Baking has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Scotland, I was fortunate to be surrounded by the warmth and creativity of my grandmothers and mother—someone was always in the kitchen baking something delicious. My journey into cake decorating, however, truly began with my brother’s 18th birthday cake back in the 1980s. From there, I found myself creating cakes for milestone celebrations of family and friends, each one a new and exciting challenge.

During my twenties, baking became more of a passion project as I travelled and worked. I continued to take on special cakes that pushed my creativity. Around this time, I also earned the nickname “Calamity Jane,” a playful nod to the unpredictable adventures that sometimes came with my baking!

In 2001, my husband and I relocated to Taupō, where I began baking again—initially for friends and then for my own children’s birthdays. By 2010, I officially registered with the local council and joined the vibrant Taupō Market community. Since then, I’ve focused full-time on custom cakes, now baked and designed from my registered home kitchen.

I often say the name is fitting not just for my nickname, but also because of our surname, Gamble—making “take a gamble with Calamity Cakes” a bit of a running joke. While I’ve certainly had a few baking mishaps (like the Winnie the Pooh cake that developed a tilt on a three-hour drive from Scotland to England), each one has been a learning experience.

At Calamity Cakes, I believe a cake should not only taste exceptional but also be a feast for the senses. I’m passionate about transforming your ideas into edible art, and sometimes even enlist the help of my engineer husband for complex designs—adding lights, movement, or even sound to create a true showstopper.

Thank you for being here and supporting my little cake adventure. I’d love to create something special for your next celebration.