Originally from India, Pooja grew up in a home where food was the language of love. Surrounded by homemade flavours, festival sweets, and the warmth of family kitchens, her passion for desserts started early. Inspired by MasterChef and the artistry of pastry legends like Adriano Zumbo, she discovered her calling: creating desserts that spark joy. Today, that childhood fascination has transformed into a professional career in pastry.

Pooja is the founder of Pastels, a boutique dessert brand specialising in elegant custom cakes, cupcakes, macarons, cookies, and curated dessert tables. Pastels blend classic, comforting flavours with fresh seasonal menus and Indian-inspired infusions such as chai, cardamom, saffron, and coconut. Every creation is made with care, crafted to become a memorable part of someone’s celebration. At its core, Pastels is built on the belief that everyone deserves dessert—beautiful, flavourful, and tailored to their lifestyle.

Pooja joined the Kitchen Project to strengthen the business foundations behind her creative work. While the kitchen is her comfort zone, she wanted expert support with costing, pricing, compliance, and systems—everything necessary to build a sustainable food business. The program offered her the guidance, clarity, and community she needed to grow confidently.

Her journey with the Kitchen Project has been transformative. The sessions are practical, insightful, and immediately applicable. Guest speakers, one-on-one mentoring, and a deeply supportive team have become key highlights. With their guidance, she has gained a solid understanding of business essentials—from packaging choices and regulations to profitability and numbers—making the program a true backbone for her growth.

In the next five years, she envisions Pastels evolving into a boutique studio and café: a pastel-themed space where guests can walk in for thoughtfully crafted treats, place custom orders, and enjoy seasonal menus. She aims to expand into dessert tables, wedding cakes, and corporate gifting, building a brand recognised for its clean aesthetics, flavour balance, and unwavering reliability. Her vision is a warm, creative, sustainable dessert business known for quality, care, and memorable experiences.