Sugar Talks with Sargam

We have always been fascinated by stories at One Nought One One. This time around, we decided to share those stories with you as #1011records!

It takes immense courage to break stereotypes, smash norms and stand out. Through our journey, we have met several people who stand out for a statement they said, a trip they took, an animal they rescued, a book they read, or an accessory they wore. They have stood out for their journey, for their story. And we wish to record and share their bold and spirited stories through our jewelry.

If a free-spirited ball of sunshine that flows over you like a breeze had a face, that would be Sargam Manjawala Thakkar for us. With extensive experience in the realm of Indian Textiles and a hand for making luscious and decadent pastries that have been polished over the years, Sargam now dives deep into the world of baking, crafting healthier versions of delicious treats, and crafting her own line of Kombucha from her studio in Ahmedabad. Do you know what really rocks her world? Seeing people’s faces light up with pure bliss as they sink their teeth into her mind-blowing baked goodies! Sargam spills the beans on her awesome career, finding new passions, foodie adventures, her hometown vibes, pondering the meaning of life, and so much more! You don’t wanna miss this, folks!

1. What did growing up in Mumbai mean to you?

It was a very fast-paced life, and it was really nice. I feel the kind of command over language that I got over there, would not have happened if I’d grown up somewhere else. I can fluently communicate in four languages, I feel it’s because of the ever-happening city. Apart from that, I feel ‘’Bombay is Bombay yaar, it’s a whole different feeling.’’ It makes you value time, people, and everything. The sheer scale of development that has happened in Bombay just hits you in the face like a boulder now, it’s sort of overwhelming.

2. You had not received proper training in culinary arts. How did you begin doing it?

Yeah, so baking started for me out of boredom, and also for the lack of good desserts in the city. I grew up in Bombay, and I’ve been to Bangalore, so I moved around a bit in Ahmedabad at the time when I moved back in 2012, there weren’t many exciting places. So I started to learn on my own, my friends told me that I should start selling, but I wasn’t sure, because I didn’t really know how to make a business about it. So I did attend a two-month long course to learn how this is done, and following that I started to experiment and had a few recipes that kept tweaking to work to the taste I wanted it to have, so that’s pretty much how I started!

Sargam in our Daisy Band Ring

5. You’ve pursued Textile Designing for more than a decade, and then you found your calling for food and now you’re a baker. How did that go?

Right now, I’m very happy doing what I’m doing with regard to food & beverage. Baking cakes and desserts, that sort of brings smiles on people’s faces, so it’s instant gratification but internally I do wonder if I want to do it forever, because it is a tiring thing you know, to be on your feet all day and to frost cakes. So I am delighted doing what I’m doing, but I’m also wondering what else is there to life, that could be even more fulfilling?’’

6. What’s your current motto in life?

‘’Slow and Easy’’

3. Do you travel often?

I travel twice a year for sure, In the month of April when it’s my anniversary, and in the month of November when it’s my and my husband’s birthday. We’re just two days apart so it’s a pretty elongated blast!

4. You’d been to Goa recently, what was that like?

A couple of friends and I had gone to Goa at the end of November, and we had signed up for a Feni tasting session. It was like this table of 11 people who had come from all over, and we had a tasting session in the middle of a pond. There were fishes eating at our skin while our feet were dipped in the pond and we drank a lot of Feni, which is a Cashew based cocktail and it was a very happy afternoon.

5. You’ve pursued Textile Designing for more than a decade, and then you found your calling for food and now you’re a baker. How did that go?

The shift happened with me in 2018 while working with craftsmen on a project, where their lack of commitment towards work and timelines took a toll on my mental peace, which is when I decided to take a step back and concentrate on what was truly giving me joy, that was baking.
Right now, I’m very happy doing what I’m doing with regard to food & beverage. Baking cakes and desserts, that sort of brings smiles on people’s faces, so it’s instant gratification but internally I do wonder if I want to do it forever, because it is a tiring thing you know, to be on your feet all day and to frost cakes. So I am delighted doing what I’m doing, but I’m also wondering what else is there to life, that could be even more fulfilling?’’

6. What’s your current motto in life?

‘’Slow and Easy’’

Sargam in our Areille Hoops

Sargam in our Rosalia Earrings

7. How would you describe your style?

I would say it’s very easy and breezy, a mix and match of things that are in my comfort. It’s quirky and cute, and I’m not really keen on following trends simply because they’re in fashion, I believe in wearing what looks good on you as an individual. Certain styles flatter a few people and certain styles don’t, and that’s okay. I’ve seen people wear distasteful clothing with confidence, and I try not to be in that category, haha!

8. What’s your favorite piece from 1011?

I have the Sexy Triangles from 1011 that Pooja Mathur has also bought from you, I like that they’re really long and sharp, it makes them look really pretty!

9. How does owning a business feel now, compared to working a 9-5?

It feels extremely empowering, because I have everything in my hands, so I can choose to show up and work for as long as I want to, but yeah that’s not the most ideal thing one should be doing, one has to consistently show up and do the work, that’s the only way to sustain a business well. But, it does give you the freedom to go easy on yourself and at the same time you are extremely more responsible because you are the one running the show, so one has to take charge in so many aspects. You’ve to manage your staff, accounts, logistics, stock checking and so much more.

Both have their pros and cons; Sometimes I do miss the salary that used to come in every month, I mean that used to be amazing, hehe! But at the end of the day, it is gratifying when somebody comes up to you and tells you that your cake made their birthday memorable. I think you have way more power in running a business.

10. What are you currently binge-watching?

I just finished watching Cleopatra this afternoon. on Netflix. I love the jewelry that the protagonist was wearing in it, it was beautiful.

11. What’s something you appreciate about Ahmedabad that you did not get in Mumbai?

I’m very grateful to Ahmedabad because it offers you a very good quality of life. Someone earning a certain amount in Ahmedabad will have a much better quality of life than someone earning the same in Mumbai in terms of food, rent, and travel. I’m very grateful that I get to live a slightly slower life. But I could do with a bit more professionalism here, haha!

Sargam in our Rosalia Earrings

13. What are the weirdest cake requests you’ve got?

I haven’t made this cake actually, but somebody reached out to me asking me for a chocolate and watermelon cake. Very wild and very strange. It’s watery, how do I put it in a cake! I proposed that I could make a watermelon jelly and put it inside the chocolate layer, but then of course, since it would have taken a lot of time and effort from my side, I quoted a price, something on the higher side and the client did not wish to spend as much for the cake. Somebody also asked me to make a cake for a bachelorette, and you know how the deal is XD so I told them this was beyond my skill and I myself would be beyond embarrassed to do it, hahaha!

14. What are a few places that you’d recommend to people who love a sweet dish to devour?

Those who live in Ahmedabad should absolutely try Champa Ji’s Gulabjamun at Paldi Char Rasta &Dakshinayan’s Rava Kesari. The Japanese Cheesecake at Breadtalk GK Delhi is a must-have. If you’re from Mumbai, All the desserts at Oven Fresh will steal your heart!

Sargam in our Daisy Band Ring Sargam in our Areille Hoops

Shots clicked by – Hunny Awatramani
@hunnyawatramani

Location – Flour Power Studio, Ahmedabad
@flourpower.love

Interview & Blog by – Pranitha Lekkala
@prawntart

Kudos and Loads of Love to Sargam for having a chat with us and treating us to her decadent culinary creations :3

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