Celebrating South Asian Heritage Month - Ayesha Ali
Ayesha Ali, our Voids and Allocation Coordinator, invites us into her world of baking, where her South Asian heritage and love for sweet treats come together in harmony.
Inspired by beautiful bakes on Instagram and nostalgic memories from her childhood, Ayesha has turned her passion into a creative outlet.
Read her story below:
"Growing up, I often found myself captivated by the beautiful bakes on Instagram—cupcakes, birthday cakes, and all sorts of sweet creations. Inspired, I decided to bake a birthday cake for my son's birthday.
Although it didn't look as perfect as the ones on Instagram, its taste was amazing. The flavours brought back nostalgic memories of baking with my friends during my childhood. The smell of baking filling the room with joy and everyone eagerly waiting to taste the creations was a feeling I cherished.
This newfound confidence led me to bake for charity stalls at my children's school fundraisers. Despite my efforts, I felt I was missing the 'too pretty to eat' touch. My decorating skills were self-taught and needed refinement.
Determined to improve, I took an intensive cake decorating course, and the rest is history. Now, I am passing my skills down to my children. They love baking, are familiar with the ingredients, and are learning the decorating techniques—because everything needs sprinkles!
Baking has become a way to express my creativity and connect with my heritage. I enjoy making all kinds of sweet desserts and consciously work with new ingredients and techniques.
The theme "Free to Be Me" during South Asian Heritage Month resonates deeply with me. It encourages us to celebrate our unique identities and experiences. For me, baking is a connection to my past and a way to share joy."