Custom-made cakes and Arabic desserts are the highlights of this Kottayam-based home baker

Irana, a native of Kanjikuzhi in Kottayam, has always been fascinated by the mesmerizing world of cakes and desserts. Moreover, she had a special admiration for the rich flavours of the Arabic cuisine. Her friends and relatives loved visiting her house as Irana would prepare delicious food and sugar treats for them. It was a friend who had tasted Irana’s cake during one of her visits, gave the first order. Irana did her research well and attended a three-day-long baking session before preparing her first cake as a professional baker. Her cakes and desserts soon became a hit.

Irana’s Arabic desserts like kunafa and baklava too are quite popular. Irana now runs a home baking business called 'Sugar Shack' that delivers custom-made cakes and Arabic desserts.

Irana started baking when she was just 17 years old. The lockdown period proved to be amazing time for her to hone her baking skills and expand her business. Irana says that she was bombarded with cake orders during the lock down period. “Baking gave me the chance to see many places in and around Kottayam and made many friends too,” notes Irana.

Her mother Jabeena Faisal and aunt Faseela TK supports Irana in her business. Irana says she feels happy and proud when her customers return with cake orders for all the events in their families.

Irana uses social media to update her baking skills as well as finding out unique designs. Sugar Shack’s Instagram page too is quite active. The small baking business that this youngster had begun after completing her plus two has now become a grand success and a major source of income.