Gariba swapped corporate security for cinnamon, chaos and a dream of her own. We talk failed batches, big risks and the obsession behind CinnaRoll.
BEFORE CINNAROLL, WHO WAS GARIBA?
A corporate girl! Over ten years in localization and project management. Good career, stable salary, but I wanted something of my own.
WHEN DID BAKING BECOME SERIOUS?
Gradually. I became obsessed with recipes, flavours and techniques. Eventually, I started imagining a business.
Photo by Adalat NaghiyevWHAT WAS HARDEST TO LEAVE BEHIND?
Security. Walking away from a predictable salary was terrifying, but incredibly rewarding.
WHY CINNAMON ROLLS?
They’re comforting, nostalgic and endlessly versatile. I wanted one product people would instantly associate with us.
HOW MANY FAILED BATCHES?
Plenty! Recipe development was a team effort. We tested, tasted and started again.
WHAT’S CHANGED SINCE YOUR FIRST ROLL?
The texture. Today’s rolls are softer, more balanced and refined.
YOUR BIGGEST OBSESSION?
Dough softness. Getting it consistently right takes serious attention.
Photo by Adalat NaghiyevWHICH ROLL DEFINES CINNAROLL?
The Classic with cream. There’s nowhere to hide when something’s that simple.
ANY UNUSUAL EXPERIMENTS?
Carrot Cake! Our first attempt tasted like cinnamon roll with carrots. We eventually perfected it.
WHAT FLAVOURS CAN WE EXPECT?
Pistachio, Kinder Bueno, Oreo and Lotus, plus seasonal creations like Pumpkin Spice and Apple Pie.
WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE OPENING?
Coffee! Then dough, fillings, baking and that incredible cinnamon smell.
WHAT WON’T YOU COMPROMISE ON?
Ingredients. Pistachio must taste like pistachio. Fruit flavours need real fruit.
EVER THOUGHT ABOUT QUITTING?
Absolutely. But returning customers and my incredible team keep me going.
WHAT HAS FLOUR TAUGHT YOU ABOUT LIFE?
You can’t control everything. Sometimes you just have to adapt and trust the process.
Gariba has proved that a little cinnamon and a lot of determination can go a long way. And at CinnaRoll, the results speak for themselves. The only thing rising faster than her dough? Her ambitions.