![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Genevieve-Lee.png\")
Having cultivated a passion for food, Genevieve, also known as Gen, later participated in culinary competition MasterChef Singapore. Despite being the youngest competitor at 20 years old, Gen emerged as the 1st runner-up before she furthered her culinary talents at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, the cheery chef is the owner of\u00a0Sourbombe Bakery<\/a>, a home bakery launched in August that specialises in sourdough, Italian-inspired doughnuts filled with deliciously flavoured custard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We sat down with Gen as she shared more on her entrepreneurial journey and the secret behind her popular sourbombes (read: they sell out in a matter of hours).<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the owner of Sourbombe Bakery may be only 22 years of age, you\u2019d be surprised to find out that Gen first dipped her toes into culinary business 4 years prior. During her student days, Gen was already managing a food and beverage business, an opportunity that was given by the school. After successfully pitching her idea, Gen was awarded her bid for a small stall that was located in her polytechnic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI sold mainly burgers and milkshakes,\u201d Gen recalls. \u201cIt was pretty challenging as I managed everything from the cooking to marketing on my own. I barely broke even but the experience was very rewarding – some things I learnt still apply to the bakery today!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Soon after, Gen further pursued her passion and embarked on the MasterChef journey. \u201cI wanted to join Masterchef Asia, but fell short of the age requirement,\u201d Gen says. \u201cSo when Masterchef Singapore came around, I signed up immediately. I really wanted to participate as I wanted the experience. Plus, the cooking challenges looked really fun,\u201d she laughs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides meeting talented fellow chefs, Gen\u2019s MasterChef journey also sharpened her culinary skills while opening the doors to more opportunities. \u201cBeing the youngest cook was a little daunting,\u201d Gen recalls. \u201cBut everyone was welcoming and we learnt a lot from each other. I\u2019m happy to have emerged as the first runner-up, especially given my relatively limited years in the kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Upon ending her MasterChef journey, Gen enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America to deepen her culinary knowledge. In addition to toughing out the long hours and rigorous schedule, the chef managed to secure a highly-sought after internship at Blue Hills at Stone Barns, a Michelin-starred restaurant located in New York. However, Gen\u2019s plans were derailed by the pandemic and had to cancel her trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was really looking forward to the opportunity,\u201d Gen smiles ruefully. \u201cBut I\u2019m thankful to have secured an internship at Plentyfull Bakery, especially during these challenging times.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shortly after, the Circuit Breaker was introduced and Gen found herself spending more time in the kitchen. In putting together care packages for her friends, Gen decided to include doughnuts – despite not being a fan of them herself. \u201cI\u2019ve never really liked them but everyone seems to,\u201d she laughs. \u201cSo I decided to make doughnuts that I thought both my friends and I would like.\u201d Little did Gen expect that this would lead to the founding of Sourbombe Bakery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI met Chun Rong (CR) when I was pursuing my interest in food photography. We became friends and have collaborated a couple of times. After eating the doughnuts, he asked if I was interested in selling them. And after receiving more positive feedback from friends, I thought, why not?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A professional photographer and food stylist, CR then worked with Gen where the duo established Sourbombe Bakery. \u201cHe takes care of marketing and aesthetics, while I focus on the culinary aspects – so we make the perfect team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Sourbombes.png\")
Photo:\u00a0<\/em>Sourbombe Bakery<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n#1 You\u2019re Never Too Young To Started<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/MasterChef-Singapore.png\")
Photo:\u00a0<\/em>Genevieve Lee<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n#2 Turning Crisis Into Opportunity <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Making-sourbombes.jpg\")
Photos:\u00a0<\/em>Sourbombe Bakery<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n