack from kadalipazham and cashews. India's first cake was created and Murdoch was highly impressed.

During the reunion, Paul Brown shared a plum cake to commemorate the historic cake's creation. Ranjith served a selection of special dishes from Brownies Bakery including unnakkai and chicken cutlets along with coconut milkshakes.

Archith, Ranjith's son displayed a photo of Mampally Bapu and recreated the scene that led to the birth of the cake. The Brown family also paid a visit to the Ancharakandi sub-registrar office which was established by Murdoch Brown where his cinnamon was first registered.

Mampally Bapu's culinary legacy endures through his nephew Mampally Gopalan's descendants who have expanded the bakery chain from Thiruvananthapuram to Pondicherry.