Self-taught proprietress of Vidya’s Cakes leads the way in cake artistry

Jan 15, 2023 News

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By: Malisa Renada Playter Harry

Kaieteur News – With over a decade experience in baking and decorating cakes, Vidya Basant from Gangaram, East Canje Berbice, has laid the foundation to becoming a well-known and reputable baker, within the ancient county of Berbice. Basant, a receptionist at an eye clinic, started baking in 2013, and has since been impressing customers with magnificent cakes, baked to perfection, every week as she receives orders.

From a simple iced or buttercream cake to a multiple-tier wedding cake with extravagant designs, Basant does it all. She started by baking for family and friends.  Soon after, her work started to garner the attention of everyone who tasted her delightful treats. Her home circle encouraged her to make it a business, since they believed that she could become an exemplary baker.

The initial event that piqued her interest in baking and cake decoration came when her brother ordered a cake from Georgetown. She recalled that when the cake arrived, parts of it got damaged during transport to Berbice. She said her brother asked her if she could mend it which she did, and that remarkably simple situation intrigued her.

“My brother pushed me, and he started to post my work on Facebook; just little things. I did that at home because I had no stuff to start off with, I just had piping tips, that’s it, and then I started taking orders from my brother’s friends and I didn’t really charge, I just wanted the experience. But then he encouraged me to start charging and I was getting good…” Basant revealed.

She said when she did her first character cake; it was not good, in her opinion. For a design to come to life on her cakes when she started out, Basant said she would usually draw the design on paper, but she soon realised that was not the most effective method, “the first one was really horrible and it was a Phineas and Ferb’s cake.” As she continued to bake and practice, she got better, she continuously challenged herself and it turned out magnificent.

Basant garnered all her skills on her own, using cake decorating books, which her relatives sent from overseas, and watching YouTube videos on cake baking and decorating.

“My aunt gave me books. That’s where I started. Before then, I didn’t have a computer or phone and my cousin and aunt brought books. My cousin photocopied piping stuff for me to see, and my aunt sent the books from overseas so I can see how to make stuff like the cake topper, flowers and so forth…she is the one who actually sent cake-making tools for me. I didn’t have piping bags; I did it the hardest way possible, just the thimble and put pressure on it which was not so good.”

She added that when she started, the cake making was done on a part-time basis since she worked as a receptionist for half of the day. The other half of the day, she would use to make cakes for persons who placed orders for birthdays or any special occasion. Her business grew tremendously that it has afforded her the opportunity to be her own boss and work from the comfort of her home.

For Basant, while she finds immense joy in baking and decorating cakes, she added that creating character cakes are her real favourite, since she gets to see the characters come to life on her cakes. With everything done from scratch, the process to complete a simple buttercream frosted cake could take about an hour. Wedding cakes and 2D cakes on the other hand, could take up to three or more hours to complete. This is one of the main reasons customers are required to place their orders two weeks in advance. With orders placed early, Basant said it gives her enough time to get all her tools and ingredients together, to create her masterpieces especially since everything is edible.

“Sometimes you will have the negative expectation that it won’t look good. When I started at first, it was frustrating, because I was not getting it right. My second topper was Elsa, and in my opinion, it was not good. However, my brother believed in me. He told me one day I will get better and it happened. You just have to believe in yourself and never give up, if you fail a million times, you just have to get up…”

Giving flowers to other bakers, Basant said she thinks there are a lot of really good bakers out there, but what sets her apart is the fact that she tries to make every part of her cake edible.

“I would do anything for every single one of my cakes to be edible. And if it’s not edible, if I have to put a piece of paper on the cake or touch the cake, I would put fondant first…I always advise my customer of what I put in my cakes if I put a piece of stick to hold up something, I tell them. I always say to customers, I can’t copy a cake, because some people may do it differently from me and it doesn’t look the same; but I always try my best to make it look as close as possible. There is always something different about my cakes and I’m always eager to satisfy my customers…”

Basant noted that she takes criticism as something to learn from. This in essence has helped her to improve along the way and it has garnered a wider customer base.

When it comes to creating her masterpieces, Basant noted that when she started out, acquiring the proper ingredients and tools was difficult, since they were not readily available. She would have to get the items from overseas. As the years went by, and more shops and stores opened their doors to a variety of items, almost all of her ingredients can be accessed quite easily.

“Now you can go to the stores and get stuff before that if I didn’t have somebody to send it from overseas, I don’t get it. We do have a shortage for some items because of COVID, but it’s still easier now…”

Vidya’s cakes offers cakes in a variety of flavours which include: chocolate, almond, lemon, vanilla, funfetti, red velvet, black cake, and fruit cake. She also makes cute cupcakes that are filled with personality and flair. She also bakes attractive and delicious cookies. Her prices range from $7000-$85,000 depending on the size and design of the cake. Basant has done cakes for birthdays, weddings, parties, and other special occasions, and does not disappoint, since the customers always give positive feedback and return for more of her delightful treats. She has also baked cakes and sent them overseas for customers living outside of Guyana. She usually does 4-5 cakes a week, so she gets quite busy and engrossed in her craft.

For persons interested in trying some of her delectable cakes or having a view of more of her designs, her Facebook page is Cakes by Vidya. She can also be contacted on (+592)686-9364 to place orders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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• Pup cupcakes, Unicorn cake and cupcakes, Vidya Basant, Wedding cake

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