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[ Published Date: December 21, 2012 ]
By Alfie D'Souza, Team Mangalorean
Mangalore: It's once again that time of the year when Vas and Sons Bakery Bendoor gears up for the Christmas festivity, stocking up the shelves and display units with Christmas delicacies, cakes, home-made kuswar and what not...?, and owner Bryan Vas who's all excited and overwhelmed says, " The business has been quite brisk for the last few days. People are in the real mood for the feast. We have been stormed with huge orders for Xmas cakes and kuswar, and our bakers have been toiling hard and even working overtime to fulfill customers demand. I am hoping for a better Christmas sale this year. Also in the meantime I hope that the world doesn't end before Xmas as some predict ??"
Started in 1972, Vas and Sons Bakery located near St. Agnes College, Bendoor has been catering its loyal customers with wide variety of food items ranging from hot dogs to donuts, muffins, pastries, meat/veg puffs, desserts, bakery products, ice cream and much more. And with Christmas just around the corner, the bakery is fully stocked up with Christmas cakes in variety of shapes, designs and flavours, home-made Mangalorean style Kuswar, and other Xmas delicacies. During lunch time and evening hours, the bakery is packed with " food loving" customers, because they simply love this store for its ambiance, food quality and variety, and also reasonable prices.
Vas and Sons ( Vas Bakery ) one of the leading bakery houses in Mangalore has been a name synonymous with quality and the old world style and taste. Fresh breads, cakes, pastries, sweets, meat puffs/variety of puffs, Macaroons, Muffins, traditional homemade products etc... Vas bakery offers you many a sumptuous product to tingle your palate
Vas Bakery had its humble beginning way back in the year 1930, when Emmanuel Vas started a full-fledged bakery. And after his death, his only son among six daughters, Sebastian Vas continued the family business.The aroma from the arsenal of cakes, bread, pastries, savouries and sweets, Vas Bakery has won the hearts of young and old alike. The magic hands of Sebastian Vas who was also a disciplinarian who adhered to quality, hygienic norms and punctuality in delivering the goods played a sterling role in moulding the business.
The business has now grown in leaps and bounds. The common man as well as the rich became the loyal clients of Vas Bakery. Thus a legend came into being. Sebastian excelled in founding many a cakes, like special plum and rum cakes, special breads, rusks etc are some of them, which were later imbibed by other bakeries. And now, son Bryan has carried on his dad's legacy in reaching the business to greater heights, giving much priorities to quality and customers satisfaction.
Vas Bakery has created a line of specialty cakes, each offering a profusion of visual expressions and invigorating taste sensations. All their cakes are baked using only the finest ingredients. The freshest flavors and tastes are captured in every slice of cake, and they add new items to their menu continually. They also offer a large selection of gourmet cakes in stock every day for pickup, delivery or special orders, Valentines Day, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Birthdays, Baby Showers, Bridal Showers, Anniversaries, Congratulations, Job Well Done, Office Party, Corporate, Weddings, Grooms Cakes, or just because.
I asked Janet D'Souza, a loyal customer about her experience with Vas Bakery Bendoor, she replied, "The owner was very accommodating, friendly and patient with my ordering process despite my numerous questions and reiterations. While other cake shops asked for few days advanced notice, but Vas Bakery understood my dilemma and surpassed my expectations! The cake was decorated so beautifully I couldn't believe the results with such short time I gave them! "
" The best part about it is how the cake tasted. Their fondant taste far better than the play-doh you get from other cake shops. The cake itself was moist, and the Vanilla/Chocolate cream was a perfect complement. Overall, the cake was just the right amount of sweet. Being a diabetic, usually a slice or half a slice will do for me when the dessert is too sweet - but our party, including myself, kept coming back for more cake throughout the night! I am so happy with the entire turnout of Vas Bakery, the service, decorations, taste and quality. They found a loyal customer in me, and I wouldn't hesitate to refer my friends and family to them. For those who do not live close to them, it's definitely worth the drive - especially for those special occasion cakes ".
Vas and Sons Bakery Bendoor has a reputation for exceptional quality, and while celebrating the " sweet life" for nearly 40 year, it invites you to discover the remarkable taste of their bakery products. And you can special order cakes, pastries and delicacies of your liking. " We love our customers, and we look forward to you becoming one of them !" says Bryan Vas. So, stop by at this bakery and feel the difference - it'll be worth your visit ! VAS AND SONS-VAS BAKERY, "VAS MAHAL", NEAR ST. AGNES COLLEGE, BENDOOR, MANGALORE-575002 PHONE: 0824-2443846/ 2443682
HISTORY OF VAS BAKERY :
"If people didn't have bread, let them eat cakes" - that's right ! It is to the credit of Vas Bakery that it offers both bread and cakes among the vast range of bakery products from the low-end common bread to the high-end multi-flavoured cakes and cashew-based macaroons. Also it offers custom-made, intricately-decorated cakes for weddings and other celebrations.
Vas and Sons Bakery now operating at Bendoor, near St. Agnes College, backed up by attached manufacturing facilities, including traditional and modern ovens is owned by Bryan, one of the four sons of Sebastian. Emmanuel Vas aka " Monam", the grandfather of Bryan had started his own petty bakery in a rented room on Balmatta Road in 1905. With grit and hard work," Monam " developed the business and in 1930 he constructed a modern bakery which by the time of his death on June 10, 1941, had established a reputation as a leading quality baker in the district. Surviving for a century, it is now considered the oldest bakery in Mangalore.
Born of humble parents and with no education, " Monam's" lifetime motto was "A satisfied customer is the best advertisement". Through dint of honesty, skill and perseverance he earned the confidence of a large circle of customers. In 1930 he constructed a modern bakery which established a reputation as the leading bakeries in the district. He always insisted on supervising the work in the bakery personally and is said to have never failed to attend work a single day during the 36 years of his business career. Monam died leaving behind his widow, an only son, Sebastian, and six daughters.
Old-timers recall that Monam was a strong, energetic, well disciplined, daring yet a pleasant person, sporting a bushy moustache. People used to come to the original bakery at Balmatta to eat and take away his tasty products like bread, biscuits, cakes and buns. He was honest in his business dealings which attracted people from far distances to purchase his eats. He made bulk supplies of bread to institutions like Wenlock Hospital, Lady Goschen Hospital, Kankanady Hospital, Basel Mission and German and Swiss residents of Balmatta Hill, also called the Mission Compound.
Monam's only son among seven daughters, Sebastian, popularly called "Bostab ", got involved in the bakery business in his early 20s and continued till his death on April 29, 1983. Sebastian had married Rose in 1945, daughter of a leading tile manufacturer, Henry J Lobo (Cascia / Bejai ). Bostab was an aggressive builder and business consolidator. To cope with the increasing demand for his products, he set up a modern, fully-automatic, mechanized factory with imported production lines at Maroli-Kulshekar on a 2.5-acre campus.
The factory was inaugurated on a grand scale by the then Bishop of Mangalore, Basil D'Souza, on October 22, 1967. It was the most advanced bakery production line in Mangalore for making and packing products under hygienic conditions. Bostab built a number of bungalows and commercial buildings. The bakery has a large institutional roaster of bulk customers. Due to lack of persons from the family to manage the show, the Maroli factory ceased to function and was disposed off in 1974. Some retail outlets were closed in favour of concentrating on just two establishments; the original Vas Bakery at Balmatta and a second one at Bendore, with two third generation brothers carrying forward the century-old heritage of offering quality bakery products to Mangaloreans.
Cakes and Kuswar Galore at Vas and Sons Bakery-Bendore
By Violet Pereira, Mangaluru. Team Mangalorean - December 23, 2016
More on www.mangalorean.com/cakes-and-kuswar-galore-at-vas-and-sons-bakery-bendore
On the Christmas food trail across Indian homes
By Ancy K Sunny | December 23, 2017 - www.theweek.in
From appam-stew to pork sorpotel, Christmas is not just about plum cake
If it is Nahoum for Kolkata, it is the cake from 75-year-old Vas and Sons Bakery that Mangalore craves every Christmas. Uzwal Menezes, a Mangalore-based lecturer, has been a Vas cake loyalist since childhood. “I love the traditional plum cake from the bakery,” he says. There is, however, more to Indian Christmas cuisine than just cakes. For Menezes, Christmas is also about the quintessential Mangalorean delicacies like guliyo (deep fried rice marbles), kidiyo (sweet curls), nevryo (sweet puffs), rice laddoos and kokkisan (rose cookies, similar to the achappam in Kerala). Most of these are traditionally made in homes during the Christmas season. Some, like Menezes, still hold on to the traditions.
Bakeries bring out tempting treats for Christmas
By Pearl Marita Sebastina D’Souza, DHNS, Mangaluru, DEC 24 2018, 23:41 ISTUPDATED: DEC 24 2018, 23:56 IST - Deccan Herald
Heralding Christmas with plum cakes, cupcakes, multi-layered cakes, an array of muffins, bakeries across the city are ready to serve a slice of cake to all.
Cakes are a treat for connoisseurs. Bakeries and sweet shops offer delicious cakes and baked Christmas cookies to those who step inside. Many well-known bakeries did brisk business in the city on Monday.
Many families prefer to buy the ‘kuswar’ (traditional sweets made during Christmas season which include nevryo, kideo, gulio, kokkisan, rice laddu, tukdi and of course cakes), from bakeries. Many bakeries are offering ‘gift packs’ which contain all ‘kuswar’.
“Our Christmas specialities include a variety of cakes such as carrot cake, date and walnut cake and rich plum cake,” said Lester Vas, owner of Vas Bakery in Mangaluru. Vas and Sons Bakery is known for adding more goodies to their list of baked items, each year. This year, ‘Kuswar’ includes over 22 different traditional sweets. Along with the Kuswar, the bakery offered coloured loaves of bread—with Christmas colours—red, golden and green.
Rich plum cake that the bakery prepares is made with the essence of pure rum. The fruit used to make the dough is soaked in rum for about a month. The plums, raisins and dry nuts are pre-soaked in rum for about two months.
Apart from Christmas delicacies and goodies, the bakeries in the city were offering chocolate, pineapple, butterscotch, strawberry pastries and others.
Christmas a time for merriment, cakes and wines
Christmas a time for merriment, cakes and wines
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangalore, December 20, 2015: It’s Christmas time again! Mangalore is gearing up for the festivities of the season. India is home to over 26 million Christians and one can witness carol processions on streets in the big cities. The regional influences can be seen in south India, where small clay lamps are used as Christmas decorations, dotting the compound walls and terraces, much like in the Hindu festival of Deepavali. Star shaped paper lanterns are another favourite and prized decoration in front of homes.
The season and the festival, like most festivals, are also big on food. . Cake and wine are integral to the celebrations. Turning water into wine was the first miracle performed by Jesus — the reason why wine is crucial in any joyous occasion in the Christian tradition. In Mangalore, preparation of wine and plum cakes — a Manglorean speciality — starts in full swing as the month of December approaches. The lush reddish-maroon puffy cakes are a delicacy and just melt in your mouth as you bite into them.
The bakeries in Mangalore have to meet a huge demand for these cakes during Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Says Bryan Vas, proprietor of the renowned Vas bakery: "The demand for plum cakes escalates during Christmas and New Year. We have to have enough supply to meet the needs of our customers as and when they want." Since its inception in 1910, Vas Bakery has been famous for puffs, cashew macrons and cakes. Chocolate walnut cake, rum and raisin cake, date-walnut cake, butter cream cake as well as cakes with different designs (Santa Claus, Christmas tree, stars, walking stick and socks of Santa Claus) are its cake specialties while red (grape) wine, rice wine and wheat wine constitute its Christmas wine specialties.
Mangalore is a multi-cultural city. As such, the different communities celebrate Christmas with their distinctive cuisine and customs. Exchange of kuswar, a combination of seven snacks — cake, rice laddoos, tukdios, nivrios, gulios, kidios and cookies, on the morning of December 24 with friends and neighbours of all faiths, marks the foremost local tradition of Mangalore.
On the day of Christmas, buffet dinners and private parties are hosted at the hotel. People flock to the hotel to taste the exotic cuisine of all varieties and the wide assortment of puddings, plum cakes, chocolates and the log-shaped cake.
These are India’s most iconic bakeries... How many have you been to?
These are India’s most iconic bakeries... How many have you been to?
Raj Aditya Chaudhuri PUBLISHED: MAY 17, 2020 | 00:10:34 IST - Condé Nast Traveller India 2020
Vas & Sons, Mangalore
Set up in 1905, the Vas family has ever since been meeting Mangalore’s almost insatiable appetite for their carrot cakes, rusks, breads and savoury snacks. The cakes are especially popular be they of the plum variety or the elaborately frosted birthday kind. (Vas Mahal, Bendore Circle, Mangalore)
We're Helping Mangaloreans and Our Communities...
We're Helping Mangaloreans and Our Communities...
Xavier Trust holds endowment Lecture on ’Entrepreneurship’
Xavier Trust holds endowment Lecture on ’Entrepreneurship’
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, may 19, 2016: Xavier Educational Trust (Regd) has set up a “Late Rose and Sebastian Vas Memorial Charitable Fund” hosted a Memorial Service in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Vas and also an Endowment Lecture on Entrepreneurship by Gerald Colaco, Partner - Financial and Investment Consultant firm ‘Colaco and Aranha’ on May 15. The memorial for Late Mr. and Mrs. Vas was Celebrated at St Aloysius Chapel by Rev Vincent Crasta - Registrar of Papal Seminary, Pune and Rev Swebert D’Silva - Principal of St Aloysius College, Mangaluru. Later, a formal function and the endowment lecture was held at the St Aloysius College Hall.
The chairman of Xavier Educational Trust (XET), well-known Advocate and Christian Marriage Registrar, JJV Fernandes welcomed the gathering. The dignitaries on the occasion were Michael B.Fernandes – Chairman of Lawrence Fernandes Foundation and Trustee of XET, Chief Guest – Gerard Colaco, JJV Fernandes - Chairman of XET and Mr F.M. Lobo-Secretary XET.
Marina D’Souza, close relative of the Vas family said, “It is pride and honour for the Vas family because one of the Projects has been dedicated to the memory of Late Rose and Sebastian Vas. Rose Vas (Of Mona Vas Bakery fame) took an active part in the family business with an entrepreneurial spirit after her husband’s demise and cared for the welfare of her family at the same time. Late Rose Vas, was socially a concerned person, very compassionate and caring, charitable and kind, generous especially to the poor and needy, less fortunate and the downtrodden members of society.
Twelve meritorious students of XITC were presented with scholarships from the Lawrence Fernandes Foundation. Lawrence Fernandes foundation set up by the brothers of Lawrence Fernandes. The objective of this scholarship program is to identify deserving students with meritorious academic history and holistic achievements in skills at XITC, Xavier Industrial Training Centre. Micheal B. Fernandes (Brother of Former Defence Minister, George
Fernandes) and Chairman of Lawrence Fernandes foundation presented the scholarships to the deserving and meritorious students.
The Endowment lecture on - ‘Entrepreneurship’ was delivered by Gerard Colaco. Highlighting the significance of entrepreneurship, Mr. Colaco stated that the youth should start entrepreneurial ventures and should become job providers than job seekers. He acknowledged with gratitude the great contribution of Late Rose and Sebastian Vas who were indeed true entrepreneurs. One of the essential inputs in any economic advancement of a country isentrepreneurship. The more entrepreneurship activity the more will be the economic development. Entrepreneurship puts new business ideas into practice. In doing so, it creates jobs that facilitate personal development. With their innovative and disruptive ideas, entrepreneurs can tackle economic problems. It’s a worthy pursuit to consider.
The lecture was appreciated by the knowledgeable gathering. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr Meera Aranha (General Manager of Karnataka Bank), and the function was professionally compered by Dr Prakash Pinto (Dean – MBA - St. Joseph’s Engineering College), both trustees of XET.
XITC, Assaigoli, inaugurates Mid-Day Meal Programme
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, Jan 12, 2017: A report received here informs that XITC, Xavier Industrial Training Centre, a Unit of XET, Xavier Educational Trust Mangalur has inaugurated Mid-Day Meal for the students of XITC. The Mid-Day Meal Programme started under the auspices of “(Late) Rose & Sebastian Vas Memorial Endowment Fund “ which was set up on May 15, 2016.
The Chairman of XET , well-known Advocate and Christian Marriage Registrar, JJV Fernandes welcomed the gathering and gave a brief History of XET. Rev. Dr. Stanislaus D’souza, Provincial, Karnataka Jesuits was the Chief Guest and presided. Bryan Vas, Proprietor of Vas & Sons was the Guest of Honour.
Rev. Dr. Stanislaus D’Souza highlighted the selfless work rendered by the founders of XET and the Board of Trustees by providing Technical education to the poor and the marginalized away from the city. He motivated the students to get equipped to be worthy citizens of the country. He further advised that the education they receive in this Institution should benefit them to render fruitful service to the Society and Country.
Twelve meritorious students of XITC were presented with scholarships from (late) Lawrence V. Fernandes Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship was presented by Dr. Michael Lobo, renowned Geneologist of Mangalore, on behalf of Michael B. Fernandes, Chairman of Lawrence Fernandes Foundation, Bangaluru. Bryan Vas (S/o. (Late) Rose and Sebastian Vas), acknowledged and appreciated the efforts of XET in fulfilling the good will of his parents in the context.
Secretary of XET, F M Lobo thanked those present and everybody involved in making matters a success.
XITC, Assaigoli, conducts awareness programme on entrepreneurship
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, Apr 21, 2017: An offcial release received here states that a seminar on ’Entrepreneurship Awareness’ was held under the joint leader-ship of Dept. of Industries and Commerce, Bangalore, DIC, Mangalore Centre for Entrepreneurship Development of Karnataka (CEDOK), Dharwad, and Xavier Industrial Training Centre, Assaigoli, Mangalore for the students recently.
Aravinda Baleri, Joint Director, CEDOK, emphasized the importance of self-employment. Sathish Maben, Training Officer, CEDOK, conducted Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme with interaction sessions. Ronald Mendonca, Consultant and Career Coach at Smart Solutions, Mangalore, enlightened the students on Entrepreneurship. Brian Vas, Proprietor of M/s. Vas & Sons inaugurated the new Xerox machine donated in the name of (Late) Mrs. Rose Vas to the Institute.
Chairman of XET, JJV Fernandes welcomed the gathering. Secretary of XET, F M Lobo delivered the Vote of Thanks. Treasurer of XET, Michael T Mascarenhas, Trustee - Ronald Fernandes, Principal of XITC, Sudhir Raj B. Kotian, Paul D’souza, Caroline Vas, Mira Nayak, Pearl D’souza were present. Shivanand, J.T.O. compeered the Programme.
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