Where my journey began...

I’ve always had a deep love for travelling, a passion that began when I was just 19 years old. My first job outside of Germany took me to London, and that 18-month journey then led me to the beautiful island of Bermuda, where I spent two wonderful years before returning home to Germany. My next adventure took me halfway around the world, working on a cruise ship with Royal Viking Line, which was both exhilarating and eye-opening.

When I returned to Germany, I was fortunate to receive a job offer that would take me to Australia. My partner and I arrived in Sydney in 1989 with our 2½-year-old son, filled with hope for what lay ahead. However, the real challenge was finding a sense of happiness and personal fulfilment in my work. With my love for travelling and my passion for culinary excellence in pastry cooking, I took a leap of faith and accepted a position as a pastry chef at a French bakery, hoping to showcase the beauty of what could be done in Australia.

Adjusting to the differences in Australian baking was difficult, as it was quite different from what I had learned and experienced throughout my career. This made the search for the perfect job even more challenging as I longed for something that truly satisfied me.

During a holiday in Queensland, we thought we would prefer Sydney for our home. However, just four weeks later, I found myself packing up our lives to move to sunny Queensland. I adored Australia, but I felt a longing for a job that would allow me to express my creativity and passion. I yearned to introduce the art of European baking to this new home.

Taking a big risk, we decided to start our own business. Looking back, it was quite a daunting idea—setting up shop in a foreign country and city that we had only just arrived in. But with courage and determination, we opened our first store in Taringa. We didn't have a business plan and were underfunded, but our shared passion for creating delicious cakes pushed us forward. This was how King of Cakes was born—a place to share the joy of traditional European baking with the people of Brisbane.

Nearly three decades later, I am proud that King of Cakes has grown to several locations and serves thousands of satisfied customers every day. We have worked hard to maintain the same standards of excellence in every location, ensuring that every customer feels valued. As I reflect on the past 32 years, I realize we built something truly special together, and our business has been woven into the fabric of Brisbane’s growth and development. We celebrated many cherished moments, from the 75th anniversary of QANTAS to the 150th anniversary of The Mater Hospital, participated in annual film festivals, hosted countless private functions, and created an array of wedding and celebration cakes.

The event that holds the most memories for me is Oktoberfest. However, the time has come for a new chapter, as I sold King of Cakes in May 2022. This transition was bittersweet, and I took a trip back to Germany to support my parents, regroup, and dream about the future. I’m excited to embark on my next adventure with a new business called The Jolly German. With all the connections I’ve made over the years, I hope this venture will help strengthen the bond between Germany and Australia.