Melanthi (aka Neela) Arulampalam, owner of Specialty Cakes and Cookies, transitioned from a career in advertising in Sri Lanka and Australia to pursue her true passion for cake decoration. Inherited from her mother, Melanthi's love for crafting and decorating cakes led her to participate in cake competitions in the US, despite lacking a commercial kitchen. Notably, her entry in the 2022 Capital Area Cake competition, themed "Winter Wonderland," secured 1st place and was featured on the nationally televised Food Network show "Bake it till you make it."

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Facing legal constraints in the US, Melanthi persevered until a change in New Jersey legislation in 2020 allowed home bakers like her to commercialize their creations. With the necessary permits, she established a home-based baking business specializing in high-end cupcake bouquets, hand-painted cookies, and ornate wedding cakes. Using butter icing and fresh ingredients, Melanthi brings her artistic touch to each creation, showcasing her talent and dedication to the craft.