Missing in action in VCAT, the cheesecake man manages appearances for online event

A popular social-media baker has skipped VCAT hearing over his half-baked efforts in place of an Instagram event.

Justin Summersgill aka Cheesecake man absent from VCAT but not from his Instagram, image: Taste

A baker who calls himself ‘The Cheesecake Man’ has been slapped with a fine for his half-baked efforts in delivering an online order.

And when Justin Summersgill was supposed to be at VCAT for a hearing he was busy sharing posts of him at work at an event in Albert Park.

Lynda Lazaridis fronted appeared at the tribunal on Thursday afternoon claiming Mr Summersgill had both not fulfilled cake orders and sent out below standard products.

Due to the nature of online transactions, Ms Lazaridis had pre-paid for the food that she received damaged or didn’t receive at all.

Ms Lazaridis said that Mr Summersgill had told her prior to the hearing, that he would be “counterclaiming a day’s wage”, as he would “have to take a day off work to attend the hearing”.

Just an hour before the VCAT hearing, Mr Summersgill posted a photo with the caption: “What time is it? Cheesecake o‘clock!”

Attending to the matter, Senior Member Martin said he was satisfied that the respondent had been informed of the hearing time and date, and so continued without him.

Citing the Australian Consumer Law, which says ‘the good supplied must be of an acceptable standard’, Mr Martin granted the application to refund Ms Lazaridis.

Mr Summersgill’s absence in VCAT was noted, as Mr Martin ordered him to pay Ms Lazaridis alongside the postage and fees pertaining to the tribunal process.

Ms Lazaridis was matter-of-fact about the Cheesecake Man’s absence.

“He’s very much aware of the situation. It’s been going for a year to the day almost,” she said.