DYLAN SMITH
Belinda Easey has marked a stellar rise in baking and cake decorating by being named among the nominees in the prestigious ACADA Cake Oscar Awards.
She has been featured in the rising star category of the sought-after Australasian cake honours.
Bel, as she is more commonly known, made the move from creating bibs and scrunchies to sugar cookies in what marked the start of her kitchen creativity.
Operating as Busy B’s, Easey started by making a cake for a member of her partner’s family.
“I realised I was really good at it,” she said.
Easey has fond memories of baking with her foster mother and also receiving tips from her partner’s mother.
“Almost two years ago, I started teaching myself how to professionally decorate cakes,” she said. “At the time, I didn’t know a single thing about cake decorating.
“The only knowledge I had came from childhood memories of baking and decorating, along with the tips and techniques my mother-in-law shared with me, who is an incredibly talented cake decorator herself.”
But she never anticipated such a quick advancement.
“The recipes, I’ve learned for myself,” she said.
“When I started decorating, my mum said she didn’t think I would have the patience.”
Crafting an intricately decorated cake is an artform that brings Easey absolute joy.
The smile on a person’s face when receiving the cake is a great feeling, she said.
Belinda Easey, who was nominated in the ACADA Cake Oscar Awards, is pictured with some of her baking masterpieces.
Her creations span a variety of special occasions. A standout in her few years of baking is a Stitch cake (from the series Lilo and Stitch).
Upon learning of her nomination for the ACADA awards, Easey said she cried.
“I was caught by surprise,” she said.
“To say I’m emotional would be an understatement. I am so incredibly grateful, honoured, and honestly a little overwhelmed.
“No matter what happens next, being recognised at this level is something I never thought possible, and it’s all because of this amazing community.
“Thank you to everyone who supports me.”
Easey, 23, has achieved a great deal in just a few years – something she is enormously proud of.
“Anyone out there who wants to follow their dreams should do it,” she said.
“As soon as my son was born, everything changed for me.”
In addition to her baking and decorating, Easey also recently hosted a red carpet event to bring together small business owners.
“I wanted to create something special for Gunnedah,” she said.
“As a small business owner, sometimes people don’t know you or what you do.
“I thought this would allow other businesses to network themselves.”
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