SWEET SUCCESS
MANNIX PEÑA
Art cannot be rushed: it’s something that’s understood by most artists. The creative process entails constant tweaks and a good deal of trial and error before the artist is ready to reveal their work. Mannix Peña, the cake artist behind Cakes by Mannix, agrees.
“I take a lot of pride in my work. My staff is trained by me personally. When I deem something as unacceptable, we start all over sometimes—actually, most of the time. Turnover is high in most kitchens, but as much as I am very demanding in my kitchen, I also take good care of my staff. I put them through tests: the ones that pass are promoted, the ones that don’t are sifted out. This is a constant and tiring battle to ensure the pieces we produce are worthy of the name Cakes by Mannix,” Peña reveals.
The cake designer produces show-worthy, custom cakes for various events—elaborate and intricately detailed pieces that delight the palate, as well as the eyes.
Originally a graphic designer and creative director, Peña decided to get into the cake business four years ago, making a bold move away from a 17-year career. His education—an Interdisciplinary Arts/communication degree from Ontario College of Arts and Design—was further supplemented by a decorating course at Heny Sison 10 years after he moved back to Manila from Toronto. The decision ignited Peña’s passion for creativity once more, leading him to spend hours in the kitchen cooking, baking, and learning all he could by taking more courses with visiting cake artists from all over the world.
Nowadays, Peña is busy running Cakes by Mannix, which usually means prepping for a whole week at full capacity, with deliveries taking place from Fridays to Sundays. In addition to his baking duties, Peña is also running a corporation.
“We are only as good as our last piece that we put out, so I am always in pursuit of taste and elegance. Each time we put out a piece that makes people pause and look, it’s a turning point because it sparks curiosity and the more we get noticed and more we become known,” says Peña.
The cake artist considers the endless creativity of collaborating with some of Manila’s best suppliers as one of the definite perks of his job. However, the pressure to produce a cake that is always equal, if not better, than his last piece remains constant, and he continually strives to better himself, especially on event days.
“Since a lot of our cakes are large cakes, we assemble on the spot, therefore we make sure we have all the necessary tools, from wire cutters and paint to extra flowers. I also carry a leveler [to] make sure the cake is leveled properly—that’s how ‘OC’ I am,” adds Peña.
Peña’s steadfast dedication to producing only quality custom cakes has earned Cakes by Mannix notable reviews and patronage, which the cake designer is determined to sustain.
“My work and quality are important to me. I’m not out to make sure we meet a certain quota—it is more about the work. But the amount of time we do spend on a cake is quite long, especially for our larger pieces. So admittedly, I sometimes have to pick and choose the project because of time constrictions and manpower. I prefer to make less pieces, but good pieces. [Still], you can’t help but run into issues at times, as it is part of the business and some things get lost in translation, but generally, I hear out the one or two that I had and try to find a good and fair compromise to show our sincerity and how we value our clients,” explains Peña on how he manages client expectations.
Equipped with a penchant for quality and consummate professionalism, Peña continues to churn out impeccable creations that not only impress, but also ultimately set the benchmark for custom cakes in the country.
“My work and my eye for elegance are a culmination of years of experiences, people, things and places I have been exposed to. I live the work I produce—and what I produce is not just a cake, I treat it like a piece of art,” he said.