Ashley Callaghan, who competed on season five of the Australian version of the hit Great British Bake Off television show, moved to Wollongong last year and said the experience of being in 'the shed', gave her the push to open her own store.

"Before I was quite introverted and kept to myself and then going on the show, I got to meet so many amazing people. Interacting with everyone gave me the confidence to open the shop," she said.

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Ms Callaghan, who previously served in the navy and studied to be an engineer, took up baking when she was pregnant with her daughter four years ago.

"I was just experimenting in the kitchen and then it turns out I was pretty good at it," she said.

Ms Callaghan then launched a wedding cake business in Sydney, winning a few awards along the way, before pivoting to quarantine cakes during lockdown.

"That gave me an idea of commercial quantities and what I was gonna be dealing with coming in here."

After finishing filming, Ms Callaghan moved to Wollongong, and seeing an empty shopfront on Keira Street, decided to take the plunge.

One day out from opening, Ms Callaghan and her baking assistant Kylie are preparing the cakes that will be available on day one of Treatz Wollongong, while the all pink interior and risque neon sign has been turning passers-by's heads.

Beginning with a soft launch of a limited menu focusing on coffee and cake, Treatz Wollongong will soon expand to include souffle pancakes and loaded shakes.

The extremely light and fluffy pancakes - akin to eating cotton clouds - have been popularised in Japan and are a jiggly mass of sweetness.

"Once we get our pastry machine up and rolling we're going to start making croissants, French pastries and savoury pastries," Ms Callaghan said.

Open during the afternoon and evening, Ms Callaghan said she hopes Treatz can become an alternative for those looking to stop off after a meal in town.

In addition to serving up treats such as lemon and raspberry cakes and chocolate hazelnut praline tarts in store, Ms Callaghan will also be creating custom cakes for birthdays, weddings and engagements.

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