Butter Studio is a haven for cake enthusiasts in the bustling city of Singapore, offering a delightful array of standard and custom cakes. At the helm of this culinary paradise is Jenine Campos, an exceptional Filipina pastry chef with a flair for cake decorating and a passion for creating edible works of art. Jenine’s journey from being a successful online cake shop owner in the Philippines to becoming the Custom Cakes Head Chef at Butter Studio has been filled with challenges, growth, and a deep sense of purpose.
With its four outlets scattered across Singapore, Butter Studio has become a go-to destination for cake lovers. Taking pride in her meticulous attention to detail, Jenine holds the crucial responsibility of designing captivating new cake creations for the studio’s website. Thanks to the company’s successful acquisition of the Disney license, the company is now able to craft enchanting cake and cupcake designs that draw inspiration from beloved characters.
The designs go through a rigorous approval process and the opportunity to infuse the magic of Disney into their delectable treats is a privilege that she deeply cherishes, motivating her to work diligently and ensure that each creation meets the high standards set by the beloved brand.
“Our operations span across Singapore, with four outlets that require daily supplies of our standard whole cakes. Additionally, we have three kiosks to which we deliver the standard whole cakes based on orders, as well as two companies for which we design and provide cakes according to their specific requirements,” Jenine shares.
“In the morning, we do at least two flavors of our standard whole cake production and aim to complete within two hours, creating a minimum of 20 six-inch whole cakes for each flavor. Therefore, we typically have a production line of 50-75 cakes. Generally, two of my staff do frosting, while the other one focuses on decoration. This setup allows for efficient manufacturing and mass production. Following the production, my team handles the packaging of orders for online sales or pickup the next day. Sometimes, we also work on custom cakes simultaneously. After lunch, we proceed with cutting and filling the cakes to prepare them for decoration and replenishing our outlet stocks.”
As the supervisor, Jenine also takes responsibility for the research and development of designs for the website and oversees the creation of these designs. Her designs are currently featured on the website and are selling well.
Reflecting on her transition from the Philippines to Singapore, Jenine admits she didn’t know what to expect when she joined Butter Studio in 2022. “When I was hired from the Philippines, I wasn’t sure what to expect since I am an online cake shop owner and have little experience with cake mass production. At first, I was slower than the other employees and not used to the tools being used, but it was a humbling and challenging experience.”
Jenine also had difficulty adapting to the tools and techniques used in the kitchen, along with working in an environment where most of the staff spoke Chinese. The dynamic working environment was humbling and challenging as a Filipino among predominantly Malaysian-Chinese colleagues. However, she saw these obstacles as chances for personal growth and viewed them as challenges to overcome. She gradually found her voice, gained the support of her team, and evolved into a stronger and more confident leader.
While at Enderun Colleges, Jenine learned invaluable lessons that continue to shape her career. The importance of never giving up, treating everyone with respect, and maintaining humility was ingrained in her mindset. Drawing inspiration from her favorite instructors at Enderun, Jenine embraces challenges with excitement and a thirst for knowledge. She recognizes the significance of experience in the culinary world and acknowledges its transformative impact on one’s abilities.
Jenine’s entrepreneurial skills, honed through running Heaven’s Cakes, her own cake business in the Philippines, have proven valuable assets in her current position. She closely collaborates with the marketing team in her day-to-day responsibilities, leveraging her understanding of client inquiries and effectively responding to their needs. Her awareness of current trends and ability to effectively communicate with clients drives her to conduct research and development continuously. Additionally, Jenine’s experience creating large-scale cakes for prominent companies has further enriched her skill set.
Jenine’s journey exemplifies the power of resilience, self-belief, and an unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth. Her story inspires aspiring chefs and entrepreneurs, reminding them that embracing challenges, nurturing humility, and seeking continuous improvement can lead to remarkable achievements. With her passion, dedication, and willingness to go beyond her comfort zone, Jenine continues to elevate the art of cake-making and bring joy to those who indulge in her delectable creations at Butter Studio.