Adelaide cake lovers can once again get their hands on Shirni’s elaborate celebration cakes by the slice, as owner Fatema brings her Afghan-inspired sweets back to customers through a series of pop-ups.
After closing her former shop at Plant 3 Bowden, Fatema has been running Shirni Cakes & Sweets through private orders; “but we missed interacting with our customers,” Fatema said.
Her two upcoming pop-ups are on the 5th of December at the Good Social, featuring savoury Afghan Street food and sweets alongside Shirni’s range of cakes, before she heads to the Halifax Christmas Street party on the 19th of December.
The pop-ups began following requests from customers eager to see Shirni return to a physical space.
“It’s been amazing because our customers really miss us, and we’ve just been getting so many requests, like, ‘Can you do a pop-up? We miss what you do.’”
Alongside private celebration cake orders, the pop-ups have also introduced a new way to try Shirni’s signature designs without needing a special occasion.
Fatema has started offering some of her special occasion cakes as slab cakes, allowing customers to purchase individual slices and sample different flavours and designs.
“People are like, ‘I’ve always wanted to try one of your fancier cakes, but I don’t have an occasion,’” she said.
“So that way they can come and get a slice of each, whatever.”
Shirni’s cakes are known for their relaxed aesthetic, with buttercream finishes and fresh flowers taking centre stage instead of traditional fondant decorations.
The business has also been busy with wedding orders, with Fatema saying she is booked out for most weekends as the wedding season approaches.
While her training in patisserie in 2011 and 2012 gave her a formal foundation in pastry, much of her inspiration comes from her Afghan heritage.
“We do use a lot of the traditional flavours and spices, like a lot of rosewater and cardamom and orange blossom and saffron,” she said.
“And, you know, Afghans love using dried fruits and nuts, and I incorporate all of that in what I do, definitely.”
Fatema is also part of the family behind Adelaide restaurant Parwana, with her cakes and sweets drawing on the flavours and food traditions that have shaped her background.
The next opportunity to try Shirni’s creations in person will come through upcoming pop-ups, including the Halifax Street Christmas Street Party.
A further pop-up is being planned for mid-November at The Good Social space on Wright Street, with Fatema still working out whether it will be a solo event or a collaboration.
For now, the combination of private orders and pop-ups is allowing Shirni to keep creating while staying connected with the customers who have followed the business since its Bowden days.
“I’m just really enjoying what I’m doing,” Fatema said.
Shirni Cakes and Sweets Next Pop-Ups
5th of December at the Good Social with savoury Afghan Street food and sweets alongside Shirni’s range of cakes.
19th of December at the Halifax Christmas Street Party.
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