Hi,
Till my marriage got fixed in 2007, I never was so interested in cooking. Yes I used to help Amma in kitchen by washing utensils, stir the curry and chopping, but learning cooking was out of my world. I always thought that I will start learning cooking the way my new family wanted. Its all my luck that Sibo knew cooking as he was living far away from parents from a long time and he managed to cook everything by himself.
When I got married, the first thing I did was I gave Amma a notebook to fill in her basic curry recipes which I thought would save me to some extend in the kitchen. She covered the basic recipes like Fish curry, Fish fry, Sambhar, Appam etc etc..We moved to Pune and started our new life.. Cooking was not that easy for me as Idly became a stuff to throw crows out...Chapatti showed me the world map... Its all my luck that Sibo had all patience to teach me from scratch and he ate whatever i made with no complaints. Slowly I gained my confidence and started experimenting. No internet came to my help back then by the way. Few months after the marriage was our first Onam. Sibo used to invite his team every year for Onam feast. But every year he ordered from outside. I wasn't that confident to cook for 20-25 people...that too Onam feast.. We ordered from outside, but I managed to make two dishes extra as to gain confidence. It really was good.Days passed and I got placed myself in an MNC in Sales & Marketing Department soon immediately after Onam. An year went by and it was my turn again to treat his team mates with Onam feast. But this time my Father, brothers and uncles' came to visit me on the same day of Onam. The feast was for a big gathering. 30 plus people.. A small flat...very small utensils.. I still wonder how we managed to make everything including two payasams.. God's grace is all i can say..I would like to say thank you to my dear friend Pooja Ramtek who taught me make Roti. She makes awesome chapati, roti, phulkas...
Year 2011, we shifted to Bangalore by then . My little boy was 1.5yrs old then and I already had decided to take a break from my career to enjoy my motherhood with my little cherub. Life began to change. I started looking for new finger foods for him and came across many food blogs too.My brother in law went abroad those days and he was cooking food all by himself with the available supply of Indian masalas available there. He frequently had cooking doubts and was calling my mother in law for help. The idea of blogging evolved from this. I was sending recipes to him, so thought to make a collection of it for others who seek help and then rakhstastykitchen evolved.We moved to Kerala after some time and Noel started to go to Montessori.
My mom is an excellent home cook. Whatever she makes, its finger licking.. Her snacks, cakes, daily dishes, everything was exceptional. Our home always had guests and from my childhood I have seen my mother giving her 100% on to whatever she does..As a mother who wanted her kid to have healthy food, i too explored for healthy snacks...I started doing all types of snacks, cupcakes, cakes. Slowly started getting inquiries for my cupcakes from his friends also. Initially was giving everything for free, but when people denied taking for free, i had to accept some amount from them. I created an Facebook page, started getting followers.
As years passed by the passion for cooking and baking made me open a brand "Cupid Bakes". The name was a quick decision. I took part in Bake sale, started getting more orders, learned to bake different bread products, pizza, chocolates.. all were in my basket. I always looked for change, change in styling, change in designing, so decided to re-brand and come-up with something new.. And that is how BAKESBAE evolved.
Behind me is a whole team of lovely people who looked up-to me in bringing the best in me. The roles I play in building this brand up is the biggest responsibility that I own. From Planning, purchasing, storing, designing, baking, dish washing, photography, packing, delivering, telecalling, Page managing, Blog managing, everything is done by these two sole hands...I really enjoy every moment when I am into this. Whether its taking part in an exhibition, or delivering my goodies, or setting up a dessert table.
I have always learnt that no matter what happens, no matter what criticisms you face, count it as a lesson that you learned in your life and keep moving, keep glowing, keep growing... Give your 100% in whatever you are into.. Enjoy and love what you are do..Rest everything will follow...
I am thankful to my Papa, Amma, Brother, Husband, Sister-in-law, my kids, my lovely friends, relatives who had been there with me throughout my journey till date. My biggest critics are my family. Each and every detailing is corrected and followed and the dish is passed after their approval. All I have in hand for them is THANK YOU...
With Love
Rakhee Iype( Sibo)
