HAVING travelled across the world and visited countries such as the United States of America, Japan, Australia, Argentina, South Africa and other parts of Europe, local self-made home baker and chef Jennifer Yap had other ideas on her diary as she travelled with a purpose to bring back the global menu to her kitchen.
Yap and her family were avid travellers, and for obvious reasons like many others, their regular travelling has come to a standstill – all because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
“What started of only as a simple liking for good food, it has now turned into a passion for baking and cooking.
“Just before the travel restrictions took place, my family and I travelled a lot. So, I decided to use that to my advantage to see how I could relate to baking and cooking.
“That was when I decided to try out different variety of foods from around the world. At the end of each travel, I would come home and try to recreate the foods we have tried abroad.
“My husband and kids have always enjoyed my cooking and it was a pleasure giving them so much delight through something I could give my 100 percent for,” Yap told Buletin Mutiara during an exclusive interview recently.
Some of her specialties include espresso chocolate cake, brownies, festive cookies, pumpkin coconut pie, cinnamon rolls, chicken pepperoni rolls, various types of butter cakes, almond rolls, pandan kaya rolls and the list goes on.
Yap is not only blessed with the ability to bake and cook, but she has a supportive husband, who also happens to be a pilot, which made travelling an easy task for the family.
Previously, Yap said the family used to throw house parties for friends and loved ones.
Considering her irresistibly delicious cooking and baking, her friends had encouraged her to consider turning this God-given talent into a business.
“I thought it was a good opportunity for me to start selling and stretch out my talent for the benefit of others. From the positive feedback and comments, I, then started to bake and cook more often, this time not only for the family, but for interested customers.
“What started off as a part-time activity has now turned into a full-time thing for me.
“At first, I started receiving orders just from within my gated community at my residence. But sooner or later, it got expanded even to my church members and new customers within Penang,” Yap added.
Asked whether she has plans of expanding her business, Yap said she has thought of opening a café or a restaurant, but due to the restrictions imposed for now, she has to put it on hold.
“For now, I totally enjoy ‘working from home’. Hahaha. My Filipino helper, Valentina has been a great help in the kitchen for me.
“I love what I do because at the end of the day, it gives me so much happiness just to be able to see people appreciate the fruit of my labour.
“Over the years, many things have happened, especially in terms of the network of people that I was able to gain.
“Many customers turned friends too. I see this as a blessing from God and through this God-given talent, I will continue to bake and cook in order to put smiles on everyone’s faces.
“Also, through this talent, I will continue to give back to the community in small ways.
“Despite it all, there will always be room for improvement in anything we do in life. Likewise, although I may have been to many countries and brought home recipes, I still feel I should learn up more and explore even newer recipes.
“For aspiring individuals, if you’re looking for instant success, then think twice before venturing into cooking and baking business.
“Yes, it is a rewarding career, but due to the competition from various levels, you have a mountain to climb. If you’re truly passionate and willing to cross miles to make this work, then go for it.
“Always keep God close when pursuing any business. After all, we all need a helping hand to blossom in life, be it through human or God himself,” Yap added.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix courtesy of Jennifer Yap