Bittersweet Symphony

By Jill Tham

Without question the most exciting part of a birthday party, wedding or celebration is the cake. Niti Ruparel, co-owner of Bittersweet Symphony in Niagara Falls, ON understands the magic behind serving delectable desserts for the most important moment of your special day. Ruparel started her culinary journey at the age of 17 in Mumbai, India. “I always wanted to do pastry. I love dessert,” says Ruparel. Her husband, Pawan Lulla, was already studying at Niagara College. “He persuaded me to come to Canada. I left everything I had there to study with my husband at Niagara College,” says Ruparel, who kept her focus on learning all that the culinary experience could provide. After graduating, she began working in a restaurant in Niagara. On the side, Ruparel kept busy hobby baking for friends and family. “I used to freelance pastry back home and I was doing a lot of baking on the side during Covid. Then I took more training under celebrity chefs,” says Ruparel. “Then, I finally opened my own store.”

Using only high-quality ingredients, Ruparel ensures that her pastries and cakes are baked to perfection. “I love hazelnut and I love to play with tropical flavours like mango, pineapple and passionfruit,” says Ruparel. When Ruparel isn’t baking with tropical fruits, she purchases fruit from Niagara Region farmers. “Strawberries are number one. We do purchase seasonal fruits like peaches, strawberries, and berries locally.”

Named after Ruparel’s favourite 1990s chart toping song by the Verve, Bittersweet Symphony has a wide variety of cakes guaranteed to hit home with any audience. “Our menu is completely customized, and it is always changing,” says Ruparel. “Our cakes are preordered, but we do have some ready to go for walk in.” Strawberry short cake is the most popular menu item. “It is our signature dish. We use real whipping cream and fresh strawberries. It melts in your mouth,” says Ruparel. “Everyone loves that cake.”

Although cakes are her niche, a wide variety of services are provided. “We specialize in wedding cakes, dessert tables, cupcakes, cake pops, cookies, and cheesecakes. We also offer gelato and ice cream in house,” says Ruparel, who is ecstatic about their upcoming ventures. “In May, we will be starting to make breads and breakfast pastries. We haven’t done it for four years, and it has been a long process. So, we are excited.” Bittersweet Symphony has plans to expand the business. “We have a lot of requests to open up a shop where we can teach,” says Ruparel. “Our next idea is to open a small studio kitchen where we can do workshops, holiday camps and children’s parties.”

From gender reveal and smash cakes to a burn cake that reveals a secret message, Bittersweet Symphony stays current and up to date with baking trends. “New trends excite me and there is something new in the pastry world every day,” says Ruparel who loves to rise to the challenge. “I love new flavours. It’s the ‘How do I get everything in one bite?’ that makes me experiment behind the scenes and keep going.”

Photos courtesy of Bittersweet Symphony.

Some of the most challenging aspects of creating desserts come naturally for Ruparel. From sugaring to chocolate tempering, there isn’t a situation she can’t mend. Although she admits she is still working on perfecting the mousse filling in an Earl Grey cake, baking is second nature to Ruparel. “I can wake up in the middle of the night and make a death by chocolate cake,” says Ruparel.

Ruparel advises aspiring bakers not to over complicate things or try to mix too many flavours and ingredients together.

“A simple chocolate cake is the way. Eggs, sugar, butter, and flour are always available in your home. You just need to purchase your chocolate or your fruit,” says Ruparel.

“I like Niagara Falls. I come from Mumbai in India which is such a busy life there. We love the peace and slower pace of life here,” says Ruparel who is extremely grateful for the support they have received over the years.” We opened during Covid and that is where we had most of our support,” says Ruparel. “Our customers are local; they are not tourists. But we would love to see tourists come in! Lots of people are baking now and we want to thank our customers for their continued support.”

Whether you need a custom cake for a special occasion or a quick fix for your sweet tooth, Bittersweet Symphony is a bakery like no other. Where high quality ingredients meet exceptional standards, Bittersweet Symphony will make sure the dessert you serve brings joy to your guests’ taste buds.

For more information visit bittersweetandsymphony.ca