by Michelle Pereira for BIS Mumbai

On November 9, 2024, the Don Bosco Café in Nerul came alive with creativity during a cupcake frosting workshop led by renowned pastry chef Harshita Sharma. Known for her skill in crafting delicious, eggless baked treats, Chef Sharma runs her own bakery, Twiddle, specializing in eggless, gluten-free, and sugar-free goodies. The workshop saw enthusiastic participation, with over 25 attendees, both adults and children, eager to learn the basics of cupcake decoration.

Chef Sharma began by introducing herself and sharing a bit about her company and her passion for baking. She calls herself the fidgety pastry chef for her nature to fidget with new ingredients and cook up new recipes. She then walked the participants through the process of preparing a cupcake batter, which she put into the oven for baking. To ensure everyone could follow along, participants were encouraged to bring their own pre-baked cupcakes to practice decorating. 

As the cupcakes baked, Chef Sharma called the participants to gather around while she introduced various icing nozzles, explaining the purpose of each and demonstrating how to make smooth, creamy frosting. Her instructions were clear and accessible, making it easy for participants of all ages to follow. She shared valuable tips and tricks on achieving the perfect consistency and handling the frosting with ease.

Chef Sharma engaged the group by allowing them to choose their own colours for the frosting, creating a palette of hues to work with. She then demonstrated how to fill a piping bag and how to cut the tip at the correct angle for decorating. The excitement in the room grew as participants watched her create intricate designs on the cupcakes, using various techniques to form swirls, roses, and other delightful patterns.

The highlight of the workshop was the hands-on experience. Each participant received a piping bag filled with coloured frosting, and everyone had a chance to decorate their cupcakes. Children and adults alike displayed their creativity, turning their cupcakes into mini masterpieces. The aroma of freshly baked cupcakes filled the room, and soon, beautifully decorated treats lined the tables.

At the end of the session, the participants expressed their enjoyment and appreciation for the workshop. They were thrilled to have learned new skills they could use at home to decorate cakes and cupcakes. The day ended with smiles, photographs, and each participant proudly taking home their unique creations, savouring not only the sweet treats but also the sweet memories made.