As a passionate cook, Muiza Rajapkar has spent three years in Kuwait discovering and experimenting with desserts, and eventually writing her very own recipes. For this homemaker, life is all about sharing first-hand discoveries with family and friends. Her Indian heritage narrates how her post-married life bought a new opportunity where she could try out new sweets and nurture this skill. With an idea to develop more on this aspect, she began sharing and presenting her delicacies to those with a similar liking or craving for sweets, through her Facebook page: Muiza’s Culinary Delights. This gave her the necessary boost, which instantly changed baking from just a time-filler, to a hobby. Here she explains how over the years, it has became a routine which if not practiced, leaves an incomplete feeling.

Out of everything that you cook, from Indian traditional food to Italian cuisines, why has baking become your favorite?

Some things just happen because they have to. That is exactly how it started. I just happened to try baking a cake for the first time and it turned out to be better than what I expected. This success motivated me to further continue trying. Moreover, it kept me busy. My mother’s encouragement was yet another reason why I wanted to try something different. Despite being a housewife, she always encouraged me to try something new and stand out.

So basically, you always managed to do a good job with it?

There were failures. There always are. In fact, the second time itself, I faced failure. I tried baking chocolate muffins, which turned out to be a disaster. At this point, I was really discouraged and gave up. However, after a month, I had guests coming over and decided to try again. I repeated the chocolate muffins and they were great this time. From there, it really took off.

When and why did you decide to start the Facebook page?

It was because I wanted people to know what I was making. I realized that many people were trying new things here and I wanted to be a part of that. That’s when I decided to put all my tried and tested recipes online. It has been 4 months since I started my page. Sharing recipes makes me really happy. I feel I am a part of something. Facebook was the best option I had to connect with people and interact with them. It was amazing how I shared my ideas with people in exchange for their own. Moreover it gave me a reason to socialize with everyone around here, as I was new then.

What were the reactions you received?

It is always a proud moment when people tried out my recipes and came back to me commenting they liked it. This is one reason why I am continuing with it. My husband also helped and appreciated me. He would encourage me to try something new. Even though he is not fond of sweets, he would definitely try the ones I made. It took me sometime to build up confidence about the recipes but once the number of followers increased, it was overwhelming.

Any comment in particular that you remember?

I remember the first message of appreciation from a lady who was following me. She tried one of my recipes and wrote back to me. Her message said that I have magic in my hands. She loves the way I present and cook. She also appreciated me for what I do by sharing my recipes. She asked me for other new ones, if I had them. Whenever I feel discouraged, I read it, so as to get a push. I think that when people like what I do then I don’t have any reason to give up.

What was your biggest accomplishment?

My biggest accomplishment was the chocolate cake I baked for my husband’s birthday. It turned out to a big hit. It has taken my confidence to a completely different level.

Are you planning to further expand your hobby into something concrete?

In future, I plan to expand my hobby into work. If I get the chance I would love to take orders. My friends and family members always ask me to make something special on occasions and I love to do it, even if not asked. I generally make these desserts, and love to have my friends over, but I dream of sharing it throughout Kuwait. I want to make it big.

To try interesting recipes, you can follow Muiza on Facebook: Muiza’s Culinary Delights