Owner of Baked by Marggie, Marggie Pascua, started her baking business after a colleague heated up a Cookie Time cookie in the office.
To satisfy her intense cravings for a soft gooey cookie, Pascua decided to make her own over the weekend with Whittaker's chocolate. When she returned back to work with her own batch, Pascua received glowing reviews from her workmates.
"They loved them so much that they suggested that I start selling them online," explained Pascua.
Although she has always enjoyed baking, beginning to make cupcakes and donuts from the age of thirteen, Pascua decided to open her own home-baking business during the Covid lockdowns.
Losing her job as a graphic designer at a travel company, she re-directed her energy into first selling her baked goods to family and friends, before going full-time while she looked for another full-time graphic design role.
Now, Pascua juggles being a full-time designer during the day alongside running Baked by Marggie from her kitchen during her spare time.
"Baked is my creative outlet, it combines my skills as a designer and a baker."
Pascua's menu of cookies integrate flavours from her Filipino heritage, such as matcha and ube. Her use of unique flavours are not only a nod to her roots, but also inspired by her love for travel.
She also creates a wide range of decadent classics like dulce de leche, lotus biscoff, vanilla and oreo.
In the future, Pascua hopes to continue growing Baked and eventually open up a small cafe or stall to sell coffee and her cookies.
"It's the perfect combo."
