Mary retires after successful 54 year career
A LONG-STANDING business and career have come to an end as Merivale Cakes and Crafts owner Mary Reid retires.
The award-winning Highfields cake decorating business and sugar academy has closed, as Ms Reid shuts the door on a 54-year career as a cake decorator.
She has decided to take up a new challenge, writing a book about her time in the industry.
Ms Reid said it had been a 12-month closure.
“It started out as a bittersweet decision to close last December, but as we have such long-standing commitments with brides and venues we decided to close in stages,” she said.
“Now we’re at the end and the support we’ve had has been amazing.
“My shoulders and wrists are tired now and it’s just time to say goodbye. I’ve got enough highly skilled ex-students who are the future stars, and I have nothing but praise for their work.”
It was in September 2009 after relocating from Brisbane, that Merivale Cakes and Crafts opened for business. Since then more than 900 cakes have been completed, 274 classes attended by 707 students were conducted, and 20 of Merivale’s ex-students have opened their own baking businesses.
Ms Reid has had what she calls a “stellar” career in the baking and cake decorating industry.
She was a feature writer for a wedding magazine for 10 years, taught hundreds of students, went on international cake tours, established new competition categories at the Ekka, brought 10 world-renowned international trainers to town and was a huge charity advocate.
Ms Reid’s focus now is her book, to be released next year. “It won’t be a recipe book, it is about human interest stories. I’ve been in the industry for 54 years and have some great stories to tell,” she said. “It will be a reflection of Merivale, all the people I’ve met along the way and the amazing journey I’ve been on.”