Baking and taking exams: A cake walk 

Class 11 student at Apeejay International School, Greater Noida, Aarushi Khanna is multi-talented. From baking mouth watering cakes and muffins to securing 94.2% in class 10 CBSE Board Exams, she has a finesse in both. When asked how she balances her studies and passion for baking, she explains, “I don’t mix both. I practice baking in my spare time and do not bake when studying.” In an interview, the budding baker shares her aspirations to launch a bakery business in the future and more. Edited excerpts:

So, Aarushi tell us what all do you love to bake?

I like to bake everything – from tarts to cakes to cookies and even muffins. 

We are curious. How did this baking journey start?

So, I started baking during the first lockdown in 2020. I watched a lot of baking videos on YouTube. Gradually my interest grew. Actually, before that whenever I visited my aunt, Mrs. Nidhi Bhatia (she likes baking a lot), I felt very inspired. The first thing I baked during the lockdown at home was a chocolate cake for my father on his birthday. He liked it a lot. And since then it has been a wonderful journey. 

You secured 94.2% in your class 10 Board exams. How did you manage to bake and also take exams? 

It’s simple! When I study, I study, and when I get exhausted, I free my mind by baking. I don’t bake daily. I bake when I find free time from studies. During my exams, I didn’t get much time to bake, but otherwise,I usually bake 3-4 times a week.

Is it a hobby or an entrepreneurial venture?

As of now, it’s just a hobby. I bake for my relatives and friends out of love. But I do plan to have my baking business in the future. I aspire to become a professional chef or baker one day. For my undergraduate education, I want to pursue a culinary arts course. I have also started looking at some prospective universities in Bangalore and Mumbai. 

Who is your favourite chef?

Shivesh Bhatia is my favourite. He is a food blogger and food stylist from Delhi.  He also has a YouTube Channel, Bake with Shivesh, which I follow. 

How does the school encourage you to manage studies and baking?

I baked a cake for Principal ma’am after my class 10th result as a token of gratitude to thank her for all her support. It was then that she got to know of my talent.