Baking is often associated with comfort food. Conjuring up brownies, macaroons or cupcakes has become a bit of a trend of late, but namma ooru stands out once again, by associating the delicacies with philanthropy. City-based organisations, Knead It and SugarStuff have collaborated in setting up a baking sale, proceedings from which will go to charities. Organising a fun day of confectioneries and workshops, these women have taken upon themselves to spread love and give back to the society.
Gina Maya Iyer, owner of Knead It, who with her husband Ram Iyer started in Mumbai, and are bringing it to the city, mentions how the initiative is to spread the vision of charity via baking. “Starting with Bengaluru, we have always been keen on involving some sort of charitable quotient to our venture. Baking is such a soothing activity, so it was only right that we gave it back to the community; and this is the only way we knew how,” mentions the mother of two. “We decided to associate with two city-based charities — The Bake Collective and Prema Jyothi. The latter works for underprivileged children and women, and tends to old people on the streets.”
Gina and Ram
Owner of SugarStuff Reshma D’Souza who is one of the organisers has been a baker for the past 10 years. Being so actively involved, she feels the lack of exposure baking gets in our country. “We have food sales and wine exhibitions, but somewhere down the line, the sugary comforts of confectioneries are not as prominent,” she says. In spite of being so heavily indulgent in the layers of sponge and fondant, Reshma asserts that her day job is still being a full-time mummy, “Baking teaches you to find comforts in the tiny things in life!”
Comfort and philanthropy however aren’t the only perks of baking. City-based Rimi Nandi talks about the therapeutic benefits of baking too. “Baking helps lift my fits of anxiety. It can’t cure it but it helps,” says the clay model enthusiast who has battled these mental issues for a while now. “Measuring the amount of sugar, flour or butter I need for a recipe or cracking the exact number of eggs – I am in control. That’s really important as a key element of my condition is a feeling of no control,” she explains, listing the self-help she derives from the hobby. “Having struggled myself, it was only natural for me to contribute in a venture that is out to help others who are struggling in some way or the other as well.”
From buttermilk scones to chocolate pies and plum pudding cakes next to easy iced biscuits, they’ve got it all covered. Right after having a similar bake sale plus workshop event at Pune, it is time for them to give sheer joy and comfort to Bengaluru. As participant Anuja Merchant, who happens to be a home-baker, rightly states, “This is a wonderful platform to bring bakery into a mainstream limelight. It’s not something meant only for birthdays. You can be just as ‘whipped’ about it as you can be about any other profession!”
