When we opened submissions for the 4th edition of the Women Listed Celebrating Excellence Awards, one entry caught our attention—not for flashy numbers, but for its sincerity. Ananya Khera, a young pastry chef from Gurgaon, nominated herself with a story rooted in sisterhood, resilience, and a quiet but powerful vision. Though she wasn’t selected as a finalist, her story of building Ditya Bakehouse is one we knew had to be shared.
A Bakery Built with Love—and Grit
“DITYA was conceptualised by a team of two sisters,” Ananya shared. “The idea was to make French pastry accessible and approachable for the common man and to mould our pastries and cakes to be at par with the Indian market requirements.”
The name Ditya honors her sister Anandita, with whom she planned the business during Anandita’s battle with cancer. “During those long days at the hospital, we would sit and plan out our business,” she said. What started as comforting conversations became the foundation for what is now a beloved bakery brand in Gurgaon.
Ananya studied Culinary Arts at IHM Aurangabad and trained in Pâtisserie and Boulangerie at Le Cordon Bleu London. But instead of staying abroad, she returned home to build something meaningful. “After finishing my course at Le Cordon Bleu, I decided to come back to India and launch Ditya Bakehouse.”
Opening the business wasn’t easy. “With no staff initially, I had really long days of just standing in the kitchen, making everything from scratch on my own while handling vendors, inventory etc. It felt exhausting after a point but I kept going,” she said. Today, she manages a team of 8–10 people and continues to scale mindfully.
From French Techniques to Gurgaon Favorites
Ditya Bakehouse now runs two cozy stores in Sector 50 and Sector 63, Gurgaon, offering everything from specialty coffee and fresh bakes to custom cakes, event hampers, and corporate gifting. “We also work with event management companies and corporates to organise team engaging events,” Ananya noted.
With an average spend of ₹350–₹400 per customer, Ditya has carved a niche as a premium yet accessible bakery. Some items have become crowd favorites. “Our Korean Cream Cheese Buns are always flying off the shelves,” she shared.
What sets Ditya apart is not just the product, but Ananya’s approach. “I'm willing to walk that extra mile for my customer, deliver cakes on an off day, personally deliver small orders—all to completely captivate the consumer and make them believe we're highly approachable.”
She’s aware of both her strengths and limits. “I just don’t think giving up is an option for me. There always has to be a solution. But I’m highly driven by emotions and sometimes that overtakes practicality which is not too good for the business.”
Her efforts have led to invitations to share her story on platforms like TEDx, podcasts, and Radio Mewat. Yet, she remains focused on her mission. “My ultimate goal is to make Ditya a one stop solution for all corporate gifting needs and to ensure every person/organisation who orders from us, comes back for more.”
Beyond business, she’s involved in community work. “I work with Rajbala Foundation off and on, cancer support organisations and mental health support groups.”
She’s constantly learning from her customers. “Every day is a new learning experience and a customer who walks in teaches us something,” she says.
When asked what advice she has for aspiring women entrepreneurs, her answer is simple: “Just keep chasing your dreams and you’ll get there eventually.”
A Bakery That’s Still Becoming
Ananya Khera isn’t trying to build a viral brand or dominate the market overnight. She’s focused on doing meaningful work and honoring a dream that began between two sisters. “I believe in selling the story and it brings me immense joy to spread awareness about my shared dream and how I'm tirelessly working each day to make my sister even though she’s not tangible now.”
Ditya Bakehouse may still be growing, but the heart behind it is fully formed—and that’s what customers taste every time they step through its doors.
