The Cakelady, Ashburton

Tharina Nel is the Cakelady of Ashburton. A self-taught baker of incredible creations, she can whip up just about anything you can imagine. Ever watched ‘Is It Cake?’ Well, this is your local, real-life creator of incredible cakes like that. Fancy an edible version of your beloved pet? Perhaps a tasty recreation of a vintage car? Or maybe a pair of boots you can slice into and devour? No request will faze The Cakelady.

It all began when Tharina was a young girl and has been baking cakes ever since. A passion that turned into a profession, she started by selling at local markets before setting up a bricks and mortar store on Harrison Street in 2021. The Cakelady shop is full of cake-making products, delicious mini cakes and decorated biscuits to taste, plus a cake of the day sold by slice that you can enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea. A fridge stocked with full-sized cakes comes in handy for those last-minute cake needs.

At the back of the shop is the kitchen where all the magic happens. Tharina’s cakes have been shipped across the motu and are ever popular, so get in touch well in advance of that special day if you’re after one of her creations.

And if you’re keen to give cake making a go yourself, you’ll be glad to know that Tharina also runs classes from time to time. Get in touch with her to find out when your next opportunity to learn a few tricks might be.