Ekta Malik, an interior designer by profession, presently running a home bakery ‘Cakolicious’ since 2014, is the first woman from Jammu and Kashmir to represent her State (now UT) on the platform of MASTERCHEF INDIA Season 7- a proud moment for Jammuites. As a freelancer, she used to practice under renowned architects. Her Professional life took a topsy-turvy after marriage as she had two little angels in her lap to bring up. The designer within her faded but the urge for creativity did not! Her Kitchen was a place for solace ! Having started her homebakery in 2014, enough of love,name and fame from her esteemed clients is her earning. After qualifying six auditions in Jammu Delhi and Mumbai. She achieved India’s Top 30 stage. She is back to her happy den, her bakery, and is all the more confident and enthusiastic to learn and face new challenges!
In an tete-e-tete with Ekta Malik shares her experiences and views about her profession and life, with Excelsior Correspondent
Q. In what way has the MasterChef India programme affected your personality?
Well! The prestigious logo of MASTERCHEF INDIA attached to my name , has given me enough of social recognition, an identity of my own, love name and fame from my esteemed clients. The experience has boosted up my confidence all the more!. Cooking in the Master Chef kitchen has polished my baking skills , time management and also a knowledge of National and International cuisines
Q. Would you like to appear again in Masterchef programme If it is held in future?
Yes! I would love to participate again if I get a chance to do so!. As in a competitive environment where you are with the Top notch chefs from different states across country, you get to know your own potential! It’s an introduction to the multi cuisines, new cooking techniques and food cultures. Competing in the Master Chef kitchen meeting the celebrity judges, facing the camera on the National Television, it holds not only cooking but that childish competition, that nervousness, prayers with crossed fingers and your best presentation. The experience is etched on my soul and will be cherished for a lifetime.
Q. Do you still have any urge for Interior decoration?
Well! On the sets of MASTERCHEF INDIA, Chef Vikas Khanna gave me an unforgettable compliment, “Nobody can take the interior designer out of you”!, on my plating skills. That’s absolutely true Interior Designing was a passion since my teenage. Moving out of my city to join the Designing Institute in the year 1994 was a big decision and support from my parents, as I was the first girl from my family to move out of town to study. Being one of the most dedicated students ..I was a Topper of the Institute for consecutive three years. With high hopes and lots of dreams I came back to my hometown. Thereafter I joined one of the most renowned architects and started freelancing, undertook several projects and began to be known as ‘Designer Madam’. In a span of 2years I designed a number of Temple Exteriors and was commonly known as ‘Temple Specialist’ amongst the architects. Today, The Designer within me has faded but the urge to create still kindles.
Q. Why did you shift to Bakery business? Was the shift smooth or you encountered any problem?
I could not pursue designing as I had two little angels in my lap. The designer within me faded as I was so engrossed in my own happy world, but the urge to creativity still kindled!…I found solace in the kitchen, whipping up desserts and experimenting with recipes was a source of happiness. My kids who were in their teens by now, knew about this passion of mine. On one of my birthdays they made it extra special by gifting me a Chef coat and an enrolment to a professional baking workshop by PDCA Mumbai.
After completing my professional course from PDCA and NFCI Ludhiana, my best critic, my husband set up a fully equipped workshop of my own in the home! by the brand name ‘CAKOLICIOUS’. By God’s grace there was no looking back since then! Enough of love, name and fame from my esteemed clients is my earning!
Q. Jammu being a small city, do you think women entrepreneurs have a bright future, here ?
Yes ! For sure! Being in a small city is not a criteria to hold yourself back ! A small city is a promising river for women entrepreneurs for a start -up instead of getting lost in a ocean!. We have been noticing drastic changes to acceptance and availability to startups in a span of last five years, specially after Covid period. Lockdown gave us enough time to pursue our hobbies into professions!
Q. What is your advice to these women entrepreneurs?
My advice to all those women who are willing to do something of their own, is to move out of their comfort zone, there is a lot of potential and calibre in you, even more than you can think of! Move out, explore the market, the demands and give yourself a trial!. Another most important thing is to be supportive to the other women of your surroundings be it your friends, family , society or even a house help. All she needs is a push in the back and the world is your stage!
Q. Are there any take aways from MasterChef programme which you can share with our readers?
The prestigious platform of MASTERCHEF INDIA is an open stage for all those culinary enthusiasts who lack a limelight to their talent. It gives you an open sky to spread your wings and take your flight. The show is a celebration of culinary talent from every corner of the country emphasizing on passion and presentation. It is a Hindi language competitive cooking reality television series that reaches every Indian home and heart through the screen. The competition polishes you, chisels you and brings the best out of you. The exposure to the culinary world in a competitive environment under the guidance of Michelin Star Chefs is an achievement in itself.
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