Life & Work with Soumya Seemakurti of Tucson, Arizona

Today we’d like to introduce you to Soumya Seemakurti.

Hi Soumya , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hi! I’m Soumya, the baker behind Gully Bakehouse — a cozy little dream rooted in
street food memories, spiced stories, and a deep love for all things baked.
Growing up, I moved through the colorful patchwork of India — living in different states,
speaking new languages, and, most importantly, tasting my way through gullies (streets)
filled with local eats and street snacks. That early curiosity planted the seed, and by the
time I was a teenager, I was baking from scratch and falling hard for the magic of butter,
flour, and sugar.

Years later, marriage and life took me far from home — first to a quiet town in France,
where I discovered the elegance of pâtisserie, and eventually to the U.S., where my
love for baking truly bloomed. But it was in 2020, like many of us, stuck at home and
missing India deeply, that I began cooking through my cravings. I dove headfirst into
regional Indian recipes, studied spices like old friends, and started experimenting with
fusion flavors that told my story.

By 2024, I took the leap — left my job as an accountant and officially began my baking
journey with Cozy Crumbles. It was a joyful start, but I quickly realized something was
missing: a clear heartbeat. The why behind the bakes.
That answer was always right in front of me — nostalgia and baked goods.
Food, to me, has never just been about taste. It’s the way we eat in India: a little bit of
everything. Wholesome, balanced, flavorful. A spoonful of nuts in dessert, a hint of
cardamom in your tea cake, spice woven into something sweet. It’s that feeling of
walking through a neighborhood gully with a snack in hand and stories in the air.
So, Gully Bakehouse was born. Here, I blend everything I love — the richness and
realness of French baking, the texture and fun of American classics like chewy cookies
and melt-in-your-mouth cakes, and the bold, vibrant flavors of Indian home cooking. It’s
a celebration of cultures, comfort, and creativity in every bite.

Every bake is a small-batch celebration of nostalgia and adventures. From filter coffee
brownies to golden milk scones to desserts served in small cups and mason jars — it’s
comfort, curiosity, and culture in every bite.

We’re based in Tucson, Arizona, baking under the Cottage Food Law, and we keep it
personal, intentional, and joyfully nostalgic. Whether you’re gifting, grazing, or treating
yourself, thank you for stopping by this little lane of mine.
You’re always welcome here!

– Soumya Seemakurti

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has been anything but linear — a blend of tough challenges and deeply rewarding moments, much like most startups. Getting off the ground and continuing to grow has required significant investment of time, money, and hands‑on labor, especially while juggling the rest of life’s responsibilities. Since most of my recipes are original and rooted in thoughtful fusion, I spend a lot of time testing and refining them to ensure every cuisine represented is treated with respect and intention. It often takes several rounds before I’m willing to share a bite with anyone. Crafting something truly good takes time, and I’ve learned to embrace that process.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I run Gully Bakehouse, a small‑batch bakery rooted in nostalgia, street‑food memories, and the joy of blending cultures through baked goods. My work sits at the intersection of Indian home‑cooking, French pâtisserie, and American comfort baking — a place where spices, stories, and textures meet and have fun together. I specialize in creating fusion treats that feel both familiar and surprising: filter‑coffee brownies, golden‑milk scones, chewy cookies, soft cakes, and desserts served in small cups and mason jars. I’m also in the final stages of releasing a line of Indian‑inspired savory snacks and breads, which bring the flavors of regional street food into approachable, modern formats.

What I’m most proud of is that everything I make carries a piece of my journey — growing up across many Indian states, discovering the elegance of French baking, and finding my creative voice here in the U.S. The entire point of fusion, to me, is that it becomes a symbol of cultures, cuisines, and nostalgia meeting at one point and having fun together. That spirit shows up in every recipe I create. What sets Gully Bakehouse apart is the intention behind the bakes: each item is handcrafted in small batches under the Cottage Food Law, made with integrity, and rooted in a story. My customers often tell me that my food feels personal — warm, comforting, and culturally rich — and that’s exactly what I hope to share through my work.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can work with me and support Gully Bakehouse most powerfully through social media. Influencers and micro‑influencers who connect with my story — growing up across India, discovering French pâtisserie, and blending it all into nostalgic fusion bakes here in Tucson — play a huge role in helping this little bakery reach new audiences. Sharing behind‑the‑scenes moments, taste‑tests, cultural storytelling, or the fun of fusion itself helps amplify what Gully Bakehouse stands for: cultures, cuisines, and memories meeting at one point and having fun together. When creators share their genuine experience with my bakes, it brings in customers who value flavor, creativity, and heart.

Beyond social media, I love collaborating with local makers, markets, and small businesses who care about community and culture. Whether it’s co‑creating a fusion‑inspired item, joining themed pop‑ups, or participating in new markets, I’m always excited to build something meaningful together. And of course, visiting my booth, spreading the word, or inviting me to events all help this bakery grow. But truly, in today’s world, social media storytelling — especially through creators who believe in what I’m building — is one of the most impactful ways to support Gully Bakehouse.

Pricing:

• $3 – $10 for single pieces
• Prices of sheet cakes and other pastries vary by size and number of pieces.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gullybakehouse.com
• Instagram: gully_bakehouse
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/gully-bakehouse-oro-valley
• Other: https://linktr.ee/gully_bakehouse

Image Credits
Jakie Tran
Vidhi Agarwal