BAKER CHLOE KERR, OF WILLOW GEORGE CAKE CO, IS KNOWN FOR HER SPECTACULAR CUSTOM CAKES, FILLED WITH FLAVOUR AND A DASH OF NOSTALGIA

Images Willow George Cake Co

There’s something comforting in a simple slice of cake. A soft springy sponge, made from scratch and fresh as the day is young. From an early age, Chloe Kerr, local baker and founder of Willow George Cake Co absorbed the recipes of her mother and grandmothers. With her family’s Greek heritage, she was shown alternate styles of baking with influences from different corners of the globe.

“As a young child, I would sit in the kitchen watching my mum create all the family birthday cakes, eager to ‘help’ wherever I could”

Years later, Chloe is now the creator of beautiful bespoke cakes that hark back to the traditional flavours she’s always loved.

“As a young child, I would sit in the kitchen watching my mum create all the family birthday cakes, eager to ‘help’ wherever I could. It was in this kitchen, with this spectacular woman that I learned how to decorate, fill and ice a cake correctly, and also how to fix little issues that would arise,” says Chloe.

In 2009, Chloe launched Willow George Cake Co – named after her two children – and now runs the business full time. Drawing on her experience in fashion design, baking allows her creativity to shine through while showcasing thoughtfully prepared recipes using local ingredients and suppliers, sourcing where possible from small south coast farms.

“Baking for me is meaningful. Our ‘from-scratch’ recipes – that is, butter, sugar, flour, eggs – come from traditional old-fashioned recipes we have refined over the years,” says Chloe.

And it’s those traditional flavours that Chloe finds hard to beat, favouring classic flavours and using fresh fruits and homemade compotes. “I love a beautiful sponge cake with strawberry and fresh cream – traditional yet jam-packed full of flavour. It’s always best on the first day and to use pure ingredients, not commercial,” she says.

Chloe’s cakes are becoming an event must-have, often teaming up with local stylists, florists and balloon businesses to create an overall theme.

Wedding, birthday and christening cakes are booked well in advance and made to Chloe’s very high standards. Chloe credits her clients for her growing business: "I love that they enjoy my art and I truly appreciate their trust in me to create the centrepiece for their most special events."

“Colour palette is important and to match it in with event styling – the flowers or the beautiful tableware – it all adds to the overall event. Wedding cakes are special, I have even created four or five tiers!” Chloe says.

With plans to open her own commercial studio in Auburn Street in Wollongong for baking and for customers to pick up cakes, the year ahead looks bright for Chloe.

“It’s a messy job but, so enjoyable. I love good cake and I love to create!”