Hail to the cake queen

Belverdere’s Deseree Challan is known for her ability to make people’s sweet, icing coated dreams come true.
This cake queen’s hobby takes over most of her weekends as she bakes her way into people’s hearts with novelty cakes.
Deseree is a high school maths teacher during the week but on weekends she puts aside her calculator and red pen to satisfy her customers’ palates.
“I grew up in a compound family, where we shared a home with my large extended family. My aunt, Krishnee Kenneth, who is the best baker I know saw my desire to learn and passed on her knowledge to me from the age of 10.”
Deseree has never had any formal training and started making novelty cakes in July last year after she was inspired when watching television programmes, Cake Boss and Charlie’s Cakes.
“I find that people prefer cakes that are visually attractive to regular ones but at the same time they want a cake that tastes great. So I never compromise on taste and I make sure that all the prints are made with edible icing.”
During weekends her boys, Jaaidyn (14) and Shailyn (11) also take up their wooden spoons because she does not have anyone else to help her.
“I have never had to hire anyone to help me because Jaaidyn has mastered the art of baking and Shailyn is the resident taster. His brutal honesty keeps Jaaidyn and me on our toes,” said Deseree.
Although Deseree has baked hundreds of different cakes and puddings, she said her malva pudding and Jaaidyn’s chocolate cake were her favourites.
“Give me malva pudding and my son’s chocolate cake and I am a happy woman,” said Deseree.