JOIN USFrom cakes with a ‘DDLJ’ (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge) theme to an iPhone replica, football themed and even a ‘Game of Thrones’ cake, she has it all covered. Talented and energetic 39-year-old Sherlie Stephen will allow you to indulge your sweet tooth with her venture ‘Frostings’ and make you go weak in the knees by the mere look of her customised cakes.
She began baking professionally five years ago, an art that she grew passionate about because of her family, and has never looked back since. Her daughters were her initial tasters. She enjoys baking her cakes from scratch and believes in giving her very best in what she does.
“When a customer comes to me with an idea, I try and understand exactly what they want and do my best to deliver that. Right from the cake base to the fondant and the icing, I ensure that they not only look amazing but taste great as well,” she says. She has a keen eye for unique and creative designs and enjoys setting almost impossible goals for herself just so she can challenge herself further each time. “As my kids grew up, I had more time on my hands and I began exploring my creative side. All my baking skills are self-learnt and each cake I create is extremely special to me,” she adds.
Sherlie can’t pick out her toughest challenge when it comes to baking a cake. Whether it was the gravity-defying cake breakfast themed one or cakes with edible figurines that she has baked previously, each has their own specifications.
“The best cake that I have baked till now was a pineapple cake for my father’s birthday over a year ago. He appreciated the time and effort I put into it and that moment is something that I will cherish for a lifetime. I believe it is the thought that goes into the cake that gives it an extra touch, whether it is for an anniversary or a birthday. Customised cakes are a way of making someone feel loved on their special day, they help people to enliven a memory,” she expresses. She also sets up an annual stall during Christmas at the Catholic Club where she sells red velvet cupcakes for charity.
Sherlie usually takes a day or two to make a customised cake and get the detailing right. “On a weekly basis, I sometimes bake around four to five cakes, but only if I am confident that I can deliver perfection. I never give up if the design is complicated,” she says.
The name ‘Frostings’ struck her because of the flavour it adds to a cake or a cupcake. She describes, “The base of the cake is only complete with the frosting and the tiny sprinkles.
Some may say that it is perhaps the most creative and enjoyable part of the cake altogether!”
She enjoys watching baking shows on television like ‘Cake Boss’ and ‘Ultimate Cake Off’. Apart from baking, Sherlie enjoys gardening, do-it-yourself craft, food styling, yoga, writing for her fashion blog and being a perfect homemaker.
“My husband and my daughters have a sweet tooth and that is really helpful considering what I do. They have been extremely supportive in helping me live my dream. But I still have a long way to go. I would love to travel the world and meet other bakers. I remember travelling to London for a cake show three years ago and it was one of the best experiences. However, it made me realise that we have limited resources in India when it comes to creative baking tools and I would like to get some exposure abroad in order to enhance my creativity. It is my dream to bake a cake for Mahendra Singh Dhoni! ” she says with a smile.