Baking Dreams into Reality: Electronics engineer turns baking hobby into successful restaurant business
Srinagar, Nov 16: When passion meets purpose, success often follows, and few stories illustrate it better than that of 30-year-old Syed Mehtaab Muneer from Srinagar’s Hawal. An engineering graduate by qualification, Mehtaab found her true calling not in the delicate art of baking. She said what began as a humble home-based venture around 2020 has today grown into a thriving bakery and cafe business employing over twenty people.
She said that back in 2019, while in her twenties, Mehtaab decided to give wings to her long-cherished dream. Despite holding an engineering degree, she felt a deeper pull toward her creative side.
“I was always drawn to cooking and baking. Even during my studies, I would spend hours experimenting in the kitchen. It made me happy and I knew one day I wanted to turn that happiness into something meaningful,” she recalls with a smile.
Determined to take her passion forward, Mehtab said that she went to Delhi in 2019 to pursue a professional course in baking. The training, she says, helped her refine her skills and understand the nuances of the business. “I wanted to learn it professionally, not just as a hobby. The course opened my eyes to the finer details from ingredients and presentation to managing customers and costs,” she says.
Mehtaab said when she returned home to Kashmir, the world was in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. She said that starting a business amid lockdowns, supply shortages, and uncertainty was never going to be easy. Yet, Mehtab took the plunge. From her small kitchen in Hawal, she began baking and selling cakes under the brand “Sunny Smile Bakes”.
“The beginning was very challenging. There were days I couldn’t find basic supplies or equipment. But I believed in my craft. I knew that if I maintained quality, people would come back,” she says.
In 2022, Mehtaab got married to Saqib Banday, who would soon become an integral part of her entrepreneurial journey. “My husband and in-laws have been my strongest support system. Saqib joined me in 2022, and together we started expanding the business,” she says.
She said that with consistent demand and growing popularity, Mehtaab rented a small space in Hawal to set up a production unit. And in April 2023, she turned her dream into reality by opening the first physical outlet, Sunny Smile Bakes and Cafe. She said that the cafe became an instant hit among locals, offering not only cakes and pastries but also pizzas, burgers, coffees, and desserts.
Riding on the success of her first outlet, Mehtab opened her second café just six months later, in October 2023, near the University of Kashmir at Hazratbal. “We wanted to reach students and youngsters who love experimenting with new tastes. The response has been overwhelming,” she says.
Today, ”Sunny Smile” is known for its creative cakes and desserts. Mehtaab also introduced several innovative concepts to the Kashmiri market, from chandelier-style hanging wedding cakes to customised sweet boxes for marriages. “Every season brings a new trend in desserts, and I make sure we stay ahead. We were among the first to introduce customised kunafa chocolates and designer sweet boxes. People loved it,” she says. Even while innovating, Mehtaab says she has kept her connection to Kashmiri tradition alive. “I tried to revive the age-old Rout, a local sweet bread, giving it a modern twist by offering bite-sized, elegantly packaged versions,” she explains.
She said her venture has grown into more than just a business, and it is now a source of livelihood for many. Between her two outlets, Mehtaab now employs around 20 people directly, from bakers and chefs to servers and managers, and supports many others indirectly, including delivery staff and local suppliers. She said “Sunny Smiles” is also listed on food delivery platforms like Swiggy and Zomato, where it enjoys consistently high customer ratings. “Our focus has always been on quality. No matter how fast we grow, I don’t compromise on taste or ingredients. That’s what keeps customers coming back,” Mehtaab said. Looking ahead, Mehtaab says she dreams of expanding her brand further. “This is just the beginning. I want to build a chain of outlets across Kashmir, providing good food and employment opportunities,” she said.
