Bake Me A Pie!

Mehrin Mubdi Chowdhury talks to baking expert Hamida Saleh of Just Baked to know what’s in store for Christmas eve

Photographs by Farhan Ahmed, Studio Lorenzo

Hamida Saleh
Hamida Saleh


What inspired you to become a professional baker
?
I went to a hospitality management school in Spain. We had to take pastry and baking courses as part of the curriculum. While doing the course I realised at once that I simply loved baking and as a result decided to continue with it in the future.

Any special plans for Christmas or New Year’s?
Winter is a festive season with so many things like Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s and many more occasions. I love baking chocolate cakes during this time of the season, especially with colourful frostings and decorations. According to my observations, people prefer to have more pies in winter so, I bake my signature apple pies and pecan pies for the customers.

What are your favourites?
I love baking cookies, red velvet cupcakes and chocolate crinkles.

Have you ever had any special baking requests?
No, not yet. But maybe in the future, who knows?

Tell us about a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.
One of my mom’s friends wanted to celebrate Diwali with my baked cupcakes. I had to bake and decorate four hundred and eighty rainbow cupcakes overnight for her. This event also gave me the courage to start off professionally with ‘Just Baked’ because I realised that very day my potential to bake and supply goodies in large quantities.

What‘s the best part about being a baker?
I would say it is the opportunity to try new things and be able to express yourself through this art form. There is so much you can do in terms of creativity. If I hadn’t tried out professional baking, maybe I wouldn’t have gotten into the habit of buying more baking appliances and trying them out. I love collecting baking tools.

Any special information for the clients this season from Just Baked?
Check out my Facebook page justbakedhs. There will be winter goody bags on display with assorted baked treats inside. Hope you enjoy having them as much as I enjoyed baking them.