Meet Renee Tse | Baker & Cake Decorator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Renee Tse and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Renee, why did you pursue a creative career?
I love what I do because cakes bring happiness to people especially when the cake was specially decorated for someone. When baking I’m not behind a computer screen all day, I’ll be either on my feet or at my table making fondant decorations — keeping my mind active at all times! It’s an amazing feeling to create something from scratch. The process begins by brainstorming to produce a suitable design, create an execution plan, make all the decorative pieces, bake the cake, then put everything together! I get a sense of satisfaction after I’ve completed a project. Cake decorating is a truly rewarding process. When my clients see their cakes and are happy with the result, that makes me happy too. In that moment I feel like I’ve achieved something important and that feeling is something that can’t be bought with money.
Cake decorating projects also bring excitement and challenges to me. I must keep learning, practicing my techniques, and keep up with what’s trending in the cake decoration industry. There’s never a dull moment in cake baking and decorating!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
One of the principles that matters most to me is “DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU”. That’s what makes me different. I believe that my clients can “feel” and see the effort I put into their cakes. I want each and every one of my clients to feel special and know that their cakes are one-of-a-kind. It is also important to me that my decorative pieces are hand made and edible.

I always do my best to ensure my cakes are designed and built in a high quality manner.

Due to my multicultural background I also enjoy producing designs that relate to Chinese art and calligraphy.

It is quite challenging to generate innovative designs for each client especially when multiple clients ask for similar themes. But when challenges arise, I’m motivated to try harder and do better!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Let’s start with lunch at the The Sun Dial Restaurant. Dining while enjoying panoramic views of the Atlanta skyline is a unique experience. After that you can take a little walk around Centennial Olympic Park or take a ride on the Skyview Ferris wheel. The World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium are just around the corner and both are very fun to visit. “The Works” of Upper Westside Atlanta has distinctive retail and dining options as it showcases the fact that Atlanta is big melting pot attracting people from all over the world. You’ll find food there from many cultures — good old traditional Southern food, BBQ, Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, Puerto Rico, Italian, Mexican and more! I’ve never seen such a large variety of food packed into one convenient location!
If you are looking for a unique place to take photos, I suggest the Krog Street Tunnel which features urban art painted on the tunnel walls.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without my mom. She is a strong woman. I grew up in a large family having seven siblings. My parents worked very hard to make sure that we all have what we need. I always enjoyed the little talks I had with my mom on her work breaks. She was a great role model for me and my siblings. She taught me that even in difficult circumstances, if you are willing to work hard and never give-up, you can make a difference one day. My mom didn’t have an opportunity to go to school because she was a girl however she did learn how to read and write by looking at her brothers’ books, sitting outside their classroom, and listening to the teacher while she waited for her brothers to get out of school. She also taught herself to be a tailor, baker, noodle maker, and carpenter along the way. Despite all the difficulties she had to face, I never heard her complain about her life. She always told me that “if you don’t have as much as other people have, then put more effort in learning and practicing to make up for it.” She is the strongest woman I’ve ever met in my life. Strength of character is a quality that I admire and I try to apply it in everything I do.

Website: www.tsegallery.com/cake

Instagram: @tse.bakery

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1lOP_rSKujWPEwSd_q9wKQ

Image Credits
TSE Gallery Photography