Bakerella – A Mother’s Gift to Her Children

The Pilmico Research and Training Bakery (PRTB) introduced its bakery management training in the beginning of 2013. One of the first to enroll was Thet Barsamira – a doting mom who loves to bake sweets for her three children.

What started out as a hobby for Thet, soon turned into a homebaking business that caters to various coffee shops and top groceries in the country.

“Hilig ko lang talaga yung mag-bake para sa mga anak ko. Simple lang, mga cookies and cakes. On my way to work, nakita ko na may Bakery Management Training sa Pilmico. Natuwa ako kasi naisip ko at that time, ‘baka ito na yun‘, kaya nag-enroll ako agad,” Thet shared.

During the 6-day training led by Chef Cynthia, Thet found out that baking isn’t just about mixing dry with wet ingredients. She learned that baking is a science which you truly have to understand and master.

After various trainings coupled with words of encouragement from her family and peers, Thet finally decided to be a full-time baker. She left a stable 8am – 5pm job and ventured in homebaking. And thus, Bakerella was born.

With her innate passion for baking and determination to succeed for her children, Bakerella was able to generate partnerships with local coffee shops and groceries. Bo’s Coffee, Bean Leaf, Shopwise and Rustan’s groceries are among her top clients. Her success, Thet affirms, is largely because of the training she got from Pilmico.

“Sa Pilmico kasi hindi ka lang tinuturuan mag-bake. Kumpleto siya. Naalala ko sa first training ko, itinuro pa sa amin kung saan nanggagaling ang flour. So from the wheat grain to baking a cake. Hindi lang talaga yung baking techniques. Bukod pa sa mismong baking, tinuturuan din kaming maging magaling na negosyante. Mula sa pag apply ng permit sa munisipyo hanggang sa paghanap ng cliente – talagang kumpleto ang itinuro sa amin.”

Ever since launching her business in November 2013, Thet has been attending various baking classes to hone and develop her craft. But, she always goes back to what she learned from Chef Cynthia and her training days at PRTB.

“Iba pa din ang tulong ng Pilmico sa akin. Naturuan akong mag-bake, magtayo ng negosyo at makakuha ng mga cliente. I also like how they make you feel special. Na-appreciate ko talaga yung turing ng mga tao sa akin na parang hindi iba sa kanila. Isa ako sa pinaka unang estudyante nila pero kahit 3 taon na halos ang nakalipas, kinakamusta parin nila ako at tinatanong kung may kailangan akong assistance.”

In the next five years, Thet dreams of putting up a coffee shop alongside her growing homebaking business. The coffee shop will of course serve the tasty treats Bakerella is known for.

“Bukod sa hilig ko talaga ang pag-bake, gusto kong mapalago yung business ko kasi ayaw kong maging empleyado lang yung mga anak ko pagtapos nila magaral. Para sa kanila ang lahat nang ‘to.”

Bakerella is Thet. Thet is Bakerella. Bakerella is her children.