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CUPCAKE queen Mashaal Al Bayat cooked up a treat at her son's birthday party and ended up launching a part-time bakery business.
Her light and fluffy creations are already causing a stir in Bahrain as business event and party organisers book her to bake up some bite-sized treats.
Mashaal, 30, from Sanad, has always had a 'sweet tooth' but never thought her talent in the kitchen would one day turn into a fun-filled entrepreneurial exercise.
She said: "It started off as an idea after my two-year-old son's birthday party. Khalid is allergic to eggs so I called almost every single bakery in the country for an egg-free cake.
"No one had a clue what I was on about as if it was an impossible task. I really wanted to make something that he could enjoy so I took the matter upon myself.
"I found a suitable recipe online and decided since it's a children's party that I would make cupcakes.
"Everyone at the party loved them, I loved baking them and before I knew it, people started ordering them!"
Husband Abdullatif Khalid and her sisters Soha and Manal suggested setting up a cupcake venture and shortly afterwards Swirl Cupcakes was born. "I put together a business plan and ideas but it was my friend Nada who really got me started. She called me up and said I know that you wouldn't do this on your own so I will be your first customer and I am placing an order.
"I always loved baking I just never realised how much I would love these tiny little cupcakes. My husband has been extremely supportive and understanding as well as my sisters who have helped me with big orders too."
Mashaal has launched a range of 'melt-in-your-mouth' flavours such as egg-free red velvet and spiced chai, regular chocolate, chocolate chip, carrot, banana and vanilla.
She said: "The most popular has been red velvet but my latest taste creation - chocolate with a marshmallow centre and topping - is much in demand. Also, I can make vegan cupcakes if requested too.
"I would love to open up my own bakery but it can wait for now. I still have a lot of research to do and finding the right location is very important."
The enterprising mum advises others considering starting up their own business that they should not get overwhelmed and to love what they are doing.
Mashaal's tasty treats come in 'regular' or 'bite-size'. Twenty-four mini cupcakes are priced BD6 and 12 regular-sized are BD6.
For further details she can be contacted on 36076766.
Pretty in Pink
During October's breast cancer awareness month, Mashaal is baking special batches of cupcakes to raise funds for the Think Pink charity.
They are pink and have a pink ribbon theme. Mashaal adds: "All the proceeds I make through my cupcake sales will go towards the organisation. I have a lot of people in my life that either have family or friends with breast cancer and I want to help increase awareness."
