South Australian cake making business Heidelberg Cakes, in Stepney, goes into liquidation

A South Australian cake making business, which specialises in wedding cakes, has fallen into liquidation, leaving dozens of celebrations in the lurch.

• Adelaide business closures

A South Australian cake making business, which specialises in wedding cakes, has fallen into liquidation, leaving hundreds of brides in limbo.

Heidelberg Cakes, in Stepney, was abruptly shut down on Wednesday, with about 15 employees now out of a job and up to 200 wedding orders over the next six-to-eight months still outstanding.

Executive chef James Schmidt, who ran the business for almost 30 years before its sale in 2021, said he was “devastated” for the brides who might not get their cakes in time.

“I’m still in shock – it’s crazy,” he said.

“We don’t know what’s happening … liquidators just came in yesterday and told everyone we’re out of a job.

“It’s very sad, but I feel for all the people we’ve let down.”

Mr Schmidt and four other staff members will work unpaid over the next couple of days to fulfil six wedding cake orders this weekend.

“I couldn’t do it to the brides this weekend, just days out from their wedding,” he said.

Mr Schmidt said the business was still in the process of contacting customers and future brides and grooms about their orders.

Carolyn and James Schmidt from Heidelberg Cakes. Picture: AAP/Morgan Sette

Mr Schmidt, who sold the business in 2021 but stayed on as chef, said he was “devastated”. Picture: Calum Robertson

Mr Schmidt and his wife Carolyn bought the business, which specialises in gluten-free cakes, in 1993 and operated it successfully until 2021, when they sold it to Vivid Pastries, the owner of Mr Cheesecake. Mr Schmidt stayed on as chef but Carolyn left the business.

Mr Schmidt said staff were still owed two weeks’ wages.

The owner of Vivid Pastries confirmed to The Advertiser that the company has fallen into liquidation, saying that “labour costs are high”.

He said he’s currently in discussions with the liquidator, Mark Lieberenz.

Ms Schmidt shared the news of the business’s collapse on social media on Wednesday night, describing it as “very sad news”.

“There are 6 weddings this weekend which the liquidators have allowed James and his staff to come in and work for free so these couples won’t be let down,” she said.

“It’s a very sad and strange feeling. So many sleepless nights and long days that we work so hard on our business. We are devastated for the customers that will not receive their cakes.”