Combining passions
> Faizal bakes and works offshore
WHAT do you get when you put an assistant drilling supervisor and baking together? You get Muhammad Faizal Ghazali, also known as @bakerbujang on Instagram.
Faizal would work three to four weeks offshore on oil rigs and spend his time baking cakes when he comes back for a break from the wide open sea.
"I started baking about one and a half years ago. The story is rather funny as I was admitted because of dengue at that time. I was still on medical leave when I was discharged and was staying at a friend's house that had an oven.
"I didn't know what to do, so I Googled for cake recipes and I did it. The first cake I made was a red velvet cake. I posted the finished cake on Facebook and soon people started asking for orders," Faizal said.
Faizal who has a Bachelor in Engineering works on the oil rig when there are drilling projects. He said one needs knowledge in physics, mathematics and logic for his kind of job. It can be difficult sometimes but if you like it, you can do it. "In the classroom you cover everything from A to Z but it is more specific on the job. My work is only based on how to drill a well safely and economically; to save cost – and manage the service contractors. The drilling team decides the well design, how we are going to drill and those offshore execute the plans," he said.
Faizal added, to work offshore you have to be mentally strong as there is nothing out there; only sea all around you. He works 12 hours from 6pm to 6am and when not working, he exercises at the gym and jogs on the helicopter pad. Meals are served six times a day, his bed gets made and clothes get washed by those on the rig.
"People offshore tend to be rougher, so the challenge is dealing with contractors as sometimes they delay work and every minute is money to us. To overcome it, we need to have a better mind and better plan," he said.
Faizal enjoys backpacking solo as he is free to do anything and not tied down to the people one goes with. His latest trip was from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok, then Vietnam and Cambodia, and lastly Singapore in 10 days which only cost him RM900.
"I prefer backpacking alone as I get to meet people along the way. I met someone from Finland who stayed in the same hostel and we visited places together. When staying at a backpackers' hostel, you need to be friendlier. I have also been to Indonesia solo," he said.
Faizal believes to bake cakes you want to sell; you have to bake it the way you want to eat it. For him, you cannot be stingy on the ingredients.
"There are no secrets to baking, but love and passion. My cakes are less sweet as I reduce the amount of sugar from my recipes. I get orders almost every day and on weekends I can get orders up to 12 cakes," he said.
Faizal's Rich Choc Brownies are his signature, and his favourite cake to bake at the moment is Mint Choc Chip Cake. The price ranges from RM48 to RM98.
"I wish to expand this business but I don't have the time yet. However I would like to maintain this lifestyle. It is intriguing having people anticipating when I will be back.
"If I am not working offshore anymore, I would continue baking and would like to have my own cafe when I have the opportunity," he said.