No party is ever complete without cake, be it cupcakes, a tiered cake, or just a simple sponge. Cake is what makes a celebration a celebration – you see the gasps when a wedding cake is rolled out, or the twinkle in a child’s eye when their fabulous birthday cake is sparkling with candles. If you can’t tell, we love cake. And we especially love the gorgeous (and amazingly delicious) cakes by Dia.
Dia is a Lebanese expat living in K-town, a happy wife and a mother of three. She is an MBA holder and a former Marketeer who (as a Mother) found passion in party planning at first and began a cake journey by accident later. She founded @idias_kuwait, an Instagram page that was initially created to provide party “ideas” and DIY tips from party décor, balloon art, table setups and more. However, the area where she always struggled was the cakes that she used to order; she was never satisfied with in terms of color and finishing.
This is when Dia started to experiment herself. She tells us “I called my Mom (who happens to be a great chef and baker) and I asked her whether she knew what fondant was and whether she knew how to make it. I then asked her to bake me a cake and to send me the fondant along with it. Since then, she was the one baking, and I only decorated. Later I had to borrow her own recipe book and began experimenting and this is how my baking journey started. It’s crucial to mention that my first 100 cakes (that I baked for my family and kids) were a total failure. My first ever decent cake was the one I baked and decorated for my daughter on her 7th birthday where I had a full table of homemade birthday treats alongside that matched her birthday theme.” Through perseverance, Dia not only found success, but a passion.
It was on that day that all of her friends were impressed and kept asking her where she ordered the goodies from. One of her first ever supporters and close friend Catia recommended that she do this for a living. Dia didn’t take her friend seriously until she started planning Catia’s daughter’s birthday and then word of mouth took over. It was in 2017 that Dia started her Instagram page and posting every cake that she baked, even if it was just for friends and family on the weekends. Slowly, she found herself more and more immersed. “I started it for fun, not for any personal gain or praise but for the joy my work brought to kids. Cake art then became an addiction, and I couldn’t get enough. I was surprised with how quickly I was evolving and with increasing demand from friends and friends of friends, I had to quit my job as a Marketing Manager and decided to take this art seriously,” Dia shares.
Dia’s passion is not only catching, but it is what keeps her going. Dia shares that “having a passion for anything in life is what differentiates people from one another. My passion for baking and decorating cakes ignited a desire to learn, to experiment with cake decorating and to keep up with the trends in this ever-growing industry. Baking wasn’t something I ever thought I would do for a living. And although my Mom is a great chef and baker, it never occurred to me that one day I’ll be fulfilling her dream. Here’s where it all started. I had to resort to my mom to learn cake recipes and I’ve been experimenting with cake art ever since.”
The name of Dia’s business is an ode to her creative side and her playfulness. It is a mix of the word ‘ideas’ (she was initially sharing party ideas) and her name, Dia, and also a nod to the technical era – iPad, iPhone, etc. And her husband’s name also starts with the letter I – we just love the story!
Dia doesn’t want to set in stone her future plans too much, she prefers staying fluid and just seeing where her passion takes her. However, the plan of having an all-in-one bakery/birthday venue/coffee shop where kids can celebrate and enjoy their big day while parents can peacefully chill and enjoy her fresh bakes is exciting to her. She does however hope to start a Baking Academy someday.
TRUTH OR DARE QUESTIONNAIRE
How would your mother describe you in one word?
A Stubborn Child
How would you describe your mother in one word?
The best Chef in the family.
What is the most ridiculous question you’ve ever been asked?
Can I order a cake for tomorrow?
What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
I smile at strangers.
What is your theme song?
“Unstoppable” should be the theme song for every woman on the planet.
What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented?
“Jumpoline” A word my son used to call the Trampoline when he was 2 years old which I feel makes perfect sense.
Where would you like to live?
In a world with No Racism.
What is your dream retirement location?
My hometown. Mountains of Lebanon, the land of cedar trees and pine trees. Surrounded by natural landscapes and mesmerizing mountain view. Picking and eating organic vegetables and fruits from our backyard and enjoying fresh dairy products. Perhaps adopting lots of dogs and cats.
What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind?
The key to happiness is gratitude.
Which animal best describes your perfect partner, be it in business, or in life?
Dog.
Do you miss anything from your childhood and if so, what is it?
Time with my Dad and Grandma. (May their souls rest in peace).
If you could change your name, to what would you change it?
Never thought of one. Lydia I guess.
How would you describe your handshake, in one word?
Genuine.
What is the toughest part of your character?
Demanding.
Who is your favorite historical figure?
Mahatma Gandhi.
What in the world do you least desire?
Going To Gym.
What do you think is lacking in the world, which [if there were more of it] would make the world a better place?
Accepting others for who they are. Less Racism. Living with gratitude and not comparing your life to others.
Why do you think most people who do, like you?
I love with all my heart. Or else I walk away.
Finish this sentence: “Happiness is… knowing there is CAKE in the oven.
We loved catching up with Dia and hearing her story of finding her passion. If you have a party coming up, Dia is the one to contact, have her bake you a cake! In the meantime, follow her Instagram @idias_kuwait to see the glorious cakes she is baking and what else she is up to.
