For runner-up Andrea Kwon, it’s the pistachio lemon cake, topped with a thick buttercream frosting, that holds a place in her heart.
“This is the cake my now-husband made me before we started dating,” she said. “That’s when I realized he liked me.”
Hundreds queued to grab one of the final 1300 slices of cake at Beatrix Bakes on Saturday morning. Credit: Justin McManus
Kwon was told the cake was off the menu while waiting in line, but was later moved to tears when a slice came her way. “I did something magical,” Paull told him.
“I’m going to sit down and cry and I’m going to love this cake,” Kwon said through tears and laughter.
But there is no special memory for his sister, Arielle Kwon. “I like cake,” he said.
News of the bakery’s closure led to long queues over the past month.
A loyal customer of Beatrix Bakes looks forward to Saturday morning in comfort. Credit: Justin McManus
The line to devour one of the final 1300 slices of cake on Saturday morning stretched all the way down Queensberry Street and around the corner to Dryburgh Street.
A limit of eight slices per person was set to ensure that most pie fanatics don’t leave empty-handed.
The final menu included blueberry coconut shag, red velvet cake with white chocolate cream cheese frosting and buttercream frosting, rhubarb cinnamon crumble with custard and vanilla slice with passion fruit glaze.
Paull said she has been overwhelmed by the support for her store, which opened in 2011.
Paull was overwhelmed by the response to her bakery closing. Credit: Justine McManus
“I’m very proud of it. It’s an honor to have cooked for everyone,” he said. “I feel so sad that this part is ending, [but] I’m excited about the next steps for me.”
Next steps include selling whole cakes online, finishing a follow-up cookbook for her first, also called Beatrix Bakes – and conducting baking workshops.