Some friends of Sutiya's who live close by began a local baking and cake making business some years ago. Apparently it's had its ups and downs, but is now going strong. The business is located under their main house, and stretches all the way to the road. It is busy, and hard work, but I think they do pretty well out of it; they own a nice house along a local river, with lovely views.
They built the business up themselves from nothing; but they now have a few regular customers that provide a regular income, so during non-busy periods they can afford some time to kick back and take a breather.
They produce a wide range of products, my personal favourite being their sponge cakes, which are just too delicious.
The whole family work very hard to see the continued success of the business. It's a stark reminder to me that there are really only two people in life, those that 'talk', and those that 'do'. Some 'talkers' may look on with envy at a business like the Suphanburi Bake House, without taking time to think about the risk, guts and determination it has taken to build it into what it is.....
And they forget, that for those that 'do', life still isn't easy. There is always a lot of clearing up ......!
p2yaiq6dth
Bakeries are a lot of work. My grandfather on my mother's side was a baker. I don't know that much more about him as he died when she was 3. But ever since, she has instilled in me a respect for the skill.
I always wondered what those orange/yellow balls were.
Early this year I went to a Mon village and watched them being prepared.
Not knowing what to call them, they are labeled 'Mon Balls'...
http://catherinewentworth.com/index.php/tag/bangkradee-mon-village/
If you get a chance, could you ask your friends? I'd really love to know.
Posted by: Catherine | July 06, 2009 at 03:58 AM
Hi Cat, the orange balls on this post are egg yolks! (lots) so different to your orange dessert balls. I asked Sutiya, and she said they maybe something called 'meg kanun', altho she wasn't too sure.... don't know if that helps. I will see if I can find out...
Posted by: Ben Shingleton | July 06, 2009 at 04:06 AM
They say home cooking is best and this set up looks the business. Sometimes a cake baked from a black battered tin tastes a whole lot better than the Tesco superbly scrubbed stainless steel baking tray version, it brings back memories of grandma's cooking for sure. I wish Wilai's local town had a bakery like that because they'd do good business from me. I'd better say it before you do...I can't have my cake and eat it.
Posted by: Martyn | July 06, 2009 at 10:29 PM
Hey Martyn, a bit of sponge cake goes a long way with a man desperate for some homely comfort food .... I have to agree that the home made stuff nearly always tastes better. plus, you can eat as much cake as you like on this blog mate, especially if you bake it yourself ...!
Posted by: The Thai Pirate | July 07, 2009 at 06:46 AM
There is a small bakery like this in Mukdahan that I can't stay away from. They make a particularly crunchy baked treat that I can't get enough off.
Posted by: Talen | July 07, 2009 at 06:57 AM
Talen I'm the same, there are a couple of food places that I stake out - as well as the bakery, there is a place in town that sells this Laos style cooked chicken, which I reckon could be medically proven to be addictive, plus, there are a couple of restaurants that I can't live without when I'm in need of a half decent sandwich ... if I had a nickname around Suphan, it would probably be 'club san-wiiich'
Posted by: The Thai Pirate | July 07, 2009 at 08:21 AM
There you go, expats will never go without work in Thailand. Start a bakery, and feed those fat farang faces.
Posted by: Wotchit | July 07, 2009 at 08:54 AM