About Aureate Cakery and Unbakery
Stay tuned for updates on our packaged products, which will soon be available in stores beyond Christchurch.
Email - hi@aureate.nz
Aureate is Latin for golden or elaborate, and our brand is about quality. The business's mission is to provide a sweetfix for everyone, which includes a range of non-vegan, vegan, gluten-free, and raw products (that's the unbakery part of the name). Dairy-free and egg-free can easily be made too, just add a note to your order. There has also been refined sugar-free, diabetic (very low GI), halal, nut-free, FODMAP, and keto amongst other products too. Constant innovation and unique products are key to our business, providing products that cannot be found on the current market.
Sweet treats were where it began, and now the recipes created to bake, fill and decorate cupcakes and cakes that have been relentlessly iterated for years are now beginning to be packaged into shelf stable products. There are many curds, dulces, compotes, meringues, custards, sauces, and syrups in line to be released in vegan and non-vegan versions.
The values of the business are:
- To provide a sweetfix for everyone;
- To invent unique products and constantly innovate on current ones;
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To provide products that are quality driven;
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To use natural (and cruelty free - our eggs come from rescued chickens that are kept in a large space so they can live a happy and full life) ingredients wherever possible;
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Premium and rare flavours; and
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To use sustainable (compostable or recyclable) packaging where possible.
Our Story
Aureate Cakery and Unbakery began with a vision, a passion, and a notebook brimming with sketches and notes. I always dreamed of owning my own business, and my journey into the world of baking began as a personal passion, fuelled by a family tradition of baking excellence.
My baking legacy traces back through my family - from my Nana’s days at Caversham Bakery in Dunedin over 60 years ago to my mother’s ever present cake tins brimming with homemade treats, baking has been a cherished family tradition for many generations.
The Spark of Creation
My journey began with baking for friends and family, crafting birthday and wedding cakes, and experimenting with unique dietary requirements. The pivotal moment came in August 2012 when I baked an array of cupcakes for an SPCA fundraiser – an event which marked the beginning of my entrepreneurial adventure.
By 2013, I took the first steps into the market scene with a stall at the Haitaitai Community Market in Wellington, marking a significant milestone in my business journey.
The Birth of Aureate
The name Aureate Cakery was inspired by childhood curiosity – discovering the world “aureate”, meaning golden or elaborate, in a dictionary, I felt it perfectly captured the essence of my brand. I chose a name that reflects quality and inclusivity, believing that sweet treats should be enjoyed by everyone.
The journey wasn't without its challenges. Our bricks-and-mortar shop on Cuba Street in Wellington, opened and closed in 2018. Yet, it was the unwavering support of the vegan community that kept the dream alive.
Innovation and Creativity
I like to consider myself more than just a baker: I strive to be a flavour innovator. My kitchen is a creative laboratory where I experiment with unique cupcake flavours – such as Mont Blanc, Lavender and Earl Grey, Matcha and Red Bean, Sake and Rewarewa Honey, Watermelon and Coconut, Grasshopper Cocktail, and Lolly Cake. I’m always exploring new taste combinations to delight (and often surprise!) happy customers.
Beyond cupcakes, we offer a range of raw treats at market stalls and packaged products including Mulled Wine Syrup, Vegan and Non-Vegan Lemon Curd, and Vegan and Non-Vegan Dulce de Leche. These products are just the beginning of our expanding range.
Looking Ahead
As we continue our journey, I’m committed to scaling the business sustainability and introducing more packaged products, available for at home consumption. While markets will always hold a special place in my heart, I’m excited about the future and an opportunity to share my golden, gilded creations with a broader audience.
