BY NURFARAHIN BINTI OKI
KOTA SAMARAHAN: Local ‘kek lapis’ shops are busy preparing orders as Hari Raya Puasa approaches. ‘Kek Lapis Sarawak,’ also known as Sarawak Layer Cake, is a must-have during the festival.
This layer cake comes in unique colours and patterns, but it takes a lot of time to make the layers. Due to its complexity and time-consuming process, most people prefer to buy it from the stores.
New Sarawak Tribune interviewed several layer cake sellers and buyers to gather information about the demand for their products.
Azzrin Shazwin Ahmad, 22, a worker at Mawar Cake House, mentioned that they have been collecting orders since the start of Ramadan. Compared to the last two years, the orders have significantly increased.
“Based on discussions with the owner, the demand for our cakes has increased so much that we have to stop taking orders early,” she said.
She also noted that their prices vary depending on the ingredients used, whether they are premium, semi-premium, or budget-friendly.
On the other hand, Nurhaslyna Ali, 23, and Nurulnisa Roslan, 24, workers at Asma Cake House, stated that they are still receiving a lot of orders, although not as many as last year.
This is due to the rising pricing rates, which led the owner to increase the cake prices slightly.
They added that many customers request their cakes to be shipped to Semenanjung Malaysia, while others prefer to buy the ones available in-store.
In Kuching, Kek Lapis Warisan is already a well-known brand for Layer Cakes, and they recently opened their second branch in Samarahan in January.
Nur Adeeba Syarmeen Hasnul, 24, an administrator and supervisor, mentioned that the business is doing well despite the branch being newly opened.
“Alhamdulillah, the business is running well, and the location is quite strategic for students and people from this area to come and buy from the store itself, instead of going to the first branch in Kuching.”
She further mentioned that they started taking orders for layer cakes since Ramadan and would stop accepting orders before March 29.
Regarding the price, she stated that they had to increase it, but it is still considered affordable compared to others.
“Some of our favourite cakes are sold at RM10 for one loaf, which I think is still reasonable.”
Meanwhile, Norul Yahya, a 31-year-old housewife, spends around RM500 on four to five types of layer cakes.
She finds buying layer cakes easier, cheaper, and a way to support her friends’ business.
“Buying layer cakes is much easier and cheaper because we can buy them in smaller sizes and mix different flavours. This way, we can have a variety of cakes at a lower cost,” she said.
Sanniah Jamuni, a 50-year-old police officer, shared that as a working mother, she prefers to buy layer cakes because she doesn’t have time to bake them herself.
She added that the process of making layer cakes is too complicated, so she doesn’t mind spending RM300 or more for premium cakes.
Khartina, a 45-year-old teacher, spends around RM220 on five types of cakes. As a teacher, buying ready-made cakes saves her time.
