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It was a good four decades ago that my fascination with cake decorating first began. I recall, as a very little girl being completely enchanted by my good friend Troy’s annual birthday parties. More than any other event, I looked forward to Troy’s birthdays with unparalleled anticipation. You see, Troy’s Mum (Aunt Esme) always produced the most beautiful cakes and lollies that she handcrafted herself. I thought that Troy was the luckiest girl in the whole world, and vowed that one day I would be the envy of my children’s neighbourhood too! One day, children would treasure my own handcrafted sugar eggs, decorated with royal piping work, and filled with handmade sweeties; just as I had treasured Aunt Esme’s goods.

By the age of eleven, I had saved enough pocket money to invest in a book about cake decorating, and began teaching myself by following the instructions in that first book. And from those first moments, by fascination (nay obsession!) with the craft has never left me.

By the time I had left school in the mid seventies, I was already making wedding cakes for friends. However, it had become apparent that I needed to learn more about the art of cake decorating, and so I enrolled classes with Jill Maytham (who at that time, had just started making JEM Cutters) in South Africa. I spent many years learning at Jill’s feet, and joined the local guild.

Soon, I found myself entering and winning Cake Decorating Competitions, and was invited to demonstrate at the guild on many occasions.

By 1994 (my own daughter then 10 years old) I had enrolled with the South African Cake Decorator’s Guild to commence formal qualifications in Cake Decoration, and completed the “Basic Instructor’s Exam”. This was to be the start of completing all qualifications in South Africa to become a Cake Decorating Judge. (The courses were seldom held, and often ran over two years, covering both a formal written and practical exam at the conclusion).

By early 1997, we had relocated to New Zealand, which meant I was unable to complete my certification in Sugarart in South Africa. As there is no equivalent certificate in New Zealand as the Intermediate or Advanced Instructor, I had put my name forward to complete the Judges Course there. And I'm pleased to say, that I have now been certificated as a New Zealand Sugar Craft Judge

After a period of settling in, and establishing a career in New Zealand, I joined the Hamilton Cake Decorating Club, and have since been involved in demonstrating at the local club, as well as being invited to demonstrate in Auckland. I have also participated in competitions, and have won prizes for my work.

A few years down the track, and with our daughter married to a Kiwi and off to do (as the Kiwi's call it) their "big OE" (ie overseas experience), and we found ourselves rattling around a big house with only a cat for company. So we did what crazy parents do ... we followed the kids to Australia! So, we find ourselves in Perth, and, once more seeking out the company of fellow crazies ... cake decorators that is!