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Prachi Dhabal Deb, a former financial analyst turned cake artist from India, has recently made headlines by creating a world record with a 200 kilogram vegan royal icing hand-piped cake. Her remarkable achievement has earned her a place in the prestigious World Book of Records in London, recognizing her creation as the largest ‘Vegan Royal Icing Hand-piped Structure.’
Measuring 10 feet and 1 inch in length, 4 feet and 7 inches in height, and 3 feet and 8 inches in width, the fully edible cake resembles a majestic Indian palace. It took Prachi three weeks to meticulously design, pipe, and assemble the structure, showcasing her exceptional skills as a cake artist.
This record-breaking feat is just one of many accomplishments in Prachi’s decade-long journey since she first embarked on a short-term course in baking and cake decoration, leaving her corporate job to pursue her passion. She previously set records for creating the maximum number of ‘Egg-free, Vegan Royal Icing Structures Meticulously Piped by Hand’ and a replica of Milan Cathedral (Italy) using vegan royal icing. Also in 2019 she was the first Indian to win an award in Birmingham for Royal Icing Category.
The World Book of Records lauded Prachi for her mastery of creating royal-looking, luxurious bakes that not only possess majestic appeal but also delight the taste buds. Speaking about her latest creation, Prachi expressed her intention to pay tribute to Indian architecture, aiming to overcome the challenges posed by icing in creating such structures.
Originally from India, the 37-year-old artist has been residing in Pune for over 13 years. Recounting her journey, Prachi revealed her early interest in baking and painting but shifted her focus to academia during her youth. After working as a financial analyst for 1.5 years, she decided to take a break from the monotonous routine and explore her creative side.
In 2011, Prachi traveled to Australia with her husband and enrolled in baking and cake decoration courses. Upon returning home, she started baking more frequently. A cake she made for a friend’s party proved to be a turning point in her baking career. Word of mouth spread, and soon she found herself inundated with cake orders. Prachi’s specialization in customized cakes, a relatively novel concept in India at the time, further contributed to her success.
Over time, Prachi gained a loyal clientele, with her vegan and eggless recipes becoming particularly popular. In 2019, she made history as the first Indian to receive a prestigious award for her royal icing art in Birmingham.
Regarding the shelf life of her latest creation, Prachi explained that while the cake within the structure has a shelf life of one week, the fully edible structure itself, being made of royal icing, can last for years if properly stored to avoid rain and humidity. She proudly keeps her previous structure displayed in a glass cabinet, a testament to its longevity.
Prachi Dhabal Deb’s remarkable achievement showcases her dedication to her craft and highlights the limitless possibilities of cake artistry. Her record-breaking creation not only brings pride to Pune but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring cake artists worldwide.
