From sourdough loaves and teatime treats to fancy cakes, this sweet gem has captured the hearts of local residents.
Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, founder Gillian Beh said she chose this unassuming neighbourhood for her baking adventure because she wanted to create something more than just a bakery.
“I wanted The Baking Trip to become a part of a community, and to create a genuine connection with my customers,” she said, adding that her customers are mostly senior citizens who are long-time residents of the neighbourhood.
“When they came over to the bakery and tried our bread, the next day they came back with their neighbours, family, and word just spread. In fact, we’re actually friends with most of our regular customers!”
While they have a physical presence today, The Baking Trip started as an online venture in 2015, with Beh selling her baked treats at university bazaars. Soon she had a string of loyal customers.
One particular customer stood out, regularly ordering her cakes to celebrate special occasions for seven years.
“Recently, we had the honour of creating her wedding cake! We’ve grown together, sharing life’s milestones, and she’s witnessed our humble online business evolve into what it is today,” shared Beh.
Beh and her team draw inspiration for their baked goods from their adventures around the world, bringing a taste of global flavours to their local neighbourhood.
“My boyfriend and I love travelling and experiencing different baked goods across the world. So, we thought, even if we can’t take our customers on our global food adventures, we can bring a taste of our experiences right to their doorstep,” she said
Hence the name ‘The Baking Trip’ — an imaginative escape where locals can embark on a culinary trip without ever leaving their home.
Eating their way through their travels, they took a particular liking to sourdough bread, mastering the baking technique of this bread from a seasoned artisan in Thailand.
And recently, they returned from a holiday to Italy brimming with fresh ideas for new sourdough bread offerings.
Interestingly, while Beh has learned from culinary masters, she started as a self-taught enthusiast, copying the notes of friends taking culinary courses at her university, and experimenting with their recipes later.
Despite the perception of baking as a simple hobby, Beh said that it was in fact challenging. “When I was running The Baking Trip by myself in the small condominium, it was very tough and stressful,” she revealed.
So, she roped in others, her photographer boyfriend being the first. Under her expert guidance, he mastered the art of sourdough baking so quickly, he’s the main baker now. Later, her sister joined the team to create the bakery’s cakes and pastries.
“It’s definitely more fun now, since I have people to talk to while working,” she said with a chuckle.
Nevertheless, running a bakery requires long hours in the kitchen. The process of creating their bread, from fermenting to proofing takes over 24 hours, so they’re up before dawn.
“We go to sleep around midnight and wake up at 5am, so it’s definitely not easy,” Beh said.
Among the crowd favourites, apart from their sourdough bread, are the blueberry raisin cream cheese rye, and the cream cheese cheddar boule, both original creations.
Even for those unaccustomed to artisanal bread, they’ll be delighted to discover that each slice stands on its own, bursting with flavour, whether adorned with blueberries or cream cheese. No accompaniments needed, as every bite is a delicious experience in itself.
The Baking Trip
A6, Jalan Rukun 7
Happy Garden (Taman Gembira)
58200 Kuala Lumpur
Business hours: 9.00am-6.00pm: Wednesday-Sunday
Contact: 019-576-1419
The Baking Trip’s team accepts orders on Instagram.