Chef Sid’s bakery

Spontiphoria is a boutique and bakery located at Wasl Square near Al Safa Park. Sandwiched between Tim Hortons and Pantry Café, Spontiphoria goes about its day-to-day business without a worry in the world.

Opened by Sidiqa Sohail (aka chef Sid) late last year, the bakery serves fresh coffee and home-made cakes and cookies, and sells a variety of interesting products from all around the world.

“I started it as a home-based business and I always wanted to open a café,” says Sohail. “The name Spontiphoria was derived from spontaneous euphoria.

“It was something that I had come up with when I was 13 or 14. I put it all together and I really liked how it sounded. So when I started baking, it also related to the emotions I felt.

On an average day, visitors can choose from carrot cakes, lemon cakes, big rich chocolate cakes, jam cookies and coconut macaroons.

The cookies, cakes and pastries at Spontiphoria are prepared daily and the merchandise on sale range from clothing and accessories to trinkets and showpieces.

“Being the managing director, I bake too. I do all the baking with a little bit of help; once all of that is done, I also handle the boutique side of the business. I research products and find suppliers. I do that either online or when I travel,” says Sohail.

Since there is a lot of demand for diabetic-friendly food and gluten-free offerings in Dubai, Spontiphoria has items on the menu that cater to this demographic.

“We have a lot of people coming in and requesting these special orders, and we have to cater to this group as it is a growing group. Our gluten-free and diabetic-friendly options are all made to order. So if you are looking for a cake that is gluten-free, we will do it for you,” says Sohail.

The bakery hosts baking classes for children once or twice a week as well.

To keep up to date with the schedule of free workshops offered at Spontiphoria, visit www.facebook.com/spontiphoria.