In the heart of Pelawatte, Battaramulla, near the Parliament, stands a cake shop that promises more than just sweet delights. Sugar Frill Cake Shop, the brainchild of Orancy Siriwardana, is a testament to creativity, passion, and non-conformity. Chic and smart, Orancy believes her business transcends the ordinary, necessitating a touch of creative genius.
Orancy’s journey with cakes began when she was just fifteen, guided by her sister. Despite not excelling in Domestic Science at St. Paul’s Kelaniya, her love for cake making and decorating flourished. It was a hobby that blossomed into a profession, driven by her imagination and desire to explore new and decorative designs. To hone her skills, Orancy studied under five different teachers, ensuring she was always infused with fresh ideas and techniques.
“I started cake making as a hobby when I was just around fifteen, and my sister used to guide me,” she recalls. “I love cake making and cake decorating because it gives me scope to use my imagination and try out new and decorative cakes.”
Her dedication is reflected in the diversity of her cake creations, which range from wedding and anniversary cakes to birthday cakes for children and adults. Each cake is a unique masterpiece, tailored to the occasion and designed to captivate the eye.
Sugar Frill Cake Shop is strategically located in Pelawatte, a fast-developing area close to her home. Orancy’s decision to set up shop here, rather than in the bustling city of Colombo, aligns with her non-conformist nature. “I chose this location because this is a fast-developing area. Why should I too have my shop in the city of Colombo where there are so many cake and pastry shops? From my young days, I’ve been a non-conformist, you might say,” she smiles.
In addition to running her shop, Orancy plans to start classes next month, where she will teach her pupils to think up unusual cake designs and encourage them in creative cake making. “Some think that making cake structures is a waste, but I don’t agree for one can bring into focus one’s creative faculties to make eye-catching designs,” she says.
Orancy’s commitment to quality and innovation extends to her ingredients and tools as well. As a member of the ‘Registration of British Sugar Craft’, she imports all her equipment from London and frequently visits Paris for new ideas. Her shop employs three senior helpers, including her sister, who provide invaluable support.
“My husband Sujith, who has a garment printing company, gives me much help and encouragement. He is my unobtrusive backstage helper, and I am most grateful to him,” she acknowledges.
Embracing current trends, Orancy also offers vegetarian cakes made with fruit, milk, and no eggs. “I find that vegetarianism is now the popular trend both here and in the West as well,” she notes.
For Orancy Siriwardana, cake making and decoration is an art form, where imagination and creativity are paramount. Her vision for Sugar Frill Cake Shop is not just to bake cakes but to create edible works of art that bring joy and wonder to all who see and taste them.
