Chapter [X+3]: The First Batch for the Hotel
Bani started her morning early, carefully selecting the cookie varieties that would suit tea and coffee lovers at their vegetarian hotel. Since customers often preferred simple, familiar snacks, she decided to go with:
Rusk – Twice-baked, crunchy, and perfect for dipping in tea.
Coconut Cookies – Light, crispy, and slightly sweet with a delicate coconut flavor.
Almond Biscuits – Rich, nutty, and slightly buttery, a classic choice.
Butter Cookies – Soft, melt-in-the-mouth biscuits that pair well with both tea and coffee.
She got to work, first preparing the Rusk. She baked a simple bread loaf, then sliced it into thick pieces before putting them back in the oven for a slow second bake. The smell of toasted bread filled the kitchen as the rusks turned golden and crisp.
Next, she moved on to the Coconut Cookies, mixing fresh desiccated coconut with butter and sugar before shaping the dough into small rounds. As they baked, they filled the air with a light, sweet aroma.
For the Almond Biscuits, she finely ground almonds into a floury texture, blending them with butter and sugar. These cookies had a slightly rough texture but a rich, nutty flavor.
Lastly, she made the Butter Cookies, ensuring the dough was smooth and well-kneaded before cutting them into simple round shapes.
By the time she finished, Aman was ready to leave for the hotel. He entered the kitchen just as she was sealing the final batch into small jars and boxes.
"All set?" he asked, picking up a piece of rusk and taking a bite.
Bani nodded, stacking the boxes neatly. "These should go well with tea and coffee. We'll see which ones sell better before adding more."
Aman grabbed the packed jars and placed them in a bag. "I'll set them up near the counter. If they start selling well, we can add more flavors later."
Their father, who had just finished his morning routine, glanced at the boxes. "Keep the pricing reasonable. Customers won't buy if they think it's too expensive."
Bani had already thought about it. "We'll price them fairly, similar to other bakeries, but with better quality."
With everything packed, Aman and their father headed to the hotel, carrying the first batch of cookies. Now, it was up to the customers to decide if the experiment would work.
By the time Aman and their father reached the hotel, the morning rush had already begun. The aroma of freshly brewed tea and strong filter coffee filled the air as customers took their usual seats, reading newspapers or chatting in small groups.
The kitchen staff was busy preparing breakfast—steaming hot idlis, crispy dosas, soft puris, and freshly made chutneys. Orders came in steadily, and the clang of steel utensils echoed through the hotel.
Aman quickly set up the cookie jars near the counter, arranging them neatly with small labels.
Rusk – ₹15 per pack
Coconut Cookies – ₹20 per pack
Almond Biscuits – ₹25 per pack
Butter Cookies – ₹20 per pack
As customers lined up to pay for their breakfast or take their tea, the jars naturally caught their attention. A few regulars glanced at them curiously.
One elderly man, a daily visitor, pointed at the Rusk jar while paying for his coffee. "Are these fresh?"
Aman nodded. "Yes, homemade. Perfect for dipping in your tea or coffee."
The man took a pack, placed it on his tray, and walked to his table. A few minutes later, he dipped a rusk into his coffee, took a bite, and nodded in approval.
Soon, another customer, a businessman who often ordered filter coffee before heading to work, noticed the Butter Cookies. "This is new?" he asked.
"Yes, we just started selling them," Aman replied. "Would you like to try a pack?"
The man picked up a small pack and added it to his bill.
Slowly, more people started noticing the cookies. Some picked up Coconut Cookies out of curiosity, while others, especially the older customers, bought Rusk along with their tea.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, their father was managing breakfast orders. Plates of hot poha, upma, and vada sambar were served continuously. The hotel was running at full speed, but he took a quick moment to check the counter. Seeing a few cookie packs already sold, he gave a small nod of approval before returning to work.
By mid-morning, about a dozen packs had already been sold. Aman made a mental note of which ones were selling faster. The Rusk and Butter Cookies seemed to be the most popular, followed by the Almond Biscuits.
As the morning rush slowed down, Aman sent a quick message to Bani:
"Cookies are selling. Rusk and Butter Cookies are moving fast. Will update by noon."
Bani read the message while finishing her online bakery orders. The experiment was working. Now, they just had to see how the rest of the day went.