Online venture Homembakers (homebakers.co.in) hosted The Great Bengaluru Bake Show on Saturday at the Fern Citadel Hotel in Anand Rao Circle.
The day-long event saw a cake competition, expert sessions, panel discussions and a supplier exhibition.
Arati Mirji from Sugar Flowers, Joonie Tan from Lavonne Academy of Baking Science and Pastry Arts, Samie JR and Hima Bindu, the Top 10 Cake Artists, Parrejat Boraah from Ecstasy Homemade Kreation, Divya Haldipur from Itsy Bitsy Bytes, and Avijit Ghosh, pastry chef at The Leela, were the guest of honour.
The world of homebaking has seen massive growth in the last couple of years. You can now easily find at least two successful home bakers in every block.
When ‘How to make home baking a business’ was discussed, Metrolife was all ears.
Here’s what the experts had to say:
CCC by Jeyadra.
Be inspired
Fortunately, baking is a skill you can learn even if you are not a certified baker. Anyone can start a business as long as you have the attitude. If you are ready to learn, the sky’s the limit. It’s a career crafted by you, for you.
Training helps
The jury is still debating this. However, a bit of professional training can add to your confidence and act as a stepping stone. It
can teach you the basics that you refine and expand on. You can then refer to YouTube, books or expert bakers to enhance your skills. It’s important to continue learning and upgrade your skills over the years.
From home to shop
After a few years, most home bakers want to start their own bakery. While this is a great thought, it’s important to know that once you turn commercial, you are in a whole new world. If you don’t have enough managerial skills, you may end up compromising on quality.
Take your time
Experts recommend you wait before you decide this is really what you want to do. Try baking at home for a couple of years, question your motives, and if you are still passionate at the end of it all, take it up as a full-time career option.
Don’t experiment on clients
Don’t jump into a recipe you aren’t sure about. Customers often come to you asking you for a certain type of cake. If you haven’t tried it before, don’t take the risk. Offer them a flavour you are confident
about. In the meantime, try out the new recipe at home and perfect it. Don’t make your clients your guinea pigs.
Challenges in pastry industry
Home bakers are known to use premium-quality ingredients and that’s
probably what makes them stand out. But customers may expect cheap prices. Some experts feel the city has more bakers than customers. Instead of trying to cut down on price, stand out and be the best. It’s important home bakers remain true to themselves and their products. Continue making high-quality products and don’t compromise.
Work on photography skills
Pictures attract clients. Continue being active on social media. The more you post, the more you will be visible to new customers. Go back and take basics classes, as you can learn tips and tricks from new teachers.
Have an agreement with your vendors to promote each other. Be part of the exhibitions. Don’t try to sell your product on home baking groups. Reach other pages and introduce your product to potential new customers.
Licence mandatory
From Centre’s Ministry of Skills and Entrepreneurship, you’ll soon need a licence to be a commercial home baker. The National Skill Development Corporation has proposed that everyone in the industry, from driver to home baker, register themselves. You’ll also need a certificate to continue your business. Without it, you’ll be violating the guidelines laid down under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).