Zuri Girl is delighted to share with you one of her favorite Girlfriends, Berfe Bayraktar, and her deliciously pretty catering offerings. Berfe launched her own pastry catering business, Baked by B, and is delighting Zurich gals with elegantly presented displays of “Sweet Tables” across the city. Find out the inside scoop and solve all future sweet tooth and tea party needs…

ZuriGirl:  What is the story behind the name, Baked by B?
Baked by B: I like brand names which are simple, catchy and easy for people to remember. By naming my business Baked by B after my initials, I thought it would also add a personal touch to all the goodies I make and create a home-made effect.

ZuriGirl: What makes Baked by B unique?
Baked by B: I wanted to focus on offering mostly American traditional baked goodies and customized cakes which I think are not easy to find in the Zurich area. I tried to offer cupcake and cake flavors that are very traditional in America such as red velvet cake and peanut butter fillings. I also love designing “Sweet Tables” that bring a unique and elegant touch to all types of events from tea parties to baby showers or birthday parties. The sweet tables that I create also include custom table clothes, china, plates, accessories and flowers arranged by myself. So I provide a holistic sweet experience from baked goods to the atmosphere that makes Baked by B unique.

ZuriGirl:  If you could bake a cake for a celebrity wedding, whose would you choose?
Baked by B: She is totally not my style, but I think it would be fun to create a wedding cake for Lady Gaga. Imagining her costumes, I think a very out of the ordinary, abstract and unique wedding cake would fit her.

ZuriGirl:  What is your favorite type of event to bake for and why?
Baked by B: I love baking and cooking for Sunday brunches. You can get very creative with the menu when the occasion is a brunch and there are no limits. You can combine a baguette, croissant, brioche and a scone basket on one side, banana muffins and strawberry pancakes on the other side and a fresh berry tart in the middle.

ZuriGirl:  We love your tea party spread, were you the little girl that had tea parties for her dolls as well?
Baked by B: Yes, exactly I was that little girl who had little tea cups and pots set up in my bedroom. I am the oldest amongst my siblings and cousins so I would make them dress up and sit around the table and have a tea party. Today not much has changed, but now we sit around a real table as a big family, everyone brings on their cooking skills and have a feast. In addition to hosting all my cousins and siblings, I would always be the little helper to my grandmother who is an amazing baker. I would always put my hands in flour and help her every time she was baking.

ZuriGirl:  Who was most influential in helping you take the plunge to start your own business?
Baked by B: I have to say my husband. He was very supportive of me to start a new career which I was passionate about from the time I decided to go to Culinary School. I knew I wanted to continue my career as a Pastry Chef after we moved to Zurich and we decided it was best to launch my own business through a website where I can display my skills and offer customized items for my customers.

ZuriGirl:  How many sweets a week do you eat and how do you stay in such great shape!
Baked by B: Oh, thanks for the compliment! I try to stay away from them but it is really impossible! It is my biggest pleasure to eat good food and desserts… I love exploring new tastes and combinations. If I am out at a restaurant or a cafe, I always take a look at the dessert menu even if I don’t eat anything. I try to avoid driving and public transportation and walk a lot during the day,  Zurich is a wonderful city to do that.

ZuriGirl:  What’s your favorite sweets shop in Zurich?
Baked by B: I love Conditorei Schober. I feel so happy when I get in there and see all the delicate items they make and display them in such an original atmosphere. I think that their hot chocolate and Apple Strudel is the best in town!

ZuriGirl:  Where do you shop, in Zurich, for ingredients? Any great shops for amateur bakers?
Baked by B: I shop from the regular supermarkets for main ingredients; I think they have the best quality. For specialty baking items I shop from a website called Back-Art, they import items from Germany and Britain. I stock a lot of items when I travel to the USA…

ZuriGirl:  Where do you hope Baked to B will be in 5 years?
Baked by B: My dream is to have a boutique shop with an open kitchen where I can bake and serve sweet lovers surrounded by a cozy décor and accessories. I would also like to grow my catering and event planning & decor services.

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To learn more about Berfe and what Baked by B can create for you, visit her Home Page or ring Berfe at +41 (0) 789 35 77 76.

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