It was one of those golden Calcutta evenings where the world felt a little softer. I stepped into Caara, a new café with louvered windows, pastel walls, and a kind of quiet elegance that invites you to sit down and stay awhile. I had a feeling this conversation would be special.
And then Simran arrived.
She entered gently, her presence calm and composed. Within moments, it felt like we’d known each other for years. The conversation unfolded effortlessly—about food, faith, family, the delicate art of baking, and the often unseen strength it takes to follow one’s own rhythm in a world that moves too fast.
Simran Gulati Seth is the founder of Baked by Sim, a deeply personal baking venture she started in 2018. She grew up in Calcutta, studied at Modern High School, and went on to pursue a BBA in Marketing at St. Xavier’s College. Like many of us, she once followed the expected steps—she even gave the GMAT—but something quieter, more soulful, called her in another direction.
Her journey began at just 13 or 14, when she joined the legendary Mrs. Alim’s Cooking Classes—a name that still holds nostalgic power in many Calcutta homes. For decades, women from every corner of the city learned their way around a kitchen through Mrs. Alim. And Simran was among them, young and wide-eyed, unknowingly setting the foundation for a future built on flour and feeling.
She went on to win a school MasterChef competition that cemented her passion for food. But it was at Lavonne Academy in Bangalore, one of India’s premier patisserie schools, where her raw passion transformed into practiced craft. That’s when Baked by Sim was born—not with fanfare, but with focus.
What makes Simran's story quietly extraordinary is how self-made it truly is. She is a one-woman army. From baking to packaging, from managing orders to managing her social media—every element carries her touch. When she handed me a box of cookies that evening—thoughtfully packed in a simple, eco-friendly brown box—I knew I was holding something more than just dessert. It felt like a piece of her heart.
Her philosophy is simple, but profound: the energy you carry while baking finds its way into the food. If you’re tense, it shows. If you’re joyful, it glows. Her cookies—soft, balanced, perfectly textured—were baked with love, and you could taste that tenderness in every bite.
Of course, there are slow days. Every small business has them. But instead of retreating, Simran uses those moments to give back—through workshops, where she teaches others the magic of baking, and through quiet reflection that keeps her connected to her ‘why’. Then come the high seasons—from August through December—when her kitchen fills with late-night bakes, handwritten notes, and cakes that travel across India.
And in the middle of all this, what grounds her is something deeply personal—her family. They are her backbone- whenever she’s around them, everything feels complete. That, to her, is happiness.
Simran dreams not of empires or chains, but of a single, beautiful café. A space filled with rustic charm, fresh flowers, old-world stillness. A place where someone can walk in and feel like they’re home.Just peace. Just presence.
Spiritual at heart, she believes in karma, in energy, in kindness. She believes that what you give to the world comes back—not always immediately, but always in time. And perhaps that’s what makes her food so comforting—it’s not just technically flawless, it’s emotionally present. You feel seen when you eat something she’s made.
Spending that evening with Simran reminded me of how powerful it is to build quietly, honestly, and with soul. In a world chasing loudness, she stands as proof that you can rise with softness. That you can do it alone—and do it beautifully.
To every woman waiting for the perfect moment, or fearing the unknown—Simran’s story is a reminder that sometimes all you need is a little courage, your own two hands, and the willingness to begin.
Because sometimes, butter, sugar, and solitude are enough to change your life.