Mumbai: The BJP has demanded that the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) urgently visit iconic Irani cafés and bakeries in Mumbai and grant them heritage status. Former BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar has asked the heritage panel to grant a hearing to bakery owners to save the city’s food culture and history. Narwekar asked MHCC to take suo motu cognisance in saving decades-old bakeries.
Narwekar demanded that MHCC take suo motu cognisance for saving decades-old bakeries as they face the threat of shutting down due to recent notices by BMC. “I am writing to you to grant a hearing to the owners of these cafés and bakeries and consider granting them heritage status based on their history or old structure,” Narwekar said in his letter.
Narwekar said that a few iconic Irani cafés in South Mumbai have long been a cornerstone of our city’s food culture and history. “These cafés have been in existence for over a century, and the wood-fired ovens they use are an integral part of their legacy. The distinct taste and aroma of the baked goods that these cafés are known for are the direct result of the wood and charcoal-based ovens. The non-wood or coal ovens will change the taste of the cuisine, which the patrons cherished for generations,” Narwekar said.
“Their origins trace back to the 19th century, when Zoroastrian Irani immigrants introduced their culinary traditions to Mumbai. Over time, these cafés became symbols of the city’s cosmopolitan identity, offering a space where people from all walks of life could come together and enjoy a warm cup of chai, freshly baked bread, and a variety of delicacies. These cafés are not just places to eat; they represent the shared history and spirit of Mumbai, contributing to the city’s unique charm and character,” Narwekar said.
Narwekar said representatives of bakeries and cafés are ready to meet and share relevant documents for MHCC’s consideration. Recently, BMC issued notices to eateries prohibiting the use of wood and charcoal in ovens in commercial eateries. One of the sectors that stands to be most affected by this decision is the iconic Irani cafés in South Mumbai.