Today we’d like to introduce you to Baker & Foodologist of NYC, Samina Chowdhury-Miah.
Samina, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I always had an undying passion for food from an early age. I could never put my finger on it but I just knew I loved food, all shapes, sizes, cuisines to learning about it as well as watching anything related to it with how it made me feel when I cooked myself. My friends always loved my food photography along with all the knowledge I had when it came to places to eat & visit. After a lot of motivation and support, I opened up an Instagram account on April 16, 2018, specifically geared towards food finds in NYC. I am so grateful that I made it happen because of where I am now. I’ve learned so much more about the food blogging community, met amazing people from it and get to know more about businesses and the owners. It’s been an amazing journey so far, two years and counting. It’s definitely become a part of me and my identity which I am so very proud of. It can get overwhelming at times as I am my own photographer, editor, reviewer, writer & everything in between. But it’s my passion that keeps me going and the food that always has me coming back for more.
Through the food page, I gained an audience that not only loves food as much as I do but people who are so supportive of one another. It’s so beautiful to see strangers who also enjoys eating, taking pictures of food and cooking all come together. When the pandemic hit, like most businesses, the restaurants took a big hit. I did what I could to help out the local businesses by ordering take out, buying gift cards and spreading word that they are open and anything I could do in my power. It also helped me keep my passion going as I felt that it would be hard to continue with the restaurants closed. Throughout the months, I witnessed many small businesses go out of business due to the pandemic. It was heartbreaking but inevitable. The pandemic itself is a life-changing experience and era we will never forget. But through the tough turn of events in my personal life, I was able to create another identity out of it.
For those of you that know me personally or for a long time, know that not only do I have an undying love for food (hence my food Instagram page) but I’m also passionate about baking & dreamed of the day I opened up my very own bakery. But with life throwing all kinds of curveballs, that dream started to slowly fade away as time went on.
My mother, who also loves to cook & feed anyone & everyone, was always wowing people with her amazing desserts. If I got a dollar for every time someone said we should open up a business with her goods, I’m sure we would actually have enough to own one, lol. But she always wanted to get into the food business but never felt safe or secure since she wasn’t familiar with the system. Plus her day job being a special ED teacher in middle school kept her super busy as is so she never looked past that door.
But then quarantine life happened & let me tell you, it did a number on me. I went through so many emotions & turmoil’s as I’m sure everyone did in their own ways but I pushed myself to focus on all the positive aspects I to gained out of this time. I had so much more time to pursue what truly makes me happy which is to get creative, bake & make anything my heart & mind desired. I genuinely, wholeheartedly get a gush of happiness from creating my baked goods. My dreams & passion started to align & slowly started to come together before my eyes. Soon after much contemplation & hesitation but a hella lot of support & encouragement, @mishti.n.spice was born on May 27, 2020!!
This small business is a collaboration with my mother & I as we pursue our passion in baking, making & bringing together both of our cultures in one. She brings the traditional Bengali sweets while I recreate my favorite desserts with culture fusions! Hence the name mishti which means sweet in the Bengali language, n spice! We are excited to see where our new journey takes us as NYC moves forward to slowly open up with the new normal.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s been an amazing journey to say the least. There are sleepless nights and very exhausting days. But there are also days of sweet messages, thank you notes and a heart full of gratitude for being where we are. today. Between my full-time job as an assistant property manager, my food blogging page, my personal life & everything else in between, idk how I manage to do it! My mother is a teacher in a junior highschool and handles her own household duties along with her personal life. But when we get our orders done and see those beautifully packed boxes ready to be delivered, the feeling is beyond rewarding. It’s definitely an accomplishment for the books.
I started this business with my mother out of pure passion and love for what we make. Growing up, we didn’t quite get along and didnt have a solid relationship. But this business brought out a new side of us and blossomed our relationship into something I never thought to imagine to have. I am so grateful for where we are today and hope we continue to grow closer than the day before.
Fun Fact: We don’t have a business background however we are definitely learning along the way as it’s a growing process. We’ve also learned that the baking scene is very competitive but we strive to empower women. We are a woman run business and we believe success is never reached alone but rather comes from teamwork and supporting one another. Empowered women empower each other.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the SamBamEatsTheWorld & Mishti.n.Spice story. Tell us more about the business.
Mishti.n.Spice a mother & daughter team chasing our passion in baking world. We have come together to bring everyone our homemade traditional sweets, snacks & new spins on classic desserts.
MommaBam makes all the authentic Bengali and South Asian sweets while I recreate my favorite American desserts with a Desi twist. I’m so proud to say that I’ve come up with quite a few amazing flavors that have been a crowd favorite.
Our goal is to make everyone’s taste buds jump for joy while bringing together the two cultures we live with on a day to day basis.
We are so proud of how far we’ve come with the business along with all my baking that I always dreamt of doing. Looking at all the desserts I’ve made & curated along the way, only reassures me that I was born to not only eat but also bake! I think it’s safe to say I’m officially a small business owner, like a really really small one but with it comes so much responsibly & hard work! We’ve also met some amazing individuals & bakers who are just so inspiring & supportive! Grateful to be a part of both the baking and food blogging community.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
This business came to us as a blessing in disguise as it started in the midst of the pandemic. We were able to create something positive and beautiful through devastating times. Our baked goods put smiles on the faces of people we’ve never met. It’s just such an incredible feeling that words can’t describe. So we wouldn’t use the word luck but we definitely would like to say we are blessed. We believe everything happens for a reason and in due time. We never thought to do anything like this but here we are, chasing our dreams after all.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mishti.n.spice/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mishti.n.spice
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