Background and Inspiration
Inspiration can spark from the most unexpected places. For Shreya Shirsat, the fascination began during her teenage years while watching cake artistry on TLC. The beauty and creativity of those colossal cakes always left her wondering about the processes behind them. As she grew up, she harboured a desire to create something she could be proud of—her own brand. Initially venturing into corporate gifting, the monotony stifled her creativity. Realising this, she shifted focus to cake making, seeking to elevate her skills in cake artistry. With each creation, her love for cake art deepened, pushing her boundaries and challenging her to create more intricate designs.
The joy of seeing smiles on the faces of those she worked for and the creativity inherent in cake designing inspired her to pursue a career in this field. Every creation fueled her determination to follow her heart’s calling. Today, as a cake artist, she finds fulfilment in turning dreams into edible masterpieces. This career allows her to delve deeper into the layers of cake art and enjoy its essence. Moreover, the testimonials she receives and the satisfaction of seeing her creations become points of joy and celebration for her clients are incredibly rewarding. Although she does not have any notable baking experiences from childhood or early years, her passion for cake artistry grew steadily over time.
Training and Expertise
Shreya has undertaken numerous specialised courses to enhance her skills in cake designing. Mentored and trained by top national and international cake artists, she has specialised in multi-tier celebration and wedding cakes.
Throughout her baking career, Shreya has acquired several valuable skills. Efficient time management has been crucial, allowing her to juggle various tasks effectively. Experimenting with flavours keeps her creations exciting, while handling different situations as they arise has taught adaptability and problem-solving. Mastering cake design techniques has given her work a distinctive touch. Transparency with clients, understanding their needs, and managing stress have been key to maintaining composure during busy periods. She specialises in wedding cakes, multi-tier celebratory cakes, and festive hampers, creating memorable centrepieces for people’s special days.
Bakery Operations
At Chocolat Story, regular inventory checks are conducted to ensure all necessary ingredients and supplies are available. Basic cake ingredients are always stocked fresh. Maintaining good relationships with vendors is essential for timely delivery and quality ingredients. In her home studio, hygiene and cleanliness are prioritized. The workspace undergoes regular sanitization, with dedicated cleaning schedules for work surfaces, baking equipment, and utensils. A regular pest control program is also maintained.
Signature Creations
Chocolat Story Cake Modaks are a big hit every year, with customers eagerly awaiting them. Shreya enjoys creating quirky flavoured Modaks during Chaturthi, such as Kaju Biscoff Cake Modaks and Churros Modaks, which remain popular. Another specialty is the 3D mapping cakes, a true masterpiece combining cutting-edge technology with cake art to create stunning visual displays on cakes.
Creating new recipes is both a passion and a craft. Shreya experiments in the kitchen for days, exploring different flavour combinations and playing with multiple ingredients. Every new creation undergoes tasting sessions and refinement with a batch of 10-15 people, ensuring it meets her standards of taste, texture, and presentation. Fondant is a versatile medium she loves to work with, enjoying the endless possibilities it offers for creating magic in her designs.
Customer Interaction
Building relationships with clients is a priority. Personalised service, understanding each client’s unique preferences and needs, is central to her approach. Every creation is customised and designed according to their vision. By creating meaningful experiences, building trust, and seeking genuine feedback, strong client relationships are fostered.
Shreya takes pride in offering personalised and custom cakes tailored to her clients’ preferences and occasions. The process begins with a detailed discussion to understand their specific requirements, dietary needs, and design preferences. She offers a range of flavours and designs to choose from, maintaining open communication and providing sketches, samples, and updates throughout the designing process. On the event day, she personally delivers and stacks the cake with attention to detail. Friendly conversations with clients from the first call until the final delivery prioritise their satisfaction. She actively seeks and responds to feedback, addressing any issues promptly and professionally.
Community Involvement
Whenever possible, Shreya supports community initiatives by donating bakes or monetary contributions to fundraisers. Although she has not participated in markets or local events, she strives to give back to her community. Chocolat Story has collaborated with 25Pixel since 2016 to create special projection mapping cakes. Proud to have introduced this concept in Goa, she offers the finest possible work to her clients. Shreya believes in giving back to the community that has given her so much. She offers complimentary small cakes to those facing financial challenges and special discounts to local residents and first responders.
Challenges and Rewards
The weather conditions in Goa, with high humidity and heat, make it challenging to manage the texture and intricacy of cake designs. Specialised supplies are sometimes unavailable in Goa or even nationally, complicating the process within set time frames. Post-COVID, the influx of new entrants offering cakes at lower rates has compromised the value of craftsmanship. Educating people on the importance of quality work is essential for established businesses like Chocolat Story.
Witnessing the joy her work brings to people’s special moments is truly fulfilling for Shreya. Hearing clients express their love for her work and seeing guests enjoy her cakes are very rewarding. She feels blessed to do what she loves and to work with some of the best event planners in the industry at the finest venues. Clients from all walks of life, globally, praise her work and trust her with their special days.
A standout moment in Shreya’s career was creating Goa’s first projection mapping cake in 2016, blending cake art with digital technology. This unique creation, developed in collaboration with 25pixel, earned her the nickname ‘the cake mapping girl’ in Goa. The cake was a sensation, breaking the internet and earning significant attention, including features in local newspapers. This experience highlighted the power of creativity and partnership to break new ground and wow audiences.
Adaptability and Innovation
Shreya follows cake trends through various cake magazines and websites, incorporating those that suit her niche into her designs. She focuses on her strengths rather than chasing every viral trend on the internet. Adapting to market changes is crucial for any business. Initially, fondant cakes were highly popular, but preferences have shifted towards non-fondant cakes. Shreya has embraced a non-fondant or minimal fondant approach alongside her fondant cakes. In cake art, innovation is key. She focuses on minimal yet visually appealing designs and constantly explores new inspirations and ideas. In baking, she loves experimenting with seasonal and fusion flavours, despite the planning and brainstorming required. The delicious results and client satisfaction make it worthwhile.
Advice for Aspiring Bakers
For those aspiring to pursue a career in baking, Shreya recommends seeking formal training or learning from established professionals in the industry. This helps set a solid foundation that self-teaching or online tutorials may not offer. She advises not to see someone better as a competitor but as an inspiration to learn from. Dedicate ample time to practise, as baking is an art that improves with experience. Focus on what you’re good at and create a specific niche to excel in. Lastly, stay true to your art, prioritise quality over quantity, and enjoy what you do, as passion is key in this industry.
Adaptability to the ever-evolving industry. Patience to endure failures and savour success. Physical and mental stamina to work long hours and multitask effectively. Attention to detail and the ability to manage time and meet deadlines.
A common misconception about baking is that it’s easy and effortless. In reality, it requires patience, practice, and precision. Crafting a cake professionally involves planning, designing, brainstorming, and often long hours of stressful work. People often think it’s an easy source of income sitting at home, but baking professionally involves much more than that. It’s a challenging endeavour that demands dedication, hard work, and constant learning. Shreya wants to debunk this myth and highlight the true dedication and skill required in this profession.
Future Plans and Goals
In the near future, Shreya is excited to share her knowledge with aspiring cake artists through certified courses and personalised hands-on consultations. She also aims to enhance her online presence through social media. Overall, her future plans focus on growth, innovation, and maintaining her commitment to quality, creativity, and community engagement. She is currently working on sharing her knowledge and enhancing her online presence, focusing on the same projects mentioned above.
Shreya envisions Chocolat Story as a hub for creating unforgettable moments and delightful experiences for her clients. Her goal is to become the most recognized name in the industry and the top destination for designer cake needs in the state and beyond. She strives to add value to her clients’ special occasions and make positive contributions to the communities she serves.
