The Priestley’s Gourmet Delights family very happily celebrated 25 years of creating delicious cakes for Australian cafes, restaurants and eateries.
Three generations of the Christophersen and Jones families joined with staff in Brisbane to reflect on the amazing journey of the past 25 years. And in keeping with the new age of digital audiences, the event was shared via livestream around Australia and New Zealand.
The Priestley’s Gourmet Delights goal to Simply Create Happiness was embraced by all.
To mark the occasion, a spectacular birthday cake was created, with 25 layers, to celebrate each of the 25 years.
A delicious strawberry and white chocolate mud cake with berry frosting that was enjoyed by all. Each layer represented the growth and development of the business with passion, resilience, and courage.
Never shy to innovate, invest, and embrace opportunities, the company has grown from just 8 staff in Milton to over 150 staff across Australia and New Zealand. Tony Christophersen recounted: “Our early mantra was: Yes. … Now what was the question?”
The milestone was even more poignant after the heartache encountered by the foodservice trade in 2020.
“We are really glad to have such a wonderful team, who have seen us come through this 25th year even stronger, with even more optimism for the future” remarked Marilyn Jones, in her heartfelt speech.
Marilyn shared the story from the very humble beginnings in the 90s when she had been tenaciously selling and delivering Priestley’s cakes on the Sunshine Coast under the banner of her business: Gourmet Delights.
Inspired by the opportunity from the emerging café market, and eager with enthusiasm to expand, she leaped at the opportunity to buy Priestley’s together with her husband Peter, sister Judith and brother in law Tony.
In 1995 they purchased the Milton bakery: Priestley’s Fine Foods and formed the united Priestley’s Gourmet Delights.
It’s been a remarkable journey of incredible growth with great people, suppliers, customers and an uncompromising commitment to delicious cakes that tick all the boxes for cafes, restaurants and eateries.
Marilyn concluded with: “We have so much to look forward to. Our customers are all so positive and we are sure 2021 will bring more exciting developments from Priestley’s Gourmet Delights.”
