With the list of home bakers hitting the ceiling, we met Amal Farooque behind SugarOverDose, who claims to have introduced cake pops in Mumbai
‘Flying by the seat of your pants’ is what defines this 29-spunky-something. Amal Farooque, the woman behind the saccharine shop called SugarOverDose, can tempt you with cake pops, cakes, cupcakes, blondies, brownies, cookies, macarons and cheesecakes for now. If you think that’s that, think again, as this home baker has got her eye on concocting a much longer list, still.
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“It started in May 2011. Ever since I was a kid, my family and I have been crazy about food,” she gushes. As she casually mentions that by training and education, she in reality is a Finance professional, we express disbelief. “My father was adamant that I complete my education as he wanted me to be academically sound.” She adds, “Plus, with the family obsessed over food, I never thought that this would require training.
Nevertheless, this self-confessed foodie started cooking since she was six and baking when she was ten. “After nearly five-and-a-half years in Finance, I felt that if I won’t start living my dream now, then when will I,” she exclaims. After putting in her papers and a six-month-long vacation, Farooque embarked on her dream. “A close friend called me, one day for a cake that was needed in her office. She ordered a Chocolate Mousse Cake in four hours, and I took it on by baking and delivering it by driving down to her office,” she shares.
She claims to be the first to introduce cake pops in the city. In addition, she has bagged a diploma from Sophia Polytechnic, though she didn’t think too much of it: “It was all to intern at a big place as I did at Taj Land’s End for three to four months and picked up as much as I can.” What smites us is her unique array of flavours such as Guava Walnut Brownie, Gulab Jamun cupcake and the soon-to-come Dark Cherry and Rosemary Whole Wheat Cookie. Pick the spicy macaroons, she says!
At: 302, Mangal Aadesh, fourth lane, Khar Subway Road. Santacruz (E).
Call: 9821561159;
Log on to: www.facebook.com/SugarOverDose2011?fref=tsu00a0