To be in your own kitchen where you are the boss and you have the space to learn, explore and make mistakes is nothing short of magical! Emma Reeds aptly captures these sentiments, that “here is where we discover ourselves, our history and our new traditions.”

Meet Claudia Kung’u, a 4th year student awaiting graduation from the School of Tourism and Hospitality (STH) and the Founder of ‘Treats by Qui’, a delightful bakery nestled in South B, Nairobi. Claudia started her liking for cake baking and decoration back in high school where she was a Home Science student and wanted to improve her little acquired skills. She joined Strathmore University to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management and here is where her passion blossomed. 

“Life is what you bake of it, so they say!” As the globe underwent the pandemic lockdown, Claudia turned to baking as a means of finding sense of the new normalcy amidst uncertainty. What began as a therapeutic hobby soon evolved into a serious entrepreneurial venture. Encouraged by friends, family and the growing social media following, more orders started streaming in. Her internship at The Social House was very pivotal to her business. She was placed in the pastry department where her business acumen and skills grew; as often, she was left alone in a work shift, and this meant making big decisions on her own. A leader in the making, right?

Claudia’s entrepreneurial journey has been quite a success thus far. Her cake business caters for corporate and private clients. In 2023, she launched cake baking and decorating classes for beginners and advanced bakers, which runs for 3 days and 5 days respectively. She also shares her skills with students attending the skill-based programmes at the STH. 

While the business offers boundless opportunity for creativity and entrepreneurship, Treats by Qui has also faced its share of challenges such as fluctuating costs of ingredients, intense competition, evolving consumer preferences, balancing work and studies, as well as lacking a team. Claudia has been able to overcome these by embracing adversity as a catalyst for innovation, adaptability and continuous improvement and staying attuned to the market dynamics and consumer trends. 

“I am currently the CEO, the baker, the accountant, the social media manager, the cleaner and everything else. I am projecting that very soon I will be able to employ a team to help scale up my business.”

When asked about the impact of Strathmore on her education and business, she credits the institution for providing knowledge applicable to her business operations. Units like Marketing and Public Relations, Accounting, Revenue management, Ethics, and Food and Beverage Production have equipped her to position her business, manage finances, and deliver exceptional products and services. She applauds the STH for the initiatives in place for students such as international exposure, management trainee programmes, business incubation and strategic partnerships which are all geared towards providing better opportunities for the Strathmore School of Tourism and Hospitality students and enhancing their absorption into the industry. Additionally, her mentor, Ms. Josephine Muli, has been of great help and support through the journey. 

Reflecting on the future of the hospitality industry, Claudia says that the future is bright! Hospitality offers a myriad of opportunities and is among the top employers globally. For anyone with a passion for serving others, this is the place to be! Claudia addresses issues like long working hours, emphasizing that more intentional employee welfare programmes can reverse this trend. 

In her parting shot, Claudia emphasizes the importance of planning, echoing the wisdom of Benjamin Franklin, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail’. She sets long-term and short-term goals, drawing inspiration from iconic figures in the industry like Chef Amaury Guichon; a French Chocolatier and Cake Couture; Kenya’s luxury wedding cake designer.

Despite the wake of the pandemic, Treats by Qui did not only thrive but also served as a beacon of resilience, inspiration and hope, reminding us that the true essence of baking lies in the joy of creation and the enduring pursuit of perfection. 

For a taste of magic, place your orders at Treats by Qui – one recipe at a time! 

Author: Ivy Wanyama – School of Tourism and Hospitality.