GROWING up within a family of bakers, Emma Wilken was inspired by her mum and grandma in the kitchen from a young age.
It ignited her passion for baking and inspired her to launch her own side hustle.
“I’ve always been interested in cake making,” Ms Wilken said, noting she enjoyed baking for family and friends, and enjoyed making cakes to mark milestones and special occasions.
Over the years, Ms Wilken fine-tuned her skills, experimenting with different flavours and techniques.
It was her mum’s 50th birthday celebration which marked a turning point.
After winning over attendees with her mouth-watering recipe, she was encouraged to take her hobby to the next level.
She launched her business, Cake & Cookie Co, in 2020, a few months before COVID-19 was declared a worldwide pandemic.
Surprisingly, the timing was perfect and she was inundated with orders.
“It was insane,” Ms Wilken said, noting she was working around the clock from her registered kitchen to fulfil orders – mainly care packages, consisting of cookies, mini cakes and other homemade delights.
Three years on, and Ms Wilken continues to juggle full-time work with her side hustle.
She’s baked hundreds of custom design cakes in that time.
“No two designs are ever the same,” Ms Wilken said.
“I’ve developed my own style over time.”
Cake & Cookie Co will have a site at the Craft and Interest Marquee on Thursday, August 3.
