Designer Cakes by Chedz is a product of love, and it all started with the love for baking. When she was still young, Chedette Zantipha Corazo loved baking due to her grandmother, Pureza. Pureza is the founder of the best-loved pasalubong items available in major supermarkets in and around the metro.
 Designer Cakes by Chedz – image source: courtesy of Chedette Corazo |  Designer Cakes by Chedz – image source: courtesy of Chedette Corazo |
Home Business
Chedette started the business after she graduated from the University of the Philippines-Diliman with a Hotel and Restaurant Management degree in 1973. It was mainly a baking business offering personalized cakes for customers. The cakes were made at the home of Chedette in Greenhills, Mandaue City. She continued the business even after she got married and transferred to Parian in 1979. Her home in Parian served as her bakeshop.
Chedette started the business after she graduated from the University of the Philippines-Diliman with a Hotel and Restaurant Management degree in 1973. It was mainly a baking business offering personalized cakes for customers. The cakes were made at the home of Chedette in Greenhills, Mandaue City. She continued the business even after she got married and transferred to Parian in 1979. Her home in Parian served as her bakeshop.
 Designer Cakes by Chedz – image source: courtesy of Chedette Corazo |  Designer Cakes by Chedz – image source: courtesy of Chedette Corazo |
The earnings from the bakeshop were mainly extra income since her husband was making more than enough for the family. When her husband passed away in 1990, she decided to become serious with the business since she had five children to support.
Designer Cakes by Chedz – image source: Chedz Cakes of Cebu Facebook Page
Myra's Pension House
When a space became available at Myra’s Pension House along Escario Street, Chedette took a leap of faith and opened a store at the location. The owner of the pension house offered the space to her after getting to taste her products. She invested PHP100,000 to set up the store. She also hired a baker, a cake decorator, an ovener, and two sales staff. The outlet at Myra’s Pension House operated like a bakeshop offering cake slices to its customers. Chedette added that they also accepted orders for cakes for special occasions, like birthdays and weddings.
When a space became available at Myra’s Pension House along Escario Street, Chedette took a leap of faith and opened a store at the location. The owner of the pension house offered the space to her after getting to taste her products. She invested PHP100,000 to set up the store. She also hired a baker, a cake decorator, an ovener, and two sales staff. The outlet at Myra’s Pension House operated like a bakeshop offering cake slices to its customers. Chedette added that they also accepted orders for cakes for special occasions, like birthdays and weddings.
Designer Cakes by Chedz – image source: Chedz Cakes of Cebu Facebook Page
Ayala Center Cebu
Another blessing came in 1994 with the opening of Ayala Center Cebu. The mall offered space for her and she considered it a good location to promote the brand. When they opened the Ayala outlet, the Escario outlet was closed. The Ayala location was initially operated as a retail outlet before it eventually became a café where customers can hold get-togethers or meetings while enjoying the products of Chedz. A production area along Salinas Drive in Lahug, Cebu City was also opened. They baked their cakes at the Salinas location, which also became the commissary for the other business of Lola Pureza.
Another blessing came in 1994 with the opening of Ayala Center Cebu. The mall offered space for her and she considered it a good location to promote the brand. When they opened the Ayala outlet, the Escario outlet was closed. The Ayala location was initially operated as a retail outlet before it eventually became a café where customers can hold get-togethers or meetings while enjoying the products of Chedz. A production area along Salinas Drive in Lahug, Cebu City was also opened. They baked their cakes at the Salinas location, which also became the commissary for the other business of Lola Pureza.
Designer Cakes by Chedz – image source: Chedz Cakes of Cebu Facebook Page
But, a rezoning implemented by Ayala Center Cebu in 2004 moved the café to the Food Court. The space at the new location was not as big as the old location. It was also noisy, which was not suitable for meetings and get-togethers. Due to this, she had to look for another place outside the mall.
Designer Cakes by Chedz – image source: Chedz Cakes of Cebu Facebook Page
She was able to find a location along Gorordo Avenue and moved there in 2005. The outlet opened as the Lifetime Events Depot, which also housed their wedding supplier partners including photographers, florists, and wedding coordinators. The place became a one-stop-shop for couples planning their wedding. In addition, the Gorordo Avenue location also received orders from clients who would also pick up their orders once they are ready.
Designer Cakes by Chedz – image source: Chedz Cakes of Cebu Facebook Page
Growth
The bakeshop started off as a one-woman operation and it eventually grew into a shop with 15 employees. Now it is among the most sought-after designer cake brands in the market. Cecille Anne, daughter of Chedette, took over operations in 2007. Chedette is already based in the United States and would typically return to the Queen City of the South for vacations. Even though she is already retired, Chedette continues to bake cakes in the US and even accepts orders.
The bakeshop started off as a one-woman operation and it eventually grew into a shop with 15 employees. Now it is among the most sought-after designer cake brands in the market. Cecille Anne, daughter of Chedette, took over operations in 2007. Chedette is already based in the United States and would typically return to the Queen City of the South for vacations. Even though she is already retired, Chedette continues to bake cakes in the US and even accepts orders.
Designer Cakes by Chedz – image source: Chedz Cakes of Cebu Facebook Page
Chedette considers it essential to always keep up with the latest trends to make a business grow. She added that it is important to be always prepared to adapt to changes particularly when it comes to cake designs. For instance, the trend in the past was simply meringue icing cakes. Today, the current trend is fondant cakes that come in different designs and forms. These cakes can be in any shape aside from the usual square, rectangular or round shapes.
Designer Cakes by Chedz – image source: Chedz Cakes of Cebu Facebook Page
Even after being in the business for decades, she continues to update herself together with her daughter through crash courses in cake designs. She also reads magazines to keep up with the trends in the food industry. This is particularly true when it comes to cakes. Chedette is an alumnus of the Wilton School of Cake Decorating in the United States along with her daughter.
Designer Cakes by Chedz – image source: Chedz Cakes of Cebu Facebook Page
Chedette is confident that her daughter will continue to make the business grow with the innovations she brings. These innovations can further enhance the popularity of the brand. She said she is starting the one-woman show all over again in the US, and it may be possible for the brand to make a name for itself in the US market in the future.
Designer Cakes by Chedz – image source: courtesy of Chedette Corazo
What Customers Say
Customers who tasted the products of Designer Cakes by Chedz have nothing but praises for the brand. One customer said “they created my dream cake and it was better than I imagined.” Another customer recommended the brand to anyone looking for custom cakes for special occasions. One customer simply said the cakes were “so yummy and amazing.” In fact, customers who have migrated to other countries would normally look for the products of Chedz each time they come back home. This simply demonstrates the popularity of the brand in the market. It also reflects the slogan of Designer Cakes by Chedz, which is “Basta Chedz Lami Jud!”
Customers who tasted the products of Designer Cakes by Chedz have nothing but praises for the brand. One customer said “they created my dream cake and it was better than I imagined.” Another customer recommended the brand to anyone looking for custom cakes for special occasions. One customer simply said the cakes were “so yummy and amazing.” In fact, customers who have migrated to other countries would normally look for the products of Chedz each time they come back home. This simply demonstrates the popularity of the brand in the market. It also reflects the slogan of Designer Cakes by Chedz, which is “Basta Chedz Lami Jud!”
Designer Cakes by Chedz – image source: Chedz Cakes of Cebu Facebook Page
The brand was also featured in a number of local TV shows in the Queen City of the South. You can check out the Designer Cakes by Chedz through their Facebook Page or through their website. You can also check their website for promos they may have.
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