Aesthetically pleasing, Instagram-worthy, and far too pretty to eat.
When I looked at Jane Ho Chui Pan’s cakes in their various patterns and designs,
I was reminded of the cakes on the well-known cooking reality show MasterChef Australia.
The 38-year-old of Chinese-Bidayuh Selako descent began dabbling in the world of baking in 2017 as a hobby and therapy for the mind, emotions, and self-satisfaction.
“I work as a social worker full-time. I enjoy cooking and baking because it is a form of therapy for both my mind and emotions. My hobby is designing and decorating cakes because I enjoy art. Apart from that, it is a source of self-satisfaction when I see the results that have been achieved — we are very happy when our customers are pleased with the results of our labour.
“My cakes are made from fresh ingredients and can be customised in a variety of styles and designs to suit the tastes of my customers,” she said, adding that she learned to make and decorate cakes solely through YouTube, without attending any classes.
Jane, who is from Kuching, is always grateful because she receives cake orders every day. She always encourages her customers to make reservations ahead of time to make preparations easier because she values quality.
“Usually, I will first inquire about the cost with the customer. If the customer has financial constraints, I will make some suggestions to him or her,” she said, adding that her goal is for every customer to be able to enjoy the cake of their choice.
“The cost of a birthday cake is determined by its size, which is specified by the customer. It ranges in price from RM75 to RM400. The price of a wedding cake ranges from RM300 to RM2,000, depending on the customer’s requests,” she said.
Her constant challenges in business are time management and cash on delivery (COD). Her responsibilities include purchasing cake ingredients, baking the cake, decorating the cake, and managing COD.
“The lack of ingredients such as eggs, flour, sugar, and so on is a challenge in the purchase/preparation of ingredients, especially during the COVID-19 epidemic. The rising cost of essential goods forces us to raise the price of our products.
“Another challenge is the COD of wedding cakes to rural areas with uneven and hilly roads. So far, the areas of Lundu, Serian, and Simunjan are the furthest I’ve ever sent cakes to,” she said.
She also has to manage her time well because she works full-time and is a mother to three children. She is also pursuing PJJ Psychology.
“My family, including my husband, is always there to support and encourage me in my business.
“My dream is to open my own bakery. I’d like to take a special course in cake decorating and design to broaden my knowledge and improve the quality of my products. I’m hoping to teach a cake baking class one day,” she said.
“A message to other small business owners: remember the ‘3Cs’ (Choice, Chance, and Change). We must make the choice, to take a chance if we want anything in life to change.
Those who want to order a cake for any occasion can call 019-4531458 or visit Jane Hcp on Facebook.
