Hi, I’m Nanette
I’m a South African-born cake artist living just outside Nashville. My work is shaped by two cultures and a lot of time in the kitchen—baking, writing, and sharing the kinds of things that bring people together. Some of it’s polished, some of it’s everyday, but all of it’s honest.
A little about me
I spent the first 17 years of my life in South Africa, then moved to California, where I finished high school, studied music, met my husband, and had our first child. Somewhere along the way, we found our way to Tennessee—and added two more kids to the mix.
These days, life looks like baking at odd hours, chasing light for cake photos, and trying to keep a foot in both cultures while raising a family. I share recipes and stories here because it helps me stay connected to where I come from, and maybe it helps someone else feel a little more at home too.
Why I bake (and share)
I learned a lot in the kitchen from my mom and both of my grandmothers. They shaped the way I think about food—with care, with love, and with a strong sense of tradition. But over time, I started teaching myself too. I learned how to decorate cakes, how to develop recipes, how to turn baking into something creative and personal. It became an outlet, a joy, and eventually, part of my work.
Baking is where I feel grounded. It’s how I mark time, process life, and stay connected to where I’m from. In South Africa, there’s a philosophy called ubuntu — “I am because we are.” That resonates with me deeply. The things I make are shaped by the people who came before me, and by the people I bake for now.
In our family, we sometimes used the word Koningskos — “food fit for a king.” I didn’t always understand the meaning when I was little (there’s a family story involving tears and some confusion about eating the king’s dinner…), but now it’s one of my favorite things to say when something feels special. Baking has become a quiet kind of offering for me—a way to reflect care, presence, even prayer. It’s humble food, made with heart, that I hope feels like something worth gathering around.
What Southern Protea is all about
This space is where I share what I love—cakes, recipes, and the stories behind them. Some posts are practical, some are personal. You’ll find homemade cakes (not for sale, just for joy), South African and Southern U.S. flavors, decorating tips, kitchen wins and mishaps, and the quiet little rituals that make home feel like home.
If you’re here for inspiration, instruction, or just something comforting to read with your coffee—welcome. I’m glad you found your way here.
Why the Protea?
The protea is South Africa’s national flower—bold, resilient, and unmistakably beautiful. It’s not delicate, but it holds its shape through heat and drought. It’s a reminder of heritage and endurance, and for me, it’s a symbol of the women who came before me: strong, rooted, and creative. I chose the name Southern Protea because it reflects both sides of my story—South African by birth, Southern U.S. by life. It’s where memory and place meet. And like the flower itself, this space is about growth, transformation, and a little bloom of beauty in unexpected places.
