Key Takeaways
- Decor Cakes has been a local icon in the South Auckland suburb of Ōtāhuhu since 1965, offering a wide range of ornate and romantic cakes that reflect the community’s cultural evolution.
- The shop’s cakes are a visual record of the community it has served for six decades, with mid-century western cake traditions overlaid with Pacific and Māori visual language.
- The decorators at Decor Cakes have observed significant changes in the industry over the decades, including the rise of novelty cakes, the use of new technologies, and shifting economic conditions.
- Despite these changes, the shop remains committed to its traditions and continues to produce high-quality, elaborate cakes that are a staple of South Auckland’s cake culture.
- The community that Decor Cakes serves is built around gathering and celebration, with a strong emphasis on family, church, and life events, and the shop’s cakes play a central role in these rituals.
Introduction to Decor Cakes
Decor Cakes has been a fixture in the South Auckland suburb of Ōtāhuhu since 1965, when it was opened by Eileen and Bob Faulkner. The shop’s window display is a marvel, featuring a stunning array of ornate and romantic cakes that seem to belong to another era. The cakes are adorned with satin ribbon, dainty piping, plastic pillars, and fondant roses, and are a testament to the shop’s commitment to traditional cake decorating techniques. Despite the passing of time, the shop remains in its original location, and its contents are still as impressive as they were in the 1960s.
The Evolution of Decor Cakes
Over the years, Decor Cakes has undergone significant changes, reflecting the evolving demographics and cultural landscape of Ōtāhuhu. When the shop first opened, the suburb was largely Pākehā, with British and Irish roots. However, with the encouragement of Māori to move from rural areas to cities, and the subsequent Pasifika migration, the suburb’s character has shifted dramatically. Today, nearly half of Ōtāhuhu’s residents identify as Pasifika, and the cakes in Decor Cakes’ window reflect this evolution. The shop’s decorators have incorporated Pacific and Māori visual language into their designs, resulting in a unique and vibrant cake culture that is distinctively South Auckland.
The Decorators at Work
Behind the scenes, the decorators at Decor Cakes work tirelessly to create the shop’s stunning cakes. Patricia Hopkinson, Rachel Lawler, and Anne Browne have a combined total of over 100 years of experience, and have been working at the shop for decades. They begin their day early, around 6am, and work steadily throughout the morning, piping, icing, and decorating cakes with precision and care. The shop’s atmosphere is calm and focused, with the decorators working together seamlessly to produce the high-quality cakes that Decor Cakes is known for.
Changes in the Industry
The decorators at Decor Cakes have observed significant changes in the industry over the decades. The rise of novelty cakes, the use of new technologies such as cake printers, and shifting economic conditions have all had an impact on the shop. However, despite these changes, Decor Cakes remains committed to its traditions and continues to produce high-quality, elaborate cakes that are a staple of South Auckland’s cake culture. The shop’s owners, Krishna Rajan, are dedicated to maintaining the shop’s reputation for excellence, and to continuing the traditions that have made Decor Cakes a beloved institution in the community.
The Community that Decor Cakes Serves
The community that Decor Cakes serves is built around gathering and celebration, with a strong emphasis on family, church, and life events. The shop’s cakes play a central role in these rituals, and are often ordered in large quantities for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and funerals. The community’s love of celebration and generosity is reflected in the shop’s cakes, which are often elaborate and extravagant. Decor Cakes is more than just a shop – it is a part of the community’s fabric, and its cakes are a testament to the community’s values and traditions.
Conclusion
Decor Cakes is a true South Auckland icon, and its cakes are a reflection of the community’s cultural evolution and traditions. The shop’s commitment to excellence, its dedication to its customers, and its role in the community’s celebrations and rituals make it a beloved institution. As the shop continues to thrive, it is clear that its cakes will remain a staple of South Auckland’s cake culture, and a testament to the community’s generosity, celebration, and continuity. The shop’s story is one of tradition, community, and cultural evolution, and its cakes are a delicious and vibrant reflection of the community that it serves.