Meet woman behind Mumbai's most loved homemade cakes, favorite of Mukesh Ambani, Anil Ambani's mother Kokilaben, her name is...

India.com

03-05-2025

Meet woman behind Mumbai's most loved homemade cakes, favorite of Mukesh Ambani, Anil Ambani's mother Kokilaben, her name is...
Nearly five decades ago, Azra Goriawalla began her journey in the world of baking in the most modest way standing in her kitchen with a Le Cordon Bleu cookbook in hand, a thoughtful gift from her cousin. Her first creation? A batch of chocolate brownies. What started as a small step to contribute financially to her household after the birth of her daughter slowly grew into something much bigger. Azra, who previously worked as an accountant, wanted to get back to work after marriage. Encouraged by her mother, she decided to try her hand at baking. She sold 16 brownies from that first batch and they were just the beginning. Over time, her homemade desserts found fans in some of the most well-known names in the country — from Bollywood celebrities like Karan Johar, Kajol, and Vidya Balan to big names like Kokilaben Ambani and the Mahindra family.
Today, Azra is the proud founder of Goriawalla's Bakery, a beloved spot tucked away in South Bombay, best known for its signature chocolate cake that's been winning hearts since 1972.
In a recent interview with Localsamosa, Azra shared, 'I started baking mainly out of financial need. I had just learned how to make brownies, but I soon realized they didn't work well for birthdays since you can't write on them. So I found a good chocolate cake recipe and began making cakes with icing. I've never changed that recipe — I still use it to this day. People like Kokilaben Ambani have personally come over to place their orders. I've made cakes for so many — from Shammi Kapoor to Kajol — I've lost count!'
In a recent podcast, filmmaker Karan Johar shared a sweet memory that speaks volumes about the love people have for Goriawalla's Bakery. 'I used to call Azra and say, 'It's my birthday — can you send me my birthday cake?'' he revealed which showed just how special her chocolate cake is to him. That's the kind of affection Azra Goriawalla's humble bakery has earned over the years.
Speaking about her journey, Azra said, 'The recipe we use is very simple — just a basic chocolate sponge with my own twist on the icing. I've refined it over time. I still mix everything by hand using beaters and cook in large pots. We never advertised — people just kept sharing it by word of mouth.'
Talking to Local Samosa, Goriawalla mentions that the day at the bakery begins as early as 5 a.m., with the staff prepping all the ingredients for the day. Around 40 to 50 cakes are baked fresh every morning and sold daily. 'Starting a business like this was never on my list. It was not a planned project for me, and neither did I expect such a good response from people,' she said.
What's even more remarkable is that Azra still uses the same oven she baked her very first cake in back in 1972. For Mumbai's cake lovers, it's a place full of warmth, stories, and the timeless joy of chocolate.