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Natelie Tilden is the heart and soul behind Nutty Nans Yummy Things. What started as a way to find balance and healing while raising her grandchildren has blossomed into a beautiful cake business filled with passion, creativity, and deep purpose. From overcoming early hurdles to creating cakes that tell real stories, Natelie proves that with love (and a little edible image magic), even the simplest cake can become a cherished memory.

1.    Can you tell us about when you first realised you wanted to start your own cake business?

I started my business in 2022  as life turned a new corner for me. I am raising my 2 grandchildren, and when they came into my care, I was unable to do my previous job as a support worker, as it involved night shift, and they needed me more. I was going through a lot, and baking always calmed me, so I thought I would do my own business and then Nutty Nans Yummy Things was born.

2.    Starting and running a business can be a wild ride! What challenges have you faced while building your business, and how have you overcome them?

My main hurdle was getting the kitchen passed for council and getting all of my certificates. Then a lot of YouTubing on how to decorate.

3.    What has starting and running your own business meant for you?

I love running my own business. Sometimes it's difficult raising kids and keeping up with everyone, but I love it.

4.    Can you explain the advantages of incorporating edible images into your cakes?

Well, I didn't think I would like designing the edible image, but I love it; they turn my cakes into real memories.

5.    We're curious: what design/cake gets your creative juices flowing, and why is it your favourite to work on?

I love doing cakes with kids' photos on them and watching the videos and photos of the kids' faces when they see their own faces on their cakes.

This is my first burn cake, for my granddaughter's 13th Birthday. OMG the burn away cakes I LOVE!

6.    Have you received any wild or wacky image requests that still make you smile? Do tell!

I have a customer who loves the horror cakes, and his favourite is Chucky. I love turning a boring cake into a memory for others and being part of their special event.

7.    Can you share some of your pro tips for printing and applying edible images effectively?

I work with edible images a lot, as you can see, I hate the taste of fondant, but wanted to lift my game a little, so I tried white modelling chocolate, and it makes the images look awesome.

I think a good tip for doing the edible images is ....find your groove and stick with it.

I do find that when I print with black, or a dark image, afterwards, I always do a cleaning (cycle) on the print head so it doesn't smudge on the next image. Also, always let it dry completely before using the image.

8. What business-related achievement are you most proud of, and why does it hold a special place in your heart?

My saddest moment of making cakes was when I was asked to make an anniversary cake for a couple. This should have been a happy moment for both of them, but the wife had brain cancer, and the doctor said she wouldn't make it to the weekend, so they celebrated it earlier. It was literally the hardest thing I've ever done. This cake was going to be the last thing they were ever going to share together.

She passed away 2 days later, she didn't make it to the anniversary, but her sister in law said she enjoyed the cake and smiled.

This one is one of my favourites, it's my Nanna's 90th cake, I hope I get to do her 100th.