Eat On The Pink Side
12 Jan

My sweet tooth’s telling me it’s been a while since we had something on dessert. Meet Darna Aminuddin, the gorgeous producer-turned-founder of Pinkies Cupcakes…
Pictures courtesy of Pinkies Cupcakes.
From film to fondant – I’m guessing there’s a very interesting story here. How did you start out?
I was in the Television Commercial industry for 8 years, but I’ve always loved cupcakes – eating them and baking them! In the beginning it was always a way to de-stress but I started to think that if I ever retired from the Commercial industry this would be something I’d definitely want to do. And so it got to a point where the industry was really tiring me out and I decided to leave. and I guess I left my first love – film – to pursue my second love – food!

Tell us more about your products and services. Do you specialize in smaller events or would you also work on a larger scale?
We make cupcakes for any occasion from personal consumption to baby showers, parties and specialty themes like Halloween and Christmas. At the moment we’re concentrating on smaller events, though I do have my sister Nada on board as a creative consultant and taste tester. I would love to work on big events such as weddings but I’m going to take it one step at a time and hopefully, I will get round to that. Engagements and hen nights are a sure thing, though.

Pinkies Cupcakes has earned a lot of good reviews – and having personally tasted them myself, I say you deserve them. What are you doing different?
I guess you might say for me, taste is more important than anything. I’d rather have a delicious-tasting cupcake than one that’s so lavishly decorated. I’m much more a substance over style kind of person, which is why my decor is a little more simplified compared to some of the cupcakes out there. I always worry that too much decorating will take attention away from the taste. Also, we only use fresh, top-quality ingredients and most of them are imported as well. I don’t use any preservatives and my fondant decor is painstakingly, but lovingly handmade.

What’s the best part of your job?
Working from home! My previous job had a lot of late nights and it’s no different with baking when you have a tonne of orders, but at least I don’t have to worry about coming home late at night, driving by myself, worrying that some nut job is going to tail my car. Also, I work on my own schedule, which leaves me more time to do my personal things (I haven’t been able to do that in 8 years so it’s good to catch up!). But the best part for me is that if I get too tired and need a bit of a rest – I actually can get it.

Words from the wise for our brides-to-be?
“You is kind. You is smart. You is important” – Aibileen Clark, The Help. I guess that’s the best advice that comes to mind from someone who has yet to unleash her inner Bride-zilla! :) (more…)

































