Iconic Connaught Place Confectionery Wenger's Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary
The iconic confectionery and bakery Wenger's is celebrating its 100th anniversary at its landmark location in Connaught Place, New Delhi. Marking its centenary, the beloved establishment tucked into a corner of Block A continues to draw bustling crowds across generations, bridging decades of Delhi’s culinary history through food and nostalgia.
The confectionery was originally established in 1924 by a Swiss couple, Jeanne Seterchi Wenger and H C Wenger. It first opened as a catering venture at Kashmere Gate before moving to its current spot in Connaught Place in 1933.
Designed by British architect Sir Robert Tor Russel, the Connaught Place location originally featured a grand two-storey layout. This space included a café called Rendezvous, a ballroom named La Mer, and a party shop known as the Green Shop. In 1945, as Indian independence neared, the Swiss founders sold the bakery to Brij Mohan Tandon, who had served as the General Manager.
Over the decades, the establishment underwent significant changes. By 1979, the first-floor café closed down, and the space was partitioned and rented out to other businesses.
Among the familiar faces at the shop is 82-year-old Charanjeet Singh, a former manager who joined Wenger's in 1965 as an air-conditioning engineer at the age of 21. The previous owner, O P Tandon, recognized Singh's potential and hired him as a manager. Although Singh officially retired in 2004, he still helps with the daily operations, guiding customers and answering queries about popular items like their Shami Kababs.
Singh recalled that when he started in 1965, the bakery offered only four types of cake: Vanilla, Strawberry, Pineapple, and Chocolate. Today, the menu has expanded to include dozens of options such as Butterscotch Cake, New York Cheesecake, and Red Velvet, alongside seasonal specials.
Over its century of operation, the bakery has attracted numerous notable visitors, including actor Shah Rukh Khan, while maintaining its reputation as a beloved local staple.
