General News
15 November, 2024
From strength to strength
Referred to as The Cheesecake Man with over 6000 followers on Instagram, former Avoca local Justin Summersgill has built a sweet reputation for his treats, but his social media presence is only a slice of his journey.
Born in Ballarat before moving to the Pyrenees town when he was 12, Mr Summersgill said he developed a love for cooking at an early age.
“I was always passionate about food — I loved cooking with my mum in the kitchen,” he said.
“I started working at The Olive and Lavender Store and the then called Shear Delights Bakery in Avoca. I quite enjoyed my time there and I had some really good bosses.”
After dropping out of his university degree in veterinary science, Mr Summersgill decided to join the food industry by relocating to Tasmania and earning qualifications in patisserie and commercial cooking.
With over five years of experience, Mr Summersgill recrossed the Bass Strait to fulfill his ambitions of becoming a private caterer.
However, after working in various roles across Bendigo, Ballarat and Melbourne, Mr Summersgill decided to step away from cooking feeling burnt out and underappreciated.
“I left the industry because it was wearing me out, it was a lot of long hours and low pay,” he said.
“I was doing over 60 hours a week so I left to go into door-to-door sales.”
Still motivated by his love for food, Mr Summersgill returned to Maryborough in 2016 to co-manage The Flag Bar and Lounge on High Street alongside childhood friend Bryce Gabell.
The venture didn’t last though, with the pair forced to close the business leaving Mr Summersgill in a precarious position.
“I didn’t have a lot of money in that period and I ended up homeless, I was living in a tent for a fair bit in Bendigo,” he said.
“I was always able to find odd jobs to get by but I wasn’t able to make enough money to get back into the housing market.
“When I had a bit of money I would stay in hostels in Melbourne and if I didn’t have much money then I would live in a tent.”
Mr Summersgill hit his lowest point after he lost his brother to suicide in December 2019. Looking for motivation to continue his career, he reached out to chef Dominique Rizzo who referred him to a cafe opportunity in Norfolk Island.
While at his new job, Mr Summersgill began making cheesecakes as a side hustle, where locals adorned The Cheesecake Man monicker to him.
Mr Summersgill has continued to build his online persona since returning to Victoria and in 2021, he launched the AmazeApp, which has assisted nearly 100 chefs in starting their own private catering business.
Mr Summersgill said his hardships make his recent success all the more rewarding.
“I don’t think I would be where I am today without a bit of struggle — I think if you have an easy life it doesn’t mean as much if you have everything handed to you and you wouldn’t work as hard as you would,” he said.
“When COVID hit, a lot of chefs left the industry because they lost their passion which is the same reason why I left the industry.
“The AmazeApp aims to allow chefs to start their own private share business which is quite lucrative.”
AmazeApp has also helped raise money for local homelessness and mental health charities through events and auctions.
“We like to support local community organisations and local charities because it’s just our way of giving back,” Mr Summersgill said.
“When I was homeless there were a lot of organisations that helped me like Ballarat Soupbus and Business of Smiles.
“My life would have been very different if it wasn’t for these great organisations who were out there when I needed them.”