Precision, Passion, and Pastry : A Culinary Engineering Story by Annette Varshini Ramesh
My dear Rotary family, let me let you in on a sweet secret – sometimes life’s most delicious opportunities rise just like a perfectly baked cake. As an engineer turned pastry entrepreneur, I’ve learned that the recipe for success is remarkably similar to my eggless vanilla cake: a blend of precision, passion, and a pinch of unexpected magic.
Picture this: COVID-19 locks down the world, and instead of losing my mind, I found my calling. Who knew trading engineering blueprints for baking sheets would lead to Pastry Capital (my sweet baking startup)? Certainly not my engineering college professors!
The Eggless Wonder: More Than Just a Cake
Ingredients:
- 285g Curd (Your rising agent of transformation)
- 1/2 tsp Baking soda (Small but mighty!)
- 170g Sugar (Life is sweet, after all)
- 1/2 cup Oil (Smooth operator)
- 1 tsp Vanilla essence (Flavour’s best friend)
- 180g Maida (All-purpose flour, just like us Rotarians)
- 1 tsp Baking powder (The Silent Hero)
- A pinch of Salt (Because life needs balance)
The Baking Chronicles:
- Mix curd and baking soda – think of it as a chemical romance that makes your cake rise to the occasion.
- Sieve dry ingredients. Pro tip: This is where engineering meets culinary art. No lumps, no problems!
- Whisk oil and sugar until they’re so smooth, they could negotiate world peace.
- Fold ingredients with the gentleness of a Rotarian extending a helping hand.
- Bake at 180°C for 35-40 minutes – patience is not just a virtue, it’s a baking requirement.
The result? A cake that proves life – like baking – is about creating something beautiful from simple ingredients. Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too? Not this Rotarian!
This recipe is more than just food. It’s a celebration of innovation, resilience, and the sweet possibilities that emerge when we dare to mix things up – both in the kitchen and in life.
Annette Varshini Ramesh, founder of Pastry Capital, transforms engineering precision into culinary art. A testament to Rotary’s spirit of innovation and community. Connect for baking tips, custom orders, and sweet conversations at +91 8072 324 607.
