Farah’s Home-style Cooking and Baking: Sweet and Savory  

Jun 04, 2023 News

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Cuisine Corner…

By Renay Sambach

Kaieteur News – A post to Facebook displaying a batch of donuts she made for her family led to a business venture by 28-year-old Farah Naz Ibrahim Azeez. During the COVID-19 pandemic, on August 26, 2020, Farah launched her food business, Farah’s Homestyle Cooking and Baking.

During an interview with The Waterfalls, she shared that her love for cooking dates back to her childhood, being in the kitchen observing her father cooking for the family.

“I always enjoyed being in the kitchen as a child. It started off with my dad, the late Z-man, always having me beside him when cooking for the family. He taught me the basics, until it was time for me to cook dinner every day after school when my parents were at work.”

Farah explained that her dad was a “savage critic” and this pushed her to do her best to ensure the quality, taste and presentation of her culinary treats was of good standard and quality, to avoid criticism. Getting a compliment from her father was the best feeling ever, she said, adding, “I wish he was alive today to see my progress, but I know he’s watching and guiding me throughout this journey.”

During the pandemic, after making a post on Facebook with the batch of donuts that she made, Farah said, “Persons reached out to me wanting to purchase or finding out how they can order; I honestly did not imagine that the donuts would’ve been such a hit, but from that day, Farah’s Homestyle Cooking and Baking was birthed.”

The business venture is one that Farah shares with her husband, Mohammad Azeez.

Her long-term goal for her business is to expand into a commercial bakery and café, and to be able to provide quality service, cakes, finger foods, meals and goodies at an affordable cost.

“We stand out mainly because we provide customers with a variety of mini finger foods, pastries, meals, desserts, cakes (customized, wedding, simple and novelty), sweetmeats, etc. So customers can get everything to cater for their guests at any event by just contacting us,” Farah added.

Her business is mostly known for cakes, mini finger food and 7-curry. Farah’s business is located in Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, with delivery being available. She even had to quit her full-time job to focus solely on her business. Farah’s Homestyle Cooking and Baking is a Home-based online business that operates mainly through what I post on social media.

“We were honoured to be a part of the Cricket Festival, Sonia Noel’s Expo 50 for 50 young entrepreneurs, Easter Fest, Mommy’s Corner Women Empowerment and Lady Nisa’s Bridgerton Themed Party.”

While there is no set working days and hours, the businesswoman explained, “Truly we love and enjoy what we do and customer satisfaction is our priority, we are flexible with timings, days and prices.”

Farah described herself as a self-taught baker and cake decorator. She enjoys being productive, learning new cake trends, spending quality time with her family, going on long drives and outdoor activities.

“Since I started my business, I have learnt that you don’t need a lot just use what you have at hand and eventually everything else will fall into place. You have to have the right support system and be surrounded by positive people,” Farah said.

She expressed her gratitude to her husband, mom, aunts, other family members, friends and her customers.

She shared, “I have never dreamt of being a cake decorator, because I couldn’t even bake a box cake properly let alone a cake from scratch. I literally started with no experience, with just a passion and the love for doing it. I was just a scared kitchen assistant that was given the opportunity to manage an entire bakery at Foodmaxx. I was told you never know you can do something until you try. And I tried and ended up loving it, I was so impressed and proud of myself that I became my own inspiration. So I have learnt that your talent is within you just waiting to be unleashed if you believe in yourself.”

The businesswoman explained that the journey so far has been overwhelmingly exceptional. She shared that her clientele has grown rapidly throughout these few years.

“Continue being a good person no matter what the circumstance, because one day you will be rewarded. My customer list consists mainly of persons I have met from nursery up until my last interaction at Ms. Nisa’s Bridgerton Themed party. So, I believe that the relationship between the persons you meet along your life is essential in your growth,” Farah shared.

To support Farah’s business, you can contact her on + (592) 617- 6340, Facebook @Farah’s Homestyle Cooking and Baking or IG @farah_homestlye_cooking_baking.

 

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