Satisfy your sweet tooth cravings with a healthy twist

With each passing year, Lekhika, an Apeejay College of Fine Arts  (ACFA) alumna, found that her talent and passion for baking sweet treats grew gradually. It was in 2017 when she baked a cake for the first time for her uncle’s birthday. And that moment etched on her heart and mind so deep that today baking has become her profession. To pursue her passion for baking, the university position holder did a baking course from National Finishing & Cookery Institute (NFCI) in Jalandhar alongside pursuing her Master’s in English from ACFA. The home-based bakery owner has also earned a certification of icing artist from White Lotus School of Cake Decoration Arts, Pune. In this interview, Lekhika talks about her baking journey: 

What inspired you to start Cake “o” Clock out of your home?

My father is my biggest inspiration. It was only because of his decision and encouragement that I could take this step of launching my home-based bakery business. 

When was the first time you remember baking something?

I baked the first cake on 7 January 2017.  It was a fondant cake I baked for my uncle’s birthday.

Did you ever get formal training in baking?

Yes. I  got my baking degree from NFCI Jalandhar,  where I got trained under renowned pastry chefs and got appreciated for my work from the senior pastry chef of Radisson Hotel. I learned new innovative techniques that I use today in my baking. 

What is the hardest part about owning your own bakery right out of your home?

Well, people sometimes bargain a lot. And that makes it difficult. For me, quality matters no quantity and hence,  I appreciate quality orders.

How do you ensure to bake healthy cakes/pastries? 

Wheat jaggery is our signature cake and is loved by all. Gym goers love this cake as jaggery or gud helps in aiding weight loss and is a rich source of zinc, iron, fibre and other minerals.  Sweet lovers often told me that wheat jaggery cake just helps them to quench their sweet cravings in a healthy way. The cake is also popular among diabetic patients. We do not add any chemicals or emulsifiers in our cakes.

Children are fond of fondant cakes, given these are colourful. How do you bake such cakes ensuring the healthy aspect in mind?

Fondant cakes are very attractive but unhealthy at the same time. So, to replace fondant I use paper tags made by Art O’Clock. We mostly avoid using gelatin in our cakes.

You work all by yourself for the most part, what happens if you get overbooked and have too many orders going at one time, especially during festive seasons?

My family is my team . Me, my mom and my two younger sisters work as a team. My girls work day and night. Cake “o” clock is nothing without my girls and my queen mom.

Important baking skills 

Quality and Discipline

Tips for those aspiring to start a bakery venture

Get proper knowledge because baking is science and art at the same time.