SMR Reads: What's Your Hobby? Baking with Ms. Adrina

Are you busy baking Raya cakes & biscuits? In conjunction with Raya celebration, here is an interview with a talented baker, Ms. Adrina Agus Din.

SR: Can you please tell us about yourself?

A: I teach English at a local secondary school. My job is incredibly rewarding and lots of fun! My husband and I live in a cosy apartment very close to Bandar. We have four beautiful cats. My husband and I share the love for cooking. He makes amazing dinners and I provide delicious desserts! Besides baking, my hobbies include writing short stories, painting with acrylics, reading and boxing.

SR: What can you bake?

A: I try and challenge myself with different recipes so the list is growing. Normally, I do a lot of research to perfect a particular recipe, once I find a good balance, the recipe goes in a file and used over and over again!

SR: Why did you take up baking as a hobby?

A: Everything about baking is relaxing to me. There is something very therapeutic about squishing butter into flour, creaming eggs with sugar and measuring out each ingredient to make something so yummy!

The heavenly smells that fills in flat and the smiles of people’s faces taking the first bite, it’s a great hobby!

SR: Who influenced you to start baking?

A: My husband actually. He is very passionate about food and he's also an amazing cook!

SR: What is your specialty?

A: I specialise in making cupcakes but I am also trying out cookies and other desserts.

SR: What do you do to improve your skills? Do you read books, surf the Internet?

A: I am constantly trying something new, I read a lot of recipe books and also recipes on the net. I talk to friends and family about something new to try and I get inspired by what I see and read. When I studied in London two years ago, I took a few cake decorating classes which were a lot of fun!

SR: What equipment do beginners need if they want to learn baking?

A: A good oven, measuring cups and spoons, loads of mixing bowls and a good kitchen scale.

SR: What recipe would you recommend for someone who's just starting to bake?

A: Start with something simple and quick like cupcakes or cookies. The internet is a treasure trove of recipes.

SR: Final question, any advice for SMR students who want to start baking as a hobby?

A: Don't be disappointed if what you've baked doesn't come out perfect. It's a learning process. There has been countless times when my cakes collapsed or tasted absolutely horrible. Just keep trying and good luck!

SR: Thank you so much for your contribution to SMR Reads.

A: You are welcome.