The Power of Creating: Gurleen at GiGi’s Patisserie

“Start before you feel fully prepared.” Simple yet powerful words from Gurleen, the Founder of Gigi’s, who is currently busy whipping up some truly beautiful flavors at her Dessert Studio in Kanpur, India.

When we reached out to Gurleen, she shared her unexpected journey into pastry — from studying Law to training at Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa and École Ducasse. She also spoke about the role of authenticity in shaping her own path, and how stepping away to recharge helps her bounce back whenever she feels stuck.

And, here’s what she wants every reader to know:

What do you create?

“I’m the founder of Gigi’s, a dessert studio focused on modern pastries and desserts inspired by French techniques and flavors. I create celebration cakes, cookies, tarts, layered desserts, tea cakes, and other seasonal desserts with an emphasis on quality ingredients and thoughtful flavors. Through Gigi’s, I’m trying to bring a taste of premium pastry culture to Kanpur in a way that still feels warm, approachable, and comforting”

When did you start, and what inspired you to begin?

“My journey into pastry was quite unexpected. I initially studied law, but deep down I always felt creatively unfulfilled. During the pandemic, I found myself becoming more drawn toward baking and food as a form of expression.Around the same time, my father and I also started strawberry cultivation, which exposed me to ingredients and seasonality in a completely new way. That experience sparked my curiosity even more.Eventually, I decided to formally study pastry and trained at Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa and later at École Ducasse. That’s when I truly fell in love with the artistry, precision, and emotion behind pastry.What inspired me most was the idea that food can create memory and feeling. A dessert is never just dessert — it can comfort someone, remind them of a moment, or make an ordinary day feel special.”

Does anyone in your family or surroundings do something similar?

“Not professionally in the pastry world, no. My path has been quite different from what people around me expected. But growing up around people who were entrepreneurial in different ways definitely influenced me and made me more comfortable with building something of my own.”

What have you learned through your creative journey?

I’ve learned that creativity and discipline have to coexist. People often romanticise creative work, but building something sustainable requires consistency, patience, and resilience.I’ve also learned that comparison can be very distracting. The more I focused on creating work that genuinely felt like “me,” the more fulfilling the process became.Most importantly, I’ve realised that growth usually comes from discomfort — trying things before you feel fully ready, experimenting, failing, and continuing anyway.

What advice would you give to someone who is just starting?

“Start before you feel fully prepared. I think many people wait for the “perfect” moment, perfect skills, perfect confidence, or perfect resources. But clarity usually comes through doing, not overthinking. Also, don’t underestimate the importance of developing your own point of view. Trends come and go, but authenticity is what makes people connect with your work. And creatively, allow yourself to evolve. Your first version doesn’t have to be your final version.”

What keeps you going when you feel stuck or uninspired?

“Usually, I step away from forcing creativity. Inspiration comes back faster when I allow myself to experience life outside work — travel, nature, design, fashion, conversations, or even a flavor combination can spark an idea.I also remind myself why I started. Sometimes when you’re building something, it’s easy to become consumed by pressure or perfectionism. Reconnecting with the joy of creating helps a lot.”

Where can we find you?

Instagram:@gigikanpur, @simrannnchawla