Cover image via Seri (Provided to SAYS)
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When Seri first stepped into the kitchen, becoming a baker wasn't on her mind
Seri.
Image via Seri (Provided to SAYS)Born in Bintulu, Sarawak, and now based in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, she baked out of curiosity, tinkering with recipes and rediscovering the traditional cakes she grew up enjoying.
Yet it was one cake that kept calling her back: kek lapis.
Precise, colourful, and deeply rooted in Sarawakian culture, it stopped being just a dessert and became… a canvas.
Having always loved batik, she one day wondered, "What if I painted batik… on a cake?"
That tiny "what if" became the foundation of her batik kek lapis, a marriage of art, culture, and taste.
Three years ago, she gave it a shot. The first attempt wasn't perfect, but it was the start of something new.
"At that time, painting batik on kek lapis didn't even exist yet," she told SAYS.
"But that gave me the courage to keep improving."
For Seri, kek lapis isn't only about Raya spreads or wedding trays. It's home. It's childhood.
Growing up in Sarawak, the cake was everywhere during celebrations. Ironically, moving away made her love it more.
"I realised it's hard to find a really good kek lapis.
"So I started baking it myself, not just to enjoy, but to keep the tradition alive," she said, a passion that also led her to become a baking instructor, guiding others who want to learn the craft.
Unlike the traditional versions, Seri's cakes can take up to 10 hours
The difference is that she incorporates geometric patterns into the layers and hand-paints batik motifs on top.
"It's very detailed work. One small mistake can affect the whole cake," she explained.
But when the layers align and the batik comes alive, the result is nothing short of mesmerising.
Seri's ideas often come from scrolling online. Sometimes it's a fabric swatch. Sometimes it's a colour palette online. Sometimes it's another baker's work that sparks her "hmm… but what if kek lapis?" brain.
"I enjoy experimenting. Each pattern or flavour feels special in its own way," she shared.
Of course, not every cake makes it to the table. One of her most unforgettable mishaps happened when she baked late into the night for a customer. By 11pm, the cake was ready, only to slip onto the floor.
"I cried so much at the time," she laughed now.
"But now, it's a reminder not to rush, and to always give myself enough time."
Yes, Seri's kek lapis look like edible art. But to her, the beauty isn't just skin-deep.
She wants people to slow down, to notice the patience baked into every layer, and to remember that culture can live in something as humble as dessert.
"I hope people can appreciate the time and effort that goes into making each cake and at the same time be reminded of our tradition, especially the beauty of batik," she shared.
Check out Seri's cakes on Instagram or place an order on her website.
