I am Tinotenda Tuwe (the first of my name lol). The owner and head baker at Kravings Baking. I am a highly passionate person and I make sure my work is evidence of that. Failure freaks me out, I fear being average and mediocre in an element of my life.
Where did your passion for baking come from?
I started baking when I was in Grade 5. I still remember vividly the feelings I got when I saw my mom in the kitchen. Oh, she was amazing! I was so fascinated by all the delicious sweet somethings she made for the family, I just wanted to do the same – I wanted to be like her. Everyone loved her baking.
What would you say sets you apart from other bakers?
Everything I bake is baked with the utmost love and detail. My business is centred around the client and their needs or what I would call their “baking fantasy”. All my baked goods are modern and trendy and come in great packages. You are sure to fall in love after the first bite.
Apart from baking what else do you do?
Hmmm..I have a 9-5 in administration and soon I will be enrolling for my Bachelor’s degree in International Business.
What inspires your work and how do you know when what you have made has “that thing”?
I guess my brand itself is inspiration. I know what it is worth, and I know what it should be associated with, so I want to constantly match the brand and I am always pushed towards that. Every single order is different, and I try to push the boundaries as much as possible. I sometimes have this tingly feeling in my tummy and I can’t stop dancing in the kitchen – this is to say the cake is ready lol
Of all the cakes you have ever made which one is your favourite?
Hmmm… this is a difficult one. I love every single one of my cakes because they are so different so it’s hard to then pick the best but let me give you my top 4.
At what capacity, do you bake, as hobby or as a profession?
It’s definitely not a hobby anymore – so I guess I could call it my profession but it’s such a scary word to use because it has some limiting connotations – like I have reached the peak of my baking. Let me just call myself an ever-evolving semi-professional
What is the most important thing you consider when baking?
The client’s ‘baking fantasy’ – it’s all about the client and what they want to see and what they want to taste.
Who are your favourite chefs and why them?
I absolutely love Dominique Ansel, Buddy the Cake Boss, Nigella, Jamie Oliver and Rachel Ray. They are all so different but one thing they have in common is that they all love to have fun with food. They shun away from stereotypical food and they are not afraid to play on the edge. I love to see something different and unique. Food mustn’t be boring.
If you could give something up for a year what would it be and why?
Procrastination – goodness. I’m pretty sure I would be able to smash all my goals if this little fellow was put to sleep for a bit.
What is the one thing you can’t live without?
I can’t live without a good book. I am an avid reader, so I cherish and treasure my books tremendously. I like to escape into another world when the baking life gets a bit hectic.
Given the chance who in the world would you want to bake for?
Hmmm… wow. I think I would love to bake for Michelle Obama, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Robert Kiyosaki (so he can invest in Kravings Baking) – then we can have a little tea party/ book discussion.
What would you make for them?
I would make my very delicious vanilla yoghurt choc-coconut cupcakes and a decadent Death by Chocolate, caramel frosted cake.
How would you like to be remembered?
I want to be the mogul who revolutionised the food, in particular baking industry in Zimbabwe. I want to be the woman who changed the way Zimbabweans make, eat and enjoy cakes.
What are you most fond of about being Zimbabwean?
The in-built strength and humour. Zimbabweans can survive and conquer anything, and I mean ANYTHING! We have also mastered the art of laughing to make life a little more bearable.
How can people get in touch with you?
You can follow Kravings Baking on social media:
Facebook – Kravings Baking
Instagram – @kravingsbaking
Or
Call on 0777464338
Whatsapp on 0782794025
