Growing up in California as part of an immigrant family, my brother and I were deeply influenced by our Australian roots. Although we moved to the U.S. when we were young, our trips back to Australia and our parents' strong ties to the culture kept us connected to our heritage. One of our fondest memories is baking pavlovas with our mother, a tradition she brought with her from Australia. Pavlovas became a symbol of our family’s bond, and it was always a joy to see this beloved dessert, unfamiliar to many in the U.S., win over friends and neighbors at gatherings.

In 2016, we lost our mother to cancer, but the legacy of her pavlova lived on. Her passing deeply impacted me, and I began to consider how I could honor her memory while providing for my family. The idea of starting a pavlova bakery felt like the perfect way to do both. This grant would be instrumental in helping me turn this dream into reality, allowing me to share the joy of pavlovas with a wider audience and create a lasting tribute to my mother’s memory.