Paisley Petals Cupcakes and Bakes

Every now and then, we will find gems in the form of passionate people that follows their heart and interest and make it into a living. We often speak about work-life balance and not many would admit and take the bigger steps to realise that dream - either at work or quitting the job and pursuing the passion.
Today, i would like to introduce Paisley Petals Cupcakes and Bakes. The owner and baker is Nanthini Retnam, which happened to be my ex-colleague's sister. I have not met her, but from her creation, she doesn't looked like she just "picked up baking". Enjoy the introduction interview with the baker herself!

TriStupe (TS) : What drives you to bake and start up Paisley Petals Cupcakes and Bakes?

Nanthini Retnam (NR) : My mom has always been my inspiration! As a kid, I loved watching her churn out all kinds of cakes and bread from her little oven. About 2 ½ years ago, I decided to pursue this passion of baking more seriously and word got round. Orders began coming in for birthdays and other special events, and that’s how Paisley Petals Cupcakes & Bakes was born.

Banana Nutter & Cappucino Cupcakes

TS: Did you have a day job before turning this passion into a home-based business? What were you trained (in college/university) as?

NR: I spent my whole college & working life in the IT environment, where I was a professional information systems engineer. It’s only recently that I decided to pursue my love for baking on a full time basis.

Cream Cheese Brownies

TS: What was the turning point that made you decide to pursue this part-time/full time?

NR: There comes a time in life when we want more. We want to wake up and say “I can’t wait to work today!” and I had come to that point in life. With the encouragement from close ones, I gained confidence to start this business and focus on it full time. And I’ve never been happier.

Moist Chocolate Cupcakes - Valentine Edition. February 14, 2012 is coming yáll!

TS: I love your logo, what was it inspired from?

NR: It was actually based on the two patterns I love most which are paisleys and flowers. A friend of mine helped design it based on my input and we came up with the logo that you now see.

TS: I was told that your cakes and baking items only uses high quality ingredients. So, can I assume no margarine to be used and minimal shortening used as well? (as i am a little more conscious about what i eat nowadays, this is just to justify me indulging into those cakes)

NR: That is true. All the things I bake are made using high quality butter, premium quality dark chocolate and all natural/pure extracts. I do not use artificial flavorings and sugar is used sparingly in most of my cakes. I have one very important rule in baking – I do not bake anything I wouldn’t eat myself.

(Editor's note : PHEW!)

The Baker's Signature Cake - Dahlias Wedding Cupcakes

TS: What type of volume (of orders) that you been receiving? I envisage you have a kitchen with an oven big enough to put a lamb inside i.e. industrial oven.

NR: Right now, as the business is still in its fledgling stage, I get about 3-4 orders per week for cupcakes, brownies, cheesecakes or customized cakes. The volume increases during festive seasons. My oven is pretty much your standard size, but I’m counting on it growing along with my orders!

Cupcakes for Quirky Brown Cow Clothings Store Outlet Opening

TS: What was the strangest request you get so far, in terms of cake design or ingredient to be incorporated in?

NR: So far, there were some cute designs that I have done, nothing strange yet. But I am willing to try new things :) I think most people are really flexible when it comes to cake designs and they would rather just inform me of a theme, and the amount of people to serve, then leave the designing to me.

Red Velvet Cupcakes - CNY 2011 Theme

TS: They say you don’t put a price to a piece of art and good food, but what price range are we looking at say for Cupcakes and conventional cake? Are they charged by weight or is there a rough guideline?

NR: The pricing for my cupcakes and brownies/bars are pretty much standardized. Regular cupcakes, brownies and cheesecakes are in the range of RM40.00 – RM60.00 per set. Customized cakes start from RM150 depending on the intricacy of the design as well as the size of the cake. For customized cupcakes and wedding cakes, prices vary depending on quantity as well as design.

Classic New York  Style Mini Cheesecakes

TS: Any plans to open a physical shop in the near future?

NR: Probably, if the opportunity arises.

Customized Birthday Cakes

TS: They say the way into a man's heart is through his stomach, do you believe in that? And are you single and available?

NR: Yes! It is absolutely true! The men in my life have constantly expanding waistlines, and I take full responsibility for that.

(Editor's note : Guys, if you are wondering, she is taken.)

Christmas Theme Bittersweet Brownies

Bonus Question:

TS: There are so many others bakers out there doing the same business. So what would you say makes you different compared to them?

NR: I try my best to be different with both my recipes and designs. I get my inspiration from some of my favorite bakers but the end results are always my own creation. For example, my original alcohol-tinged cupcakes are very popular, as are my fruit-inspired cheesecakes. If you take a look at my menu, you’ll find many flavors that are not common at all in Malaysia, but you can be certain that they have all passed the taste-test! 

Strawberry Lime Swirl Mini Cheesecakes

So, there you go,  have been promised some baked goodies (it is in the fridge as i finish off this entry). If you are interested to get some custom-made cakes or baked goods, email Nanthini at paisleypetalscupcakes@gmail.com or you can find them in Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Paisley.Petals.Cupcakes. Go "LIKE" the page and look at the wonderful creations that will tease your tastebuds.