Gazeenasulu Kunhamed shares her journey learning to bake which began when she got married at 19 and did not know basic cooking skills. She learned to make tea and eggs from her husband and started trying a new dish every day. After getting her first oven two years later, her baking began with savories and then progressed to desserts. While her first attempt at making puttu and fish curry was a hilarious failure, she has come a long way in her culinary skills through perseverance. She now bakes regularly to feed her family of six and hopes to start a home catering business.

1. Presenting…
Gazeenasulu Kunhamed

2. Baking? How?
I got married when I was 19. I couldn’t
make tea, let alone bake. Having been in
the boarding school ever since I was 3, I
didn’t know ABCD of the kitchen.
My husband taught me to make tea and
egg. It’s been a culinary journey from
thereon. I tried a new dish every day
and realized that it was the only way to
his heart; cliched as it may sound but it
was.
I got my first oven 2 years later and the
baking started in humble steps; savories
first and gradually desserts!

3. First attempt in cooking?
Oh I still remember that! The
first time I decided and
attempted to make a full meal
was hilarious, when I think back.
Puttu and fish curry - a typical
mallu meal; I had rice flour cakes
flying all over. :P I cried my heart
out and we finally ended up
ordering dinner.
Considering that, I think the
journey has been fantastic!

4. And then?
A new baby ,short-tempered hubby
with a great appetite for good food..
Definitely an overwhelming phase I
must say.
As always it became a matter of
pride. When I set my mind , I just do
it. Thus started the flow of
compliments which was very
encouraging. Of course 4 kids
followed straight up, and there has
been no looking back.
The kitchen is now my kingdom!

5. Favorites at home?
I’d say I started cooking for them
full scale and no food goes waste
in my house as my battalion
polishes it all off .
All of them have a sweet tooth
and so, dessert rules, so
obviously that was almost the
main meal at home until my
husband was diagnosed with
diabetes. So now it’s restricted
like 5 times a week. (What? Are
you serious?)
hahaha just kidding. But
obviously sweets rule. 

6. HBG and Showcase?
I must say that the home bakers
guild gave the confidence to take
that one step forward towards
my dream.
I’m eternally indebted to HBG for
pushing me to take that one little
step that has been a leap ahead!

7. Ingredients?
Most of my supplies come
from Dubai -
cocoa, cheese, baking powder
& soda. I just don’t
compromise on that.
Off late have been visiting
waltax road only for whipped
cream ,compound chocolate
and other such stuff. But then
I also love Passionate Baking –
good store that one!

8. What next?
My kids have forced me to take
up orders for their friends. I
work with my husband in his
business - manufacturing
automobile exhaust parts and
believe me, I hate it. ;-)
Baking is what I want to do, and
here I am.
I have just started giving snacks
and desserts to friends and
family and plan to have full
fledged catering kitchen home
style.

9. The pretty mommy – See you soon at the
showcase! Good luck!