FREEWHEELING with Freedom Tree

If food be the music of love, bake on

Leading into Valentine’s month, we chance upon a lover’s triangle, with Pooja Jain, her bakes, and ChatGPT.

“Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon, or not at all.”
- Harriat Van Horne

@notyourplainjain

Feb 2026

The butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker - the traditional Valentine’s date triangle makes way for a modern twist with “Chat” and Pooja’s newest hobby and outlet. Like any love triangle, it is full of twists, and surprises, love and betrayal; moments funny, absurd, and ultimately heartwarming. “What people don't get about food. It's never the food, it's the love that goes into making it. That's what's important. The sweet intention behind preparing a meal for someone is viewed as love made visible.”

AGrown Up

APooja, a practising psychologist of 7 years, took up baking to pick up a ‘grown up’ hobby. “I had a very complicated relationship with food for the better part of my life, especially over the last couple of years. 
Baking was just a way to kind of explore and see if that could change and wow, did it change!” says Pooja.

She redefined her relationship with food and picking up a new skill as an adult has been great.

“I think I’m pretty good at it, so it’s fun’, she says with her usual unaffected honesty.

APrecision & Patience

AWith precision measures, to get predictably perfect results, baking did start off as a way for Pooja to claim a sense of being in charge and in control. Over the past few months, it’s translated into her being kinder and more patient with herself when things do not turn out right.

“When something does not work out, or as it fails, I have to get right back on the horse and do something amazing in another try. I have learnt to have patience and trust in myself and my skills. It has been amazing to rediscover that.”

Pooja had been baking for just a few weeks while she continued to delight family and friends with this newly learnt skill. Making everything from savoury breads to Chinese bao, Japanese cheesecakes to blond brownies.

As a psychologist, she gets to experience the therapeutic effects of cooking and sharing first-hand.

ALove Language

AI feel like feeding people. It is a huge love language for me.” And what better way to feed people than baking your own thing from scratch for them. That feeling of community, sense of connection, and also validation in words of affirmation - who doesn't like some compliments! Pooja definitely does!

“Anyone who knows Rishabh, [my husband, and CEO of Freedom Tree] knows how much he loves food. Every night he wants to order in a dessert, something sweet. I just love baking for him. I think every time I bake, he's the first person to have the first bite.”

“I'm always anticipating, you know, what he's going to say, the feedback. And it's just so nice to see his face light up every time I bake something fun and something that he enjoys.” says Pooja with a wide smile.

APooja shares a favorite recepie

AValentine's favourite is definitely either strawberry glazed Madeleines or Lemon cake. Both are super comforting, but indulgent at the same time. It looks so pretty! “

And who is to argue with that last word for Instafeed fodder?

AA Very Valentine’s Edit

ALike New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day can often feel like a lot of noise and expectation, but ultimately a let down of crowded restaurants, cheesy gestures, and for some singles - a feeling of exclusion.

We’re reclaiming this month in the name of love - all types of love - between friends, family, and partners - even our pets! Celebrate this feeling of closeness and joy with whomever you wish.

Make for more intimate celebrations and gatherings: prepare a home-made meal, a surprise candlelit dinner, dress to the nines - for yourself - and exchange momentos that carry memory and meaning.

ADiscover the Edit >>