Putting Pen To Paper with Jordan Rondel from The Caker

Our Putting Pen To Paper series, features different individuals & showcases what they use their favourite notebook for. It could be for to-do lists, sketching, design, song writing, illustrations, notes, daily gratitudes & everything in between.

This month we went inside the notebook of Jordan Rondel, Founder of The Caker.

First things first, tell us about your story & how The Caker began?

Well, here's a timeline for you!

Paris, 1993 - I'm 4 years old, and my eyes are shining. My grandparents are teaching me how to make tarte tatin, clafoutis and madeleines, and I make the decision that my life will be defined by the art that is baking.

Auckland, 2010 - I make good on my promise and create my business, my baby, The Caker. My hard work quickly pays off; word of mouth and a rapidly growing fanbase helps build a cult following for my made-to-order cakes. Vegan and gluten free people who always felt deprived of good cake come running.

Auckland and Los Angeles, 2021 - I've built out 2 bakeries and we're already outgrowing the current one. I have a team of 16 talented people, who all share the same vision - CAKE IS LIFE. I've got 4 published recipe books, a line of luxury cake mixes under my belt and a powerful brand. What sets my cakes apart from the rest is my refusal to take shortcuts with ingredients - my sole focus is on taste and texture. Eventually it becomes obvious that it's time to expand The Caker internationally so I choose Los Angeles, and here I am today, working on making great cake accessible to the world!

Plain or lined paper?

Lined because I prefer it when my notes and lists look tidy!

When did you first start putting pen to paper?

Forever ago! I’ve always chosen to write or draw on paper over typing on a computer, especially for my to-do lists because it just feels more fulfilling to cross something off physically with a pen. I like that with pen to paper, a fleeting thought can be quickly jotted down and rescued from being forgotten.

Talk us through your creative process & how you use your notebook day-to-day?

My creative process when it comes to creating a recipe usually starts with a list of what ingredients I’m wanting to work with, which could be seasonal fruit, a particular herb, spice or nut. Then I’ll compile that list into a recipe concept and write a draft, which will then get tested and refined.

Top tip for staying organised

If you’re like me and wake up with a head full of thoughts and ideas, write them all down straight away and your day will run much more smoothly.

Feeling creative & want to put pen to paper yourself? Start here with Jordan's favourite Notebook.

Follow The Caker on Instagram HERE

Imagery by Holly Burgees