BOTLHALE Tshetlo is the world's least likely baker. She's married to an architect, has an economics background and is an attractive 35-year-old
Born in Mafikeng, North West, to a mother whom most people deemed an exceptional mistress of all foods; it was no accident that Tshetlo would one day walk in her mother's footsteps.
Baking always reminds Tshetlo of being a little kid in her mother's kitchen.
"My mother used to call me into the kitchen where she was cooking and baking and asked me to add a few ingredients to recipes," she says, recalling the days she fell in love with baking.
She had no idea that this simple task would ignite the flame of a baking passion in her.
In 2008 Tshetlo, who had worked in financial services for more than seven years, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which made it difficult for her to carry on working.
Bored to death, the mother of two decided to start baking for her family. She started mixing things, taking an ingredient from one recipe and adding it to another or even combining them, making them her own.
Out of those endeavours her business, Cake Couture, was born in 2009. Today her cakes are in demand at birthday, wedding, baby shower, baptism and bachelor parties among other functions.
"I was surprised by my children's and husband's response. Because I'm artistic by nature, I decided to add art to my cakes and started baking for friends as a gift for birthdays and baby showers. The word spread and people started placing orders in numbers," Tshetlo says.
It's been more than a year and the business she runs from her Kyalami home is growing. She has baked for many high profile and some of the country's most powerful figures. She is known for creating some of the most exquisite handcrafted sugar decorations.
Looking at her handiwork, it's hard to believe this virtuoso is entirely self-taught, simply by trial and error.
From elegant, traditional, tiered cakes to contemporary custom creations, each one of her cakes is a work of art designed in accordance with the customer's personal style.
Her specialty is extremely lifelike hand-sculpted sugar flowers and other meticulously detailed edible art.
"I have made cakes for many celebrities including David Kau, RJ Benjamin, Melanie Bala and Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane among others."
She has also had orders from corporate companies for functions. She is planning on expanding her business by opening bakeries around Joburg.
What is her secret?
"Although it's something that takes up a lot of energy and hard work to come up with a creative design, the secret behind my success is to always keep trying and never to give up," Tshetlo says.
She says that providing a very personalised service and excellent quality has made her business thrive.
"There is a difference. It's the difference that you'll have to taste to appreciate," Tshetlo says.
Artistic, sweet delights
BOTLHALE Tshetlo is the world's least likely baker. She's married to an architect, has an economics background and is an attractive 35-year-old
Born in Mafikeng, North West, to a mother whom most people deemed an exceptional mistress of all foods; it was no accident that Tshetlo would one day walk in her mother's footsteps.
Baking always reminds Tshetlo of being a little kid in her mother's kitchen.
"My mother used to call me into the kitchen where she was cooking and baking and asked me to add a few ingredients to recipes," she says, recalling the days she fell in love with baking.
She had no idea that this simple task would ignite the flame of a baking passion in her.
In 2008 Tshetlo, who had worked in financial services for more than seven years, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which made it difficult for her to carry on working.
Bored to death, the mother of two decided to start baking for her family. She started mixing things, taking an ingredient from one recipe and adding it to another or even combining them, making them her own.
Out of those endeavours her business, Cake Couture, was born in 2009. Today her cakes are in demand at birthday, wedding, baby shower, baptism and bachelor parties among other functions.
"I was surprised by my children's and husband's response. Because I'm artistic by nature, I decided to add art to my cakes and started baking for friends as a gift for birthdays and baby showers. The word spread and people started placing orders in numbers," Tshetlo says.
It's been more than a year and the business she runs from her Kyalami home is growing. She has baked for many high profile and some of the country's most powerful figures. She is known for creating some of the most exquisite handcrafted sugar decorations.
Looking at her handiwork, it's hard to believe this virtuoso is entirely self-taught, simply by trial and error.
From elegant, traditional, tiered cakes to contemporary custom creations, each one of her cakes is a work of art designed in accordance with the customer's personal style.
Her specialty is extremely lifelike hand-sculpted sugar flowers and other meticulously detailed edible art.
"I have made cakes for many celebrities including David Kau, RJ Benjamin, Melanie Bala and Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane among others."
She has also had orders from corporate companies for functions. She is planning on expanding her business by opening bakeries around Joburg.
What is her secret?
"Although it's something that takes up a lot of energy and hard work to come up with a creative design, the secret behind my success is to always keep trying and never to give up," Tshetlo says.
She says that providing a very personalised service and excellent quality has made her business thrive.
"There is a difference. It's the difference that you'll have to taste to appreciate," Tshetlo says.
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