Baking off

The aroma of freshly baked breads, scones, muffins and cakes that wafts through the air is incomparable, triggering childhood associations of comfort and joy. Baking is a passion that is often sparked when young. Sitting on the counter-top, licking the remnants off the bowl of cake batter is a memory that most of us have. And the best part about baking is the finished product that is picture perfect. This city has a number of home bakers who are conjuring up magic in their ovens. Using technology, these home bakers are mastering the techniques of creating eminently edible art at home. These home bakers talk to us and share their stories about their love for baking.

Twenty-one-year-old Siona Benta admits that baking works like therapy for her. She says, “In a bid to try something new, I turned to baking. Once I started, there was no stopping me! It took me on a journey of discovering something new.” Though she has a natural flair for it, Siona only bakes when she has the time and the inclination. “I can’t do the professional kind of baking. I just add every ingredient and start. I feel, that there can’t be enough of chocolate or icing.” She confides, “I buy fresh butter at Russel Market at 5 or 6 am in the morning. This makes a huge difference. The flavour is entirely different when compared to store-bought ones. My cupboards are always stocked with all kind of baking supplies. I sometime bake a batch of gooey and decadent brownies that I keep them all to myself. The fragrance that rises from the carrot cakes, lemon tarts and banana cakes that I make is worth all the effort.”

Meanwhile, Jerusha Samuel, also 21, says she started baking young, as she assisted her mother who did a lot of it during Christmas and birthdays. She says, “As a child, I used to help her and when I grew up, I researched and learnt in detail the various processes. With baking, I think practice is the key.” No wonder then, that, for the past few months, Jerusha has made baking an everyday affair. “I do a lot of cakes, layer cakes, cupcakes, snack cakes and even cheesecakes. I think the best part about baking is the icing. Mixing the various hues into creamy icing and using intricately designed nozzles to draw patterns is the best part!”

Raina Joseph, all of 23, says, “Baking has the ability to leave you very satisfied with the finished product. I was completely mesmerised by my mum and the way she baked. But I would say my biggest inspiration was my Nana, who was a home baker like me. I somehow perfected how to bake cakes, cupcakes like red velvet and chocolate and cookies like chocolate crinkle and red velvet crinkle. I earn from them now so I bake on a regular basis.” She offers, “There’s a famous saying that goes like so – if you’re doing something that you love then you don’t need a break from that because that’s like your break from everything mundane out there. So, baking is my escape.”

Twenty-four-year-old Neha Kataria was left slack-jawed when she visited a patisserie. It’s where her love for baking started. She shares, “I started baking to eat a healthier version of what was sold in stores. I would sit for hours next to my neighbour, who had done a professional course and watch her bake. Unlike other home bakers, I bake things that can be eaten everyday such as multigrain breads, wheat and maida breads, sweet versions, pavs, pizza bases, etc.”