It all started when I went to stay with my French grandparents in their beautiful Parisian apartment at age ten. It's almost impossible to be in France and not become obsessed with food - the bread, the fromage, the pain au chocolat - it's a gourmand's delight. A simple French lunch always consists of multiple courses, but dessert has always been my favourite part. I remember helping my grandparents make a stack of paper thin crepes, a cherry clafoutis and a tarte tatin, all intended to follow a lavish three course meal. They taught me the importance of using only the best ingredients and that baking is just as enjoyable to do, as it is to eat.

Hence, my love for baking was born. Eight months ago I decided to do something about it, and used my passion to create a little business called The Caker (www.thecaker.co.nz). It's a service to my fellow cake eaters out there, where by I bake and deliver cakes to fulfill your orders. Each week I decide on a particular recipe and anyone in Auckland can order one. My cakes are unusual, specialty treats that you can't buy from an average cake shop; some are gluten free and all contain as many organic ingredients as possible.

The Caker supplies households that love to entertain, businesses that want to provide their staff with a sweet treat everyday, or just people who love to eat cake (like myself). Cakes feed 10 – 12 people and are $35.00 or $40.00 including delivery within Auckland CBD. I also make cupcakes ($3.50 each), baby cakes ($1.50 each) and cake pops ($2.00 each). Orders can be emailed to thecaker.order@gmail.com and I will put on my oven mitts immediately!

NOTE: My gluten free, flour-less dark chocolate cake is dangerously good and is my most popular cake so it's always on offer.

Next year I want to start up my own cafe / shop where people can come for the best coffee and tea in town and a slice of cake. I'm thinking something very Agnes Curran / Rose Bakery-esque with little tables for two and a big long communal table in the middle. I want flowers and art and vintage tea cups. I want people to walk past and be drawn in with the smell of freshly baked cakes. There will be organic salads and strawberry tarts, and customers will be able to purchase whole cakes for their dinner parties. This idea lies amongst other plans to move to Paris, as well as finding a 'proper' job in the advertising industry.

Here's a list of my top ten favourite things right now: