Her nonni always involved her in their daily life, and Interligi would often find herself peeling beans or mixing ingredients – actions that, even today, transport her back to childhood memories.

Interligi was taught how to cook and bake with knowledge passed down from generation to generation, and finds serenity in the simple processes of kneading and mixing.

She grew up in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, in a typical Italo-Australian family.

Her maternal grandparents migrated from a town near Catanzaro, in Calabria, while her paternal grandparents came from Sicily.

Interligi remembers many trips to Italy over the years, where she discovered her Italian origins, and visited grandparents who had since returned to the Bel Paese.

After graduating from Victoria University with a bachelor’s degree in education in 2017, Interligi began teaching English and Mathematics to Year 5 students at Epping Views Primary School, never forgetting her passion for baking.

“I started making cakes for various family events, starting with my niece’s birthday,” she said.

“I didn’t want to buy a ready-made cake, but I wanted to give her one that took her taste into account, and that could entertain her.

“I then created a smash cake – one that is meant to be destroyed – made entirely from chocolate, with treats inside.”

The positive responses and word of mouth reviews have prompted Interligi to create her own business, and last September, she started Smash’Em Cakes, which was an immediate success.

“Clients can customise the cakes the way they like – they choose the type of chocolate, which sweets to put inside the cake and the box,” she said.

“Sometimes they even ask me to put a bottle of champagne or a gift in amongst the sweets.

“I ask them to send me photos as inspiration for their desired colour palette, and also the text they would like on the cake.”

As Christmas approaches, Interligi has decided to make seasonally themed smash cakes, and has already received dozens of orders for Christmas cookies.

“During the lockdown, my small business kept me very busy,” she explained.

“As they were unable to go out, clients would order cakes for their at-home birthday celebrations.

“I’m extremely enthusiastic about the continuous positive feedback, but I’m still continuing my teaching career, and dedicating my free time to baking.

“Maybe in the future, if the business really expanded, I'd have to choose between the two, but for now, I’m just enjoying both worlds.”