THE Lekki Cake International Exhibition organiser, Mrs Mariam Nwokoro, has called on the Federal Government to see the cake industry as a key sector of the economy.
She said the industry has witnessed huge development given that the need for cake for various occasions keeps evolving.
Speaking at the 12th Cake exhibition at the Bespoke Event Centre, Lekki, Lagos, she underscored the importance of government ’s partnership to create more awareness on the business.
The sector has produced entrepreneurs who make a living from it.
“Cake is a very profitable business. I have not seen any event without a cake. It is as important as eating. The bakers are earning well unlike before when they are paid peanuts. I discovered that cake is beyond kitchen affair. It is for the elite, educated, the commoner and everybody in general.
”The government should encourage the cake industry because there are employment opportunities in it. The government needs to hear our voice and assist us. They need to see that this is another avenue of creating job” she said.
Mrs Nwokoro, who left the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), to found Mel Cake Company, recalled how the cake industry was sidelined initially. But she forged on to make an impact in the industry. She noted that unemployment is a boost to the business.
“I will say one of the greatest push is unemployment. When you sit at home without a job, it prompts you to want to do something useful with your life. You try to figure out what you can do or learn to earn a living. It has created a lot of jobs for Nigerians, so it is a plus to the economy,’’ she said.
On the yearly two-day cake exhibition, she said it was targeted at discovering upcoming cake artists and also expose cake vendors.
It was also a time for shopping, networking and training for exhibitors and shoppers. The cake and sugar craft show, which featured Deon Swarts, a renowned South African Cake genius who started baking in 2003, brought cake bakers from within and beyond the country.
They had the opportunity of learning from experts at discounted prices, ranging from N1,000 to N5,000, instead of paying over N70,000 outside the fair. Various cakes craft and baking materials were displayed as shoppers shopped at prices as low as N100. Cake bakers were also treated to practicals of baking cookies without milk, French Butter Icing, and Gravity cake cup, among others.
Exhibitors said beyond the nourishing elements in cake, it creates an ethical theme of unity and love, resonating the appreciation of the celebrators to all who graced the occasion. They added that cakes have become a critical aspect of any form of celebration.
Swarts expressed satisfaction with the advancement in the cake industry. He suggested a cake body that would oversee the association to improve the standards and taste through training and national and international competitions.
Read also: Celebrity cake maker, Tosan Jemide
He was concerned about the health factor of cake consumers which he said his partnership would him to deploy his expertise to enlighten cake bakers on health ingredients that can be used in beautifying cakes.
“It is something that is seen all over the world. I see a lot of stuffs being used that are not healthy which for me is a matter of concern. There should be training on healthy ingredients to use to beautify.
An upcoming baker, Sun Adekunle who started his cake business in 2015, decried the attitude of some customers to upcoming bakers. He said some clients nurtured a false belief about upcoming bakers ability to produce quality cakes.
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