Passion for food
WHILE most of us cook because we need to eat, Malabar resident Saadiqah Limbada, 20, cooks to create and inspire.
Limbada's sugary treats started out as a hobby but now provides an income.
After marrying the son of a former national confectioner, Faraana Limbada, Saadiqah had to be sure her cooking could measure up to what her husband, Raees, was used too.
"I really learnt to cook about two years ago, after I got married. I learnt a lot from my mother-in-law, especially when it came to baking. My mother preferred to cook alone, so I never really got much practice," she said.
The mother of one-year-old Ashraf said once she baked her first cake her passion for baking and cooking grew.
"The first cake I baked was for my sister's 21st birthday. I found it really interesting and fun.
"Initially I cooked for the family but soon realised that I could turn it into a business.
"Now my husband and I sell the food I make to supplement his income. Once my mother-in-law taught me how to create sugar decorations, the orders have been streaming in.
"Before then it was always just a hobby after I was inspired by the TV programme Cake Boss.
" A lot of people also bake their own cakes and then ask me to decorate them," said Saadiqah.
The budding entrepreneur said she would encourage everybody to take up cooking as a pastime.
"A lot of the time people assume that housewives have loads of free time but it is definitely not the case. It is a full-time job which doesn't receive nearly as much recognition.
"But when I do have free time I enjoy nothing more than cooking. Aside from the fact that it is a skill that will always be useful, we all need to eat so we might as well make it good food," smiled Saadiqah.