2020 brought more than Covid-19. It also brought more time in the kitchen. More people than ever were baking bread, cakes, and cookies to satisfy their cravings for both a wholesome hobby and some sweet homemade treats. This was true in Singapore, where a home baking boom led to shortages of key items like flour and yeast. Of course, not everyone picked up baking during the pandemic. Singapore has a long history of bakers running Home-Based Businesses (HBB) and selling pineapple tarts, almond cookies, and other goodies to their neighbors, relatives, and colleagues. In this episode we hear from three different home-based bakers. We hear about how these businesses run by women provide an outlet for their inspiration and bring in much-needed income. We hear how they have operated amid the pandemic, including how two of the owners actually took advantage of the early lockdown period in Singapore to test recipes and launch their companies. Indeed, Covid-19 has provided an opportunity for these home-based bakers to move from hobby to business.
Sound effects from freesound.org. Music from audioblocks.com.
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Additional Links about Home-Baking and Covid-19:
– Guidelines from the Housing Development Board on home-based businesses:
https://www.hdb.gov.sg/residential/living-in-an-hdb-flat/home-business/homebased-small-scale-business-scheme
News about Circuit Breaker impacts on home-based businesses:
– “Coronavirus: Home bakers cannot operate under circuit breaker rules”
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/home-bakers-cannot-operate-under-circuit-breaker-rules
– “Home-based food businesses can resume operations from May 12 with strict measures in place”:
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/home-based-food-businesses-restrictions-lifted-may-12-covid-19-12696528
– “Where has all the flour gone? Shops struggle to restock fast enough amid circuit breaker baking frenzy”:
https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/where-has-all-the-flour-gone
– “Home-based businesses allowed to resume, but bakers find ingredients in short supply”:
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/home-based-businesses-allowed-resume-now-bakers-find-ingredients-are-short-supply
– “Amid COVID-19 challenges, the rise of home baking helps Phoon Huat to whisk up expansion plans”:
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-home-baking-phoon-huat-new-stores-13986300
Baker links:
– Kneadedbyhan:
Instagram account (@kneadedbyhan): https://www.instagram.com/kneadedbyhan/?hl=en
– Bakeriz:
Website: https://bakeriz.wixsite.com/bakeriz
Facebook account (@its.bakeriz): https://bakeriz.wixsite.com/bakeriz
Instagram account (@bake.riz): https://www.instagram.com/bake.riz/?hl=en
Email: bakeriz.sg@gmail.com
– Riz conducting a baking session at NTU
– A past photo of Umairah’s family engaging in home baking treats
– Empty jars for sale at grocery marts, ready to be filled with treats!
– Some of the snacks prepared by Umairah’s Mom and Dad
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