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SAMANTHA PEREIRA

BAKING CAKE IS MY PASSION

By Rajesh Ghadge Images by Samantha Pereira

Holding the masters degree in Geology in Earth Science from Goa University as well as an MBA from Goa Institute of Management Samantha started baking cakes five years ago. Besides baking she also doubles as an actor in Konkani movie and modelling for the couture brands in Goa. She is working full time for a reputed mining company in Goa and after finishing all the tasks she invests time in baking under the brand name of Cake ~ a ~licious.

Please tell us about your background and how you entered into the field of culinary? Cake making I am Samantha Pereira- —the girl who fell in love with baking a few years ago. I am the founder and brainchild of Cake ~ a ~licious. Currently based at St-Inez, Panjim. I am a Geologist holding a Master ’ s degree in Earth Science from Goa University as well as an MBA from Goa Institute of Management. Currently associated full-time with one of the top mining firms in the industry. Along with being a part time-cake artist & bagging multiple awards, I have also dabbled in Konkani cinema bagging cameo roles in 2 movies along with modelling for couture brands. My journey towards baking started out as initially as a hobby when I started trying out different recipes, baking cookies and cupcakes. My first product that I vividly remember was chocolate-mint cookies, which i distributed amongst family, friends and neighbours. The feedback received was extremely encouraging and further pushed me to sell these amazing cookies. The next item that motivated me further was after baking my birthday cake - it was a rich chocolate cake loaded with strawberries and since then there was no looking back. Have you done any formal education into the field of Culinary? I am a self-taught cake-artist, however in order to hone and achieve the finesse required further, I have undergone a few certifications from some of the renowned names in the Caking world. What are the hurdles you faced while persuing your dreams and how you overcome them?

Every venture has its ups and downs, but each situation always has a lesson to be learnt. Market saturation due to increase in a number of home bakers along with cartelization of prices are amongst the few challenges. Also, Customers who haggle had initially been a challenge since i was still trying to make my place in a market that was oversaturated. However, with time, I’ ve learnt that my time and expertise is what makes me unique and hence led me to cater to the cream of the crowd only! What are the USPs of your cuisine and how you deal with the competition? Consistency in product quality delivery is my USP & forms the DNA of my business. My works of art are not only pretty, but extremely delicious since i believe in putting my secret ingredient "love " into all my creations, and it primarily for this reason that I am proud to say a 90% of my clientele are repeat customers y-o-y Tell us more about the types of cakes that you bake and your specialty I cater to a range of customized delectable cakes (2D as well as 3D), chocolate fudge brownies, mousse bowls, cake pops, as well as corporate orders/hampers as per the client' s budget. My signature work includes 3-D cakes which are a one-of-a-kind creation in Goa, bringing the design requirement to life in 3-D view and that too all in cake! I provide ample flexibility to the clients to mix and match ideas, reference images- in short a completely customizable cake from scratch. My forte does not just include customized cakes for weddings/birthdays/bachelorettes etc, but exquisite festival/special occasion hampers, are right up my ally. My products are not only consumed by clientele within the State of Goa but have also travelled far and wide across different states in India and internationally as well, which is a testimony to the consistent product quality that she maintains. If not a Chef, what else would been doing ? I would have been an Interior Decorator which again would allow me to express my creative side. Tell us about your top 5 favourite dishes Yellow Thai Curry with Jasmine Rice, Crumb Fried Beef Fillets, All types of Seafood, Ramen, Sorpotel E sanna Tell us 5 kitchen tools she cannot live without. Oven, Mixing Bowl, Spatula, Turntable, Bench Scraper Any message that you want to give ? If you believe in yourself, then nothing can stop you. There will be immense challenges all throughout the journey, there may be times when it gets too much and you want to give up, but the most important is to keep yourself motivated, take breaks to rejuvenate, hustle and work hard and the results will show. Keep learning and keep growing!