KUCHING: Amidst the colourful spread of foods during the Gawai Dayak festival in Sarawak, one delicacy commands special attention – the ‘Pua Kumbu’ cake.
Katerina Jalil, 37, better known as Kaylee Craft on social media, hails from Pakan but currently resides in Sibu.
She is a member of the Sarawak Entrepreneurs Association (SEA) and commenced her business operations in 2019.
Initially, she started with making birthday cakes, buns, donuts, durian crepes, biscuits, brownies, and batik cakes before venturing into Sarawak layer cakes.
According to Katerina, the Pua Kumbu layer cake is the result of her learning sessions with Lily Jackson, the founder of Pua Kumbu layer cake.
“To create something distinctive, I incorporated carving patterns into my layer cakes. Drawing has always been an interest of mine since school, and I use it as a guide for my creations.
“Since most of my cakes are the result of distance learning, I must honour the trust of my instructors and not share their techniques publicly,” she said when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune.
“Every layer cake I make is crafted with love. To sustain longevity in this industry, I prioritise quality. Each product I create reflects my commitment to neatness, which inadvertently attracts cake enthusiasts.
“In addition to selling layer cakes, I also conduct face-to-face classes. I offer two types of layer cakes, one of which is taught during these sessions. The latest addition from KC is the ‘Woven Layer Cake.’
“The process of producing this layer cake isn’t overly complex, but it requires various techniques. From mixing to layering and baking, it takes only 1-2 hours.
“My favorite biscuits are Pineapple Tart & Cadbury Tart.
“I’m someone who enjoys imagining and is ambitious. Crafting a Gawai-themed cake isn’t as simple as it seems; it demands time and a high level of creativity to produce competitive work that captures the hearts of cake lovers,” she explained.
Her biggest challenge lies in maintaining the quality and neatness of her cakes, prioritising quality over quantity. She emphasised staying positive and avoiding last-minute work.
“I nearly gave up once when I lost my passion for expanding the KC empire. Not everything we do yields the desired results. Anyone can attempt, but only those who dare to face challenges will excel.
“I’m immensely grateful for the overwhelming response to my layer cakes this Gawai, surpassing previous years,” she expressed.
Katerina solely utilises Facebook for promotional purposes. Interested individuals can make reservations by contacting her via Messenger or WhatsApp.
