Multicolored fondants, delectable frostings, creative patterns, and mouth-watering desserts are just some of the typical words we often hear, best to describe each celebration’s highlight—a modern-day cake.
During ancient times, cakes were rather basic. Indeed, their etymology reveals that it originated from “kaka,” an old Norse word, which means a small flat bread roll.
Fast forward to the contemporary day, they have evolved from their simplest forms to the most detailed ones, usually based on a customer’s discretion.
Among the well-known and sought-after cake designs in 2023 are 2D comic-style cartoon cakes, characterized by their comic art outline; square cakes, also known as wall cakes; vintage cakes commonly seen at wedding ceremonies; and bento cakes, famous for their minimalistic arrangements.
Anjalette Faith Tan-Hofer, 29, a Bangsamoro cake enthusiast and certified sweet tooth, started her journey as a baker when she was still 7 years old. She revealed that her great influence is her mother, who has been managing their baking business for decades already.
In November 2023, Hofer represented the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) during the Cake Fiesta Manila, an annual pastry competition and gathering of bakers from all over the Philippines and other participating international contingents.
“I thought that the theme I should be bringing to the Cake Fiesta is my homeland, representing Cotabato City and the Bangsamoro,” she stressed.
Photo courtesy of Anjalette Faith Tan-Hofer
Her winning piece, “Hope,” in the Sculpted Cake category bagged a gold award, making her the only Bangsamoro and Mindanaoan who stood out in the category.
This official entry depicts a young Muslimah, a female Muslim, who makes a “dua,” an Arabic term for prayer, in hopes of conflict-free, humane, and united nations.
Winning a bronze award in the Celebration Cake category, her Shariff Kabunsuan Festival’s Guinakit masterpiece emphasized the vibrantly colorful boat—featuring local flags known as “pandala,” historical musical instruments referred to as “agong,” luscious native delicacies, and world-class Bangsamoro street dancers, among other things—that the Arab-Malay missionary Shariff Kabunsuan rode to introduce the Islamic faith to mainland BARMM sometime in the 15th century.
Photo courtesy of Anjalette Faith Tan-Hofer
She also received a bronze award in the Cake Wars category, which was themed Gravity-Defying.
But this wasn’t Hofer’s first time winning at the Cake Festival Manila. In 2020, she represented the Philippines and emerged victorious in the same festival contest, surpassing contenders from Thailand and China. She is a genuine source of pride for Bangsamoro.
Embodying consistency and passion for baking, Hofer has been running, for several years, their family business—Hi Mama Patisserie.
Hi Mama Patisserie provides a wide range of reasonably priced and luscious pastry menus, with mango brulée, chocolate and caramel namelaka, mango graham, and carrot and red velvet cupcakes as some of the fan favorites and best-sellers.
The shop also takes orders for customized cakes, ideal for birthdays, weddings, graduations, anniversaries, and other significant occasions honoring life stories.
Depending on the client’s specified designs, the price starts at P2,500 for custom-made cakes.
They also offer affordable, ready-made cakes with prices that start below P1,000.
Hofer stated that both her experiences from carrying the legacy of their business and winning in the competitions honed her craftmanship and humbled her.
She also urged her fellow Bangsamoro cake bakers to step out of their comfort zones to continually grow in the pastry industry and ultimately, as a person.
“Be consistent and discover your abilities through a trial-and-error mechanism,” the Baker said.
She continued, “After you fail, you learn from it and never make the same mistake again.”
Hofer’s unfathomable determination is a manifestation of Bangsamoro’s indestructible morale.
Despite the uncertainty of what the future holds, it is imperative for all the Bangsamoro to unlock their full potential and explore even more things they are capable of, especially their God-given talents. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
