Buy your weekday smoothies and get your weekend ones for free. (7 for the price of 5!)
ashima bhalla
meet the founder of made by akb
ashima is the vision and driving force behind northeast calgary’s first upscale bakeshop and café — where elevated desserts meet intentional hospitality.
with a commitment to refinement and global influence, she trained alongside world-class pastry chefs from france and new york city, spending new year’s 2022 in the heart of manhattan at atelier sucré. immersed in nyc’s dynamic culinary scene, she sharpened her craft under the guidance of chef simon herfray and chef roger sitrin, bringing back a level of precision and artistry that continues to define akb today.
her journey began long before the storefront — from early days as a barista to balancing school and creativity, ashima always carried a deep-rooted passion for hospitality. in 2020, she made a single instagram post, a quiet beginning that quickly turned into momentum. within just six months, her platform grew to over 10,000 followers, driven entirely by organic connection and community.
that growth didn’t go unnoticed. features, interviews, and local recognition followed — solidifying her as one of calgary’s emerging culinary voices.
now, ashima is focused on building more than a brand — she’s building an experience. with a relentless drive to evolve, travel, and refine her craft, her work continues to push boundaries while staying rooted in intention, quality, and connection.
at the core of it all: creating moments that feel personal, elevated, and worth coming back to.
"in my 27 years of life, there's a few words that have kept me going through both my most joyful and darkest times; pursue your happyness. you've got one life, one chance to do what the universe has paved for you because life is short. life is too short to not take that chance or move that mountain. make the most of your time here, you owe that to yourself."