Sis and I are contemplating to start a part-time business in baking. Actually, it’s me trying to convince her to turn her passion into a business. It’s also my way of supporting her talent as she has always been the naturally artistic one in the family. She’s good in all the artsy-fartsy stuff – acting, singing, emceeing, drawing, painting, plays the piano and violin and bakes for parties and church functions. And she’s NOT EVEN 16!! *me…shy*

The amazing thing is, she does not have any professional training, not even guidance from me or my mom. She just surprises us with her myriad of creative experiments in the kitchen. On the other hand, I had the privilege of growing up in the kitchen of grandpa’s seafood restaurant. I remember watching in awe as my grandpa’s faithful Hainanese chef cooked up a storm in a matter of minutes. To sidetrack a bit, just wanted to share the story about this chef who started off as a waiter and slowly moved up the ranks, and the amazing thing is, he was with the family since my mom was a baby!! Talk about loyalty – you won’t see this in the 21st century. I also had the privilege of learning some authentic cooking recipes from my grandmother since she lived with us. So, naturally, I am better in cooking than baking although my interest lies in baking. But baking on my part, is hard learnt, through practice year after year since the age of 14 when mom bought a National microwave oven and it came with a free recipe book.

I wonder if it’s an interest that runs in the family. While I have found my footing in event decoration, organisation and management, one of my dream is to someday run my own cozy little neighbourhood cafe Bro is in the hospitality industry and he’s a fussy foodie just like my dad, while sis is in a dilemma to major in culinary arts or food science. But she has lots of time to think about it since it will be another year before she sits for SPM. We do intend to collaborate in bigger plans, but that… is in the near future.

For now, we have more important decisions to make – such as creating cakes that are uniquely ours yet, acceptable by the general market. We’ll start off by offering a variety of types and flavours to friends and family to comment. We’re not trying to make big money from this business but an avenue to further expand our passion and share our delightful creations.