Bake sale offers vegan, gluten-free cakes

CHENNAI: By day, she is a dentist. But late at night, and in the wee hours of dawn, Sunitha Raja works to conjure up healthy, baked delights. Raja is one of the 14 home bakers who will showcase their products at Grand Annual Bake Sale at Spaces on Elliots' Beach Road on Saturday.
"Healthy baking, vegan baking and gluten-free baking will be making a big presence for the first time at the event," says K P Balakumar, who launched the Home Bakers Guild (HBG) in May 2012.The facebook group now has 37,000 members from across India and abroad and provides a platform for enthusiasts to meet, interact, promote businesses and gather tips.
At the event, which will be held from 4pm to 7pm, Raja will offer gluten-free cupcakes and cakes and healthy breads. "I've received orders from people looking for healthy alternatives. I am also into healthy eating, and try to avoid gluten and dairy products in my diet, and am trying to put it forth in my baking too," says Raja. The gluten-free cupcakes will be made of millets and cakes out of almond flour.
Or you can choose from Radhika Radhakrishnan's spread - products that shun refined sugar and eggs. Wholly focused on vegan baking, she uses a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in her bakes.
"This is my seventh event over the past two-and-a-half years, after hosting four in Chennai and two in Bangalore. The earlier events were titled 'The Baker Showcase' and starting in 2015, these events will be an annual feature," says Balakumar, who runs a family office. "I would like this event to become must-see, must-do and part of Chennai's attraction as a destination in January."
The event aims to help home bakers gain access to a larger pool of customers while at the same time, give people in the city a taste of the best from our homes, he says. "It's all about connecting and expanding the market for home bakers while simultaneously showcasing their vast repertoire and quality," adds Balakumar.
This year's event will have many firsts. "For the first time, we have a male baker, Alexander Kettles of Kettles Kitchen, participating. We also have 100% organic bakers - Nandini Sivakumar & Dr Bhavna Rao," says Balakumar.
"Every time, though the primary focus is on baking, we have a couple of home bakers or chefs bringing in savouries. This time, Coorgi cuisine will be in special focus thanks to Smitha Kuttayya and Shanthala Medappa," says Balakumar.
So far, the bake sales have received huge response. "The first bake sale held in June 2012 in Chennai was a sell out in one-and-a-half hours for what was intended to be a three-hour event," says Balakumar. "The story continues with every event, despite the larger number of bakers participating and more desserts and savories on offer."