Vibha Mankani

Vibha Mankani, From Scratch – Home Baker KL

Vibha Mankani

In this interview, Vibha Mankani shares how she first started From Scratch and some fun stories behind the scenes.

What do you do and how did you get into the industry?

I have dabbled with a few professions but I am currently a housewife and home baker. For now, my days revolve around my family and baking.

I started experimenting with bread when my husband, who can eat bread 24/7 by the way, brought home a bread maker one fine day. I tried a few recipes a couple of times but I just wasn’t happy with the results, so I decided to make it by hand. I went on to try all kinds of recipes, reading and tweaking on repeat. My family would ask for something and I’d oblige of course! I shared a few photos with my friends, and one of them tried my bakes. She kept on repeating that my bakes should be advertised and sold. Another friend was my chief logo maker and had one designed for me. And yet another kept showing me drool-worthy bread photos and challenging me to come up with something even better. It took a lot of support and persuading from family and friends and eventually From Scratch was born.

What’s a food memory from your childhood or travels that stands out?

Australia stands out vividly in my mind. It was my very first “big trip“ and I loved the food! It was all about the pies. I wanted to try every type in every city I visited and it always came with their famous wedges. I couldn’t get enough of them.

What’s the best/ worst part of your job?

Of course, the best part is when I get great feedback and compliments from a customer. The worst part is the long nights of baking knowing I won’t get any sleep and cleaning up all that flour from all over my kitchen countertop and floor!

What’s your favourite food and beverage pairing?

One can never go wrong with some tapas, strong cheese and a glass of ice-cold flavoured gin.

What’s one of the funniest things you’ve seen behind the scenes?

Well, I had some bread orders and this particular recipe needed the dough to be proofed in an unheated oven. I was sure I checked that my oven temperature was set to zero and left my dough to rise, only to find out after my timer buzzed that the oven temperature knob was slightly turned on and my dough was ruined!! I was really upset as I had to redo the entire batch and my girls wanted to know why I was in tears. I told them what happened and my kids, with their wild imagination, came up with brilliant stories of who could have sabotaged my dough. Their stories were so far fetched, I just had to laugh.

The perfect day off would be…

A full 24 hours just to myself would be heaven. I would catch up on my sleep or curl up in a corner with a hot cuppa and read a book or two, maybe three.

A day in the life of a Vibha Mankani is…

…. never enough hours and never a dull moment!

What do you do for fun?

I always enjoy a good dinner with my girlfriends, trying out new restaurants and the never-ending catching up.

What’s something you’d like guests to know about From Scratch?

I bake from the heart. I may bake the simplest baked goods, but I don’t ever compromise on ingredients. I use premium quality ingredients (organic if required) for each bake and I make sure every order is perfect before it leaves my kitchen.

What’s something you’d like people to know about being a home baker?

Home bakers don’t have the resources big kitchens do. We bake in our tiny ovens, with our limited spaces and tools. I don’t even own a mixer so I knead all my bread dough by hand! A home baker is not paid for their long hours in the kitchen, so each home baker has to have dedication and passion for what they do.

What’s your view on the home baking scene in KL?

Currently, it’s a big opportunity and a booming business for many. Yes, there are many bakers around but the demand is always there. As long your baked goods taste good — it will be appreciated.

What’s in store for you in the upcoming months?

I just want to continue baking and coming up with new ideas to keep my menu exciting. I’m looking forward to delivering my baked goods to everyone!

Find more interviews similar to this one with Vibha Mankani here. And, stay up to date with the latest food and beverage happenings in KL here.

3 Comments

  1. Lots of people doing it at home these days – one in my blogpost today.

  2. Can I have the website or link to order?

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