Vashti’s sweet rewards 5 years on

CATERING

By KAREN-MARIE LILLIE
VASHTI’S Cakes, a home-grown cake, cupcake and wedding cake brand which was started and operated by Papua New Guineans since 2016, now has some of the most sought after cake menus in the country.
Four years ago, I met the owners of Vashti’s Cakes and based on their story of starting a home-based business, there was so much potential to watch out for. I therefore decided to write up an article to showcase some of their wonderful creations. Fast forward to 2021, and the one thing that still stands out about Vashti’s Cakes is the consistency of their flavorful cakes!
The business tag line is indeed true – “Taim mama i karim, taim em i tanim wanpla krismas, taim em i statim skul, taim em i statim wok, taim em i marit, taim em i gat pikinini ken na taim em i makim aniveseri, Vashti’s bai stap wantem yu!” Vashti’s is a cake brand that truly grows with your family and in a country such as Papua New Guinea, family is everything! (When mother has given birth, when the baby turns 1, when the child starts school, when he begins employment, when he marries, when he has a child, and when he celebrates an anniversary, Vashti’s will be with you!”)
Many families around Papua New Guinea may have a special memory to share about Vashti’s Cakes, be it a 1st birthday, baby shower, wedding, anniversary, or even from just ordering one of Vashti’s 4-pack cupcake orders on the weekend. There is something special about Vashti’s Cakes and it all comes through in every cake tasted. The quality and consistency of its cakes since its operation in May 2016 to date is unbelievable but something every Papua New Guinean should be proud of, knowing that even the best cakes from around the world can be produced locally and made affordable to every average household. \
Little is known about this beautiful cake story but a picture tells a thousand different stories as one spends time visualiising the delicate designs on every cake Vashti’s delivers and publishes on its

Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn Pages.
From having little helpers alongside mummy and daddy, Vashti’s Cakes now employs four employees and is based in Gerehu, Port Moresby. While Vashti’s had initially invested in an edible printer years ago, giving it a cut above the rest of its competitors, designing some ‘Disney Worthy’ themed cakes, its owners believed skills were also an essential area to invest in for the growth of the business. Now with a team of apprentice bakers and cake-decorators, Vashti’s Cakes has surely scooped up more clients, delivering cakes to over 60 weddings, 50 organisational events and over 1000 family orders to date.
Some of Vashti’s Cakes big clients are from the likes of Nambawan Super, Brian Bell, Swire Shipping, Kina Bank, Australian High Commission, BSP Finance, KPMG and Credit Corporation, just to name a few. With many delicious and quality cakes being delivered to corporate clients over the years, came many more referrals from prospective clients, hence the business has been grateful for the support it has continued to receive through its repeat customers.
Having mastered the skills and technical aspects of cake decorating over the last 4-5 years, Vashti’s owners has kept the business abreast with the growing demographic change in customers demand and expectations which has come about in part due to the growing middle class in PNG. The skills gained over the years are now being transferred to employees to maintain its cake supply whilst keeping its consistency in quality with every cake order.
Some of the most memorable cakes created by Vashti’s would perhaps be from wedding orders. With many Papua New Guineans becoming creative, more wedding clients request to incorporate both traditional and non-traditional designs to their wedding cakes. Just to mention a few the wosera bilum design wedding cake, the Highlands and Chinese Haus cakes connected by a bridge to the main tiered cake and the most recent Manus shell and Milne Bay bagi decorative wedding cake.
But with a determined team, Vashti’s Cakes is always up for a challenge, being the first to deliver something unseen in Papua New Guinea. Truly they have won the hearts of many families through their cakes. With the main aim of being the most valued and respected cakery brand in Papua New Guinea, Vashti’s has earned the trust of many Papua New Guineans through its professionalism and at times, the flexibility of delivering upon the expectation of its valued customers.
Like any other business in Papua New Guinea, Covid-19 has impacted Vashti’s Cakes mainly in large event orders such as weddings and corporate functions, having seen many deferrals and cancellations in 2020; however with the a strong clientele through families and individuals, the business has thrived through this difficult period, surprisingly receiving many more other orders for smaller family events.
Certain soft skills that the team at Vashti’s have learned through this challenging time amidst Covid-19 is the ability to adapt, improvise and be resourceful. With regular flight delays causing delays to some overseas supplies to assist in various cake orders, the team has spent more time researching and bettering their cake decorating skills to still meet customers’ demands with quality cakes for their events.
While every cake from Vashti’s Cakery is unique, one quality shared by all its cakes is the consistency in its taste, whatever the flavor it might be. Perhaps the only difference notable about Vashti’s Cakes is the growing number in demand for cakes that now sees customers placing in orders weeks in advance to avoid any disappointment. If you haven’t yet ordered a cake from Vashti’s and have an event coming up, you opt to give yourself a treat anytime soon.
There are numerous pictures of Vashti’s Cakes products on its Facebook page that are sure to ‘Wow’ anyone enough to order. For more information on its price list and order form, kindly email Vashti’s at [email protected] or WhatsApp the team on 70429695.