27/07/2025

ON SUNDAY JULY 27, 2025 theSunday Special VIII

From home kitchen to studio spotlight While many may recognise Farah from her TikTok tutorials and Instagram-worthy bakes, her journey into the world of baking EHJDQ ZHOO EHIRUH VRFLDO PHGLD WRRN R̆ In fact, she was already making waves on screen as the host of Bakar, a baking show RQ +\SS79 WKDW UDQ IRU ¿YH VHDVRQV “That’s when I found out that aside from my love for baking, I’m also very comfortable in front of the lens,” Farah shared. “Hence why content creation is some thing I love doing, up until now.” But her story doesn’t start there. In 2016, she opened a small bakery café, a dream realised but one that came with hard lessons. “It lasted for about three years. I had to learn the hard way that it takes more than just baking delicious cakes to run a business,” she said. When the café closed in 2019, Farah took a step back to focus on understanding branding, strategy and what it meant to build something sustainable. By 2022, she launched Sooji Cakes and just three months later, the brand began gaining serious traction online. In just a year, she went from baking in a cosy corner of her kitchen to running her own dedicated studio, a creative space where she now hosts baking workshops and continues to build her community. “The vision was always to create beauti ful cakes, but with the right size and portion,” she explained. That signature balance of aesthetics, intention and mindful baking has become a hallmark of the Sooji Cakes brand. No legal experience needed When it comes to baking, Farah said no one should ever feel inexperienced. It’s a skill, she says, that can be nurtured over time. “In my experience of teaching, everyone can bake, provided they’re equipped with the right knowledge and a detailed recipe,” Farah said with much enthusiasm.

W KHQ VKH ¿UVW ODXQFKHG 6RRML &DNHV Farah’s goal was simple - to spark a love for cake decorating in others. As someone who genuinely enjoys both baking and the creative process of decoration, she wanted to share that joy with as many people as possible. If you’re hesitant to start with some thing big, Farah suggests beginning small, like a petite or bento-sized cake. “I’ve seen a lot of food waste when it comes to cakes. So when I started Sooji Cakes, I introduced bento and petite cakes, so customers could still enjoy a whole cake experience, but in a smaller portion that avoids waste,” she explained. A V \RXU FRQ¿GHQFH JURZV VKH HQFRXU ages you to experiment with sizes and styles that suit your preferences. Moisture matters Nothing could ever beat the undeniably satisfying feeling of cutting into a cake that’s soft, tender and perfectly moist. Achieving that texture, though, takes more than luck. It’s all in the method. Farah abides by a few golden rules in the kitchen, starting with the basics. “I always make sure to bake at the right temperature and avoid overmixing my cake batter. And buttermilk keeps your cake soft and moist, too,” she explained. One common mistake she often sees is bakers not understanding their own ovens. Since oven temperatures and timings can vary, she suggests doing a small bake test ¿UVW WR JHW D IHHO IRU ZKDW ZRUNV 6KH DOVR reminds bakers that accuracy is key. “Some recipes call for softened butter and that detail matters. Every ingredient has its purpose and using them correctly PDNHV DOO WKH GL̆ HUHQFH %DNLQJ FDQ WDNH time, but slowing down is worth it if you want the best result.” Most of all, she believes patience is essential.

Whisking passion into perfection There’s a quiet magic in watching cakes come to life. From humble batter to stunning creation, Farah Sooji is a rising star in Malaysia’s baking scene

Farah … “Baking is a skill that can be nurtured over time.”

T HERE’S something quietly comforting about watching one-minute reels of baking. Whether it’s clever hacks, cake inspiration or recipes to try DW KRPH WKHVH ELWH VL]HG YLGHRV R̆ HU D moment of calm. In 2020, when lockdowns gripped the world, home baking gained a new online audience. What began as a coping mechanism quickly evolved into a creative outlet, as social media platforms embraced the rise of the at-home baker. Today, the appetite for baking content shows no signs of slowing. From viral trends to local classes, the baking scene in Malaysia is thriving, with more people HDJHU WR UH¿QH WKHLU VNLOOV DQG PDVWHU WKH art of baking from the comfort of their own kitchens. Farahain Mutalib, better known as Farah Sooji, has built a loyal following of over 90,000 on TikTok. Known for sharing recipes, clever hacks and glimpses into her baking classes at her own studio, Farah’s content has become a favourite among home bakers. Here, Farah shares a few tips and tricks for aspiring bakers on how to make your cakes look good and taste even better. BY AQILAH NAJWA JAMALUDDIN