Baking Empowerment: The Journey of Shanaya Ghai and A Slice of Support

In a world where opportunities often rise unevenly, Shanaya Ghai found her way to empowerment through the simple magic of baking. What began as a personal passion soon grew into a purpose-driven initiative—A Slice of Support (ASOS)—that uses baking not just to create desserts, but to create dignity, opportunity, and confidence.

For Shanaya, baking has always been more than whisking eggs or frosting cupcakes—it’s been a language of warmth, creativity, and connection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when isolation was at its peak, she decided to share that language with others who needed it most. Through online workshops with The Down Syndrome Support Group India, she taught children with special needs to bake cookies and mug cakes, using innovative ways to communicate and connect. These moments, filled with laughter and learning, planted the first seeds of ASOS—a belief that every kitchen can become a classroom of empowerment.

As the world reopened, Shanaya expanded her reach through collaborations with organizations like the Dream Girl Foundation, teaching over 25 children the art of baking. From Shrewsbury cookies to tea cakes, she focused on helping children build employable skills, providing ovens, utensils, and ingredients so they could continue practicing beyond the workshops. Her regular visits weren’t just about perfecting recipes—they were about nurturing consistency, confidence, and independence.

The heart of ASOS lies in this “learn to earn” model, where every session blends skill-building with sustainable income opportunities. From festive Independence Day tricolor cupcakes to Diwali hampers and Christmas cookie jars, these bake sales became symbols of confidence and community.

Shanaya’s initiative also touched lives beyond her immediate circle. In 2023, she baked and distributed custom desserts for 50+ doctors at Medanta Hospital, expressing gratitude to healthcare heroes who worked tirelessly through the pandemic—a simple yet powerful gesture that embodied her belief in baking as a bridge between hearts.

Soon, Shanaya began working in tandem with Nisarg, extending her mission to empower underprivileged women through hands-on baking classes and community bake sales. Together, they trained women in everything from cookies to frosted cupcakes, transforming baking into a tool for both creativity and financial independence. Each training cycle culminated in a bake sale where participants showcased and sold their creations—earning their first incomes through their own effort and artistry. For many, this experience became their gateway to self-reliance, allowing them to support their families and see their skills as a path to empowerment rather than just a hobby.

At its core, A Slice of Support is a socially sweet solution—built on sustainability, skill, and self-worth. Shanaya designed a year-long vocational program that combines hands-on baking modules with lessons on hygiene, costing, branding, and customer service. Learners are treated not as beneficiaries, but as budding entrepreneurs. Starter kits help them continue baking, while partnerships with local cafés give them real-world exposure and income.

Today, ASOS stands as a vibrant community of changemakers—children and women who have baked their first batches, sold their first hampers, and, most importantly, gained a taste of independence. It is also a reflection of Shanaya’s belief that small ovens can bake big changes.

Her vision for the future includes expanding ASOS into digital recipe kits, certified vocational training, and NGO partnerships across India—creating a scalable model of empowerment through creativity.

As Shanaya beautifully puts it, “Each batch we bake isn’t just food—it’s a future.” At A Slice of Support, every cookie tells a story, every cake carries a dream, and every bake sale spreads the warmth of empowerment—one slice at a time.