Raheem’s journey from a passionate home cook to a baking champion.
Hannover, Germany
Raheem Haidar’s feature at Chickatita Channel
The journey of passion often begins in the heart of one’s home, and for Raheem, it was the kitchen that ignited his fervor. His love for all things culinary was not confined to the traditional dishes of his homeland; instead, it extended to an insatiable curiosity to explore and learn new culinary horizons.
It was during a special occasion in February 2020 that Raheem’s culinary story took an unexpected turn. He had ordered a cake from a local bakery in Hannover, Germany, to celebrate the occasion, only to find himself less than 100% satisfied with both the taste and appearance of the confection. That moment of dissatisfaction birthed a determination within him: he decided that from that day forward, he would be the one to bake the cakes for his family.
In April 2020, he officially started his culinary adventure, sharing his creations on Instagram, where he showcased his delectable food and cakes.
With his girlfriend by his side as his number one fan and a constant source of inspiration, Raheem honed his baking skills. His guiding principle became clear: if his girlfriend loved a cake he baked, he was confident others would appreciate it too.
As the duo indulged in their passion for baking, they stumbled upon the German baking competition show, “Das Große Backen” (The Great Bake Off). A dream began to form within Raheem; he expressed his desire to someday participate in the competition. Unbeknownst to him, his girlfriend took it upon herself to make that dream a reality. On Christmas Day, she surprised Raheem with a unique gift—an application to join the show.
L-R: Rhea Topacio (Ubeness), Katrina (Raheem’s girlfriend)
A year later, the unexpected happened. Raheem received the call he had never anticipated, inviting him to participate in the contest if he could make the time. Despite the tight schedule between his full-time job and preparing for the competition, Raheem accepted the challenge wholeheartedly.
His goal was not solely to win the competition but to showcase the diversity of flavors and techniques in the world of baking. Raheem embraced the challenge and showcased exotic tastes like Mango and Ube. It was his unique creations that piqued the interest of the judges. At the final showdown, he left them in awe with his two-tiered cake—a combination of carrot cake with ube filling and matcha cake with khaki-pistachio filling. The judges not only praised the flavors but were captivated by the presentation as well.
L-R: Raheem Haidar, Rhea Topacio (Chickatita Channel)
For Raheem, the journey of taste and discovery had one particular highlight—Ube, a delightful ingredient from the Philippines. His first encounter with Ube was a sweet treat known as Ube Polvoron from Goldilocks, and it quickly became his favorite. The unique flavor reminded him of something dear to his homeland, a sensation he struggled to put into words. Since then, he has been grateful when friends bring him Ube from the Philippines, and he recommends it to everybody to try.
Raheem’s culinary creations are infused with love and a sense of nostalgia, evoking heartwarming feelings. Through his baking, he aspires to share that love with everyone who tastes his creations. His workshops have become a platform for introducing others to not only Ube but also other incredible flavors like coconut and jackfruit.
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Tip! Our flavorings are highly concentrated, enjoy more by shaking them before use and storing them at normal room temperature. (Do not store in a refrigerator nor in a cold place. )
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