The Baking Mistresses of Fiji
We’re always on the lookout for the new voices that inspire, inform, and influence the baking community. Few hobbies relax the mind and soothe the hungry soul in quite the way that baking does. We’ve put together a list of our favorite bakers from Fiji who have given us the sweetest of treats in so many flavors. These bakers really love baking, and they consistently wow us with everything they pull out of the oven. Meet:
Meyaces is a home based business that began in July, 2020 when the founder, Aurora M Rogers, became unemployed from an engineering job during Covid. They are located in Tacirua East and offer delivery and pickup options but of course delivery comes with a charge. Additionally, if they are working on cakes more than 2 tiers, they'll always recommend transportation and assembly on site. Meyaces specializes in pastries and cakes and is slowly moving into making realistic models such as edible flowers and also making edible hand painted goodies. When interviewed, Aurora stated she actually started baking and selling only until she could find another job. However, she grew a sudden liking for baking and the artistic side of her loved the new found passion. She bakes and sells customized cakes with a variety of unique fillings but believes people come to her because of her unique taste, edible models and of course low prices. Aurora is hopeful to open a small and elegant cake boutique on the corner of a town street with many edible arts and pastries.
“No special story, just experiences of a lifetime. I come from a single parent who raised my sibling and I despite many odds. She made us who we are and because of that we are most grateful. Grew up and graduated with a Degree in Civil Engineering. Fell in love and married a best friend who is a pillar of love and support like no other! Now I run a business from the luxury of my huge flat and making steady progress with the grace of God”.
-Aurora
2. Marley Sprinkles
In June 2019, Sharon Ambalal, a pharmacist and self-taught baker, began posting cakes that she had decorated for personal use on Instagram, which soon gained a lot of attraction and she started selling cupcakes at Vuda beach Market. Marley sprinkles cupcakes, custom cakes with handmade edible decorations and macarons are their most popular items that is baked from their home in Nadi and delivered to Central Nadi corridors. Due to the current Covid19 outbreak in Fiji, the delivery is free at certain time periods to central Nadi corridors, however, there are charges outside of this. There’s always enough space for sweetness so check them out on Facebook or Instagram and start placing orders!
"I put my pharmacy career on hold to care for my children, one of whom has special needs. But I still wanted to keep myself busy so I started posting up my baking and I hope Marley sprinkles continues to grow".
-Sharon
In 2019, Nitashna Kanti was diagnosed with a medical condition whereby she was dealing with daily medications, scans etc. She was working in a prestigious company however lost her job during the very first Covid outbreak in Fiji. Bearing with a heavy weight of losing her job and her medicals, she had gone into depression for a while and it took her months to gather up her broken pieces. And June 18 was the day. She was motivated by her partner and family to do something to keep her up on her toes and that’s when the cake project began. They started off with a mini passionfruit cake and realised this was something she could do for a long period of time. Their very first cake was purchased by a dear friend, a sister and a great supporter, Prish azel Raj. She actually trusted her with a cake that was to be taken all the way to labasa in a plane. They are currently located in laucala beach Suva and offer delivery services with an extra cost. All their cakes and other desserts have been loved by their clients therefore choosing just a certain item from their list is quite difficult. We would say all the items on their menu is all equally loved. Nitashna’s future goal is to open a shop where they would definitely sell cakes but a portion of the shop would be dedicated to help ladies in need who are going through the same medical conditions as her.
“We will have a daily program on how the ladies can over come these issues and share their pain to ease it out of their system just as I had found out I was ill and I had no one to talk to at first. The world seemed dark and small. My mum was definitely there but I didn’t want to show her my fear. As she is such a strong lady I thought I would let her down. Sharing definitely helps And I feel like a daily program with also some emotional/ mental building exercise would help each person grow from fear depression and open up from darkness to light”.
-Nitashna
4. Yoursugarfix.fj
Founded in August 2020 by Neelufha Nisha, a home baker located in Valelevu Nasinu, yoursugarfix.fj has left many customers delighted with all the sweetness added to their orders. Neelufha started this business while she was unemployed trying to manage her family after her mother’s demise. Baking has always been a hobby for her and acted like a stress reliever. Initially, she started without much skills and funds but with everything made from scratch (even fondant) whatever you see is self-taught and learned mostly through YouTube videos. As featured, their best cake is the chocolate lava cake and they also specialize in other desserts such as cupcakes, brownies, and doughnuts. Delivery is available as requested by customers but most are done during the weekends.
“This business is an army of one, from baking to social media management. My husband is my biggest support and assists in deliveries and packaging. I plan on opening a small café/bakery with extremely aesthetic interior”.
-Neelufha
5. Sugar___rush___
While having her practicum at bhawani dayal Arya college and left with her last unit, Sofiana decided she wanted to do something to keep herself busy as she knew she wouldn’t find a school to teach anytime soon after her graduation. She asked her parents and they financially supported their daughters hobby. Sofiana’s friends have been her biggest motivation as they were the ones who gave her the idea to start a baking business. They were obsessed with her baking especially brownies and Rasmalai so she thought to give it a go. Her parents bought her some more baking essentials although she already had most of the items as it was her hobby to bake. Sugar rush began to operate from March 1, 2020 and they received their first order for cheesecake. Due to the nervousness, however, she couldn’t get the product that she used to make at home so she had to re-do it until she reached perfection. Then came in more orders and in time sugar rush started to grow. After a week or two, Fiji contracted its first case of covid-19 pandemic but it didn’t hinder their growth in any way! Their most selling product is tres leches and Rasmalai cakes. They provide delivery but due to the pandemic have stopped to avoid any form of risks. They are located in Nakasi new subdivision behind Rups plaza so pickups are available.
“I haven’t planned much for the future yet but I’m not giving up on baking! I make all my cakes as if I’m making it for myself so that I never compromise on the flavors. In this business just to keep myself busy and to keep exploring myself because making cakes is like an escape for me from literally anything! It basically soothes my soul”.
-Sofiana
6. thecakeryfj_
Vikaansha Prasad, home based baker, had been baking for her family and friends but never thought to start a pastry business. She always had passion for baking and motivated herself “to give it a try”. Although not so sure how it would be or if she would succeed, she had one thing in mind that she could do it. As a student at usp and during April - May 2020 when most of the students were having online classes due to COVID-19, she decided to start thecakeryfj. Initially the business started in May during Mother’s Day, 2020. They are located in Namadi heights area and have unfortunately recently stopped doing deliveries because of the increasing number of orders they have to cater for per day, however pickup is available. The most common cake that has been going out almost in every 2-3 days is their Chocolate overloaded cakes that is a definite winner. It has been on their list ever since they started and it’s always a people’s choice.
“I don’t know what future holds for me but for sure I’ll continue growing my business. My family and my friends are my biggest supporters. Whether is tasting something or promoting it, they were all by my-side supporting me”.
-Vikaansha Prasad
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