MY MOUTH waters and my stomach rumbles every time Leny's cakes flash on my Facebook (FB) newsfeed. I often wonder how on earth she finds the time and the energy to be both fulltime banker and baker.
On top of that, how the heck does this pretty girl not get fat with all those tempting chocolates and delectable goodies? She has the brain for math, mad cooking skills, artistic flair, and a metabolism to die for. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Life is just not fair!
Leny Grace Araneta-Supe’s day job is a service officer in BDO, Carmen Branch. A graduate of Computer Engineering from St. La Salle, Bacolod, this Ilongga transferred to Cagayan de Oro in year 2007. She and her husband Ron assumed his brother’s business in the city because the latter departed for Canada. Len has been working for BDO for almost 15 years.
I asked if it was toxic working with numbers, she cheerily replies that it is not. Her co-workers make her days fun.
In addition, “Numbers in the bank consists of mostly 1-100, and then you have bill counters to help recount the bundles. But in handling money, you have to be alert with the risks that come with it.”
Leny works hard for her family. She is a hands-on mom to two rambunctious boys who are always hungry. She narrated that she started her baking adventure because they asked her to make them something.
“You know how as moms, it is hard to refuse our kids. It started with pancakes and cookies. In fact, I began using boxed mixes and I just followed whatever the instructions are on the box. But I noticed, after awhile, that I really began to enjoy the craft. Baking gives me a sense of joy and fills my heart with passion. I then decided to take one-day courses at Monster Kitchen.”
Her Aunt noticed that she was so happy with her new found talent so she decided to give Leny her own prized chocolate cake recipe.
Unfortunately, since Leny has no formal education then as a pastry chef, she made a severe mistake by misusing the measuring cups. However, the signature chocolate cake turned out super moist and scrumptious. I noted that it must have been some sort of a happy accident. She responded, in a way, yes but it was more of a blessing in disguise.
Then Leny bashfully shares she does not believe in accidents. She believes that things always happen for a reason. People are always led by some higher power where they are meant to be. To this date, it is still the same “mistake” recipe that she uses as the base for all her chocolate cake orders. And people can’t get enough of it!
Because she enjoys sharing her calories to her workmates, she brought home baked creations for them to try. They loved it so much and kept on asking for more.
“One of my officemates commissioned me to bake a cake for her mom’s birthday. And then later on, another one asked me again. And then again! Orders just kept pouring in because all my friends helped spread by word of mouth. I even ended up supplying chocolate cake and mango cheesecake for Mango Mania.”
It was at this point that Leny decided to take her formal education in baking at the Monster Kitchen. It was a professional baking course that spanned six months. She took classes on her days off.
“It was hard, only because I wanted to spend time with my boys too. But they (her husband Ron and 2 kids) encouraged me and were so supportive. They still are, because they know baking gives me pure joy.”
She points out that she likes it very much when people compliment her on the taste of her goodies as well as on the aesthetics. “It always feels good when we are able to make others feel good with our work. I always keep in mind that they trusted me on their special days. I always strive hard to do my best so I won’t let them down. Seeing their smiles at the events, well, this just inspires me to be better.”
Leny emphasized that if people really love what they are doing, they will always find the time to do it. They’ll find ways (the BDO motto)! Thus, even if she is a fulltime banking employee, she still pushes forth to fulfill all her baking commitments.
“It is especially hard during holidays when I have several orders all at the same time. That’s why I assess before I commit to each order. I need to balance the time and the number of cakes. If I feel like I cannot handle it, I will ask if they are willing to negotiate the date of delivery. I don’t always say no immediately. But I will, if I feel like the quality of my cakes will suffer.”
Her most popular and sellable creation is her chocolate cake. The starting price of an 8x4 cake is 900, made with premium chocolate and top quality ingredients.
“I never scrimp on that. I will destroy my name if I do!” She also makes cake pops, decorated sugar cookies, tiered fondant wedding cakes, and more. She is also a master of making dessert buffets.
In fact, several of her creations have been featured in several international websites. That is not surprising because her cakes do not only look good, but they taste delicious too (I swear once you try a bite, you can’t stop).
To view her work, please check and like her FB Page: . For bookings and inquiries call Leny at 0928-756-6178
Banking and baking may seem worlds apart, but this persistent, hardworking, passionate chef and banker proves that chocolate and math can definitely mix!
