Meet Amanda Jull from Mandascakes
Mandas Cakes
Birkdale, Auckland
See more of Amanda's cakes at:
Pettinice is by far the best fondant I have ever used, and for years it’s been the only fondant I use. It’s so versatile that I can make everything from delicate flowers and figurines, to covering any shape or size cake with ease. The colours are amazingly vibrant and easily blended to create and endless rainbow of colours.
Mandascakes is based in Birkdale on the North Shore where I live with my husband and two kids. We asked Amanda a little about her cake journey...
Can you remember your first ever cake?
Mum also used to bake every weekend, and we would always have tins full of cake and bikkies. I eventually started helping my mum fill the cake tins, and this was where I grew a good knowledge of baking. As a kid, I used to love making things from medium like fimo clay and even wax. Now I love to make edible cake toppers using Bakels Pettinice.
What is the very first cake you remember making?
I started cake decorating when I had my kids. It was a natural progression from growing up where Mum made all of our cakes using the good old Woman’s Weekly kids Birthday Cake Book. The first decorated cake I remember making was for our first daughter. She was stillborn at full term and every year we still celebrate her birth. The first cake I made was a simple round cake with a pink piped butterfly.
What was the defining moment you realized you would do this as a business?
I don’t think there was a defining moment. It all kind of progressed from making cakes for my kids birthdays, the my nieces and nephews, and after a while friends and friends of friends were asking me to make cakes. I knew I didn’t want to work in an office or retail as I’d done for years before, so eventually decided that I’d give professional cake decorating a shot. As my kids got older, my cake decorating skills continued to grow. As word got out, I found myself turning my hobby and love of arts and crafts into a full time business.
What has been the most challenging cake you have made to date?
There’s been so many challenging cakes over the years, I couldn’t choose just one. Realistic 3D car cakes would have to be top of the list of challenges. Each one has so many different details.
What was the last cake that made you cry? (from joy even!)
I have had a few tears over cakes, have often found myself having a moment sitting on the floor as I’ve realised I may have bitten off more than I can chew. One that stands out may have to be the Kina cake, with dozens and dozens of tiny spaghetti spikes that needed colouring and strategic placement, it wasn’t difficult work, but super time consuming, more than expected.
On the other hand, it was so well received by the client and birthday girl and social media that I couldn’t help but be super proud of how it turned out (ok, so no actual tears were shed, but a wave of emotions.
What cake do you wish someone would order?
Oh, a cow cake I think, I love cows, I’ve made a few toppers, and a couple of simple cows in my early cake decorating days, but would love to make one now.
What is your favourite part / step of the cake decorating process?
Bringing it all together. I love the whole decorating process, but it’s such a buzz seeing it all come to fruition. I really love making figurines too.
What do you listen to while you are decorating?
Netflix :-D Usually something not too riveting to distract me, I’m a huge fan of criminal investigation series.
What is your favourite Pettinice colour?
Would have to be black, with yellow coming a close second. Both ends of the spectrum, the black is super black, super cool, super sleek. The yellow is deliciously bright and cheerful.
Do you make your own birthday cake?
Yeah nah, I love what I do, but I love doing it for others.
What’s your favourite cake delivery story?
Not really a delivery, and not just one, but I’ve received quite a few videos of the first time a kid see’s their cake for the first time at their party. So cool to see the excitement on their faces. It’s why I do what I do.
What’s something you wish people would know about your business?
It’s just me, it’s hard work, but it’s so rewarding, especially when I hear stories of how the cake made the day <3.
What is the next decorating challenge for you?
Being a Pettinice Ambassador IS my next challenge, it’s super hard to put myself out there in this way, so I’m pretty proud of myself. Who knows what’s next, I’m excited to see what’s around the corner. 
My favorite cakes to make would have to be food replica cakes and kid’s birthday cakes. I love learning new skills and techniques as things evolve and change in the cake decorating world.
