Jen Smith Cheesecake in Carrington is Newcastle's must-visit Japanese pancake cafe

You may remember reading our story last year about Jen Smith, a talented Thai born, now Newcastle local who was making Japanese cheesecakes and pancakes in a trendy pop up kitchen in her backyard, which. may I add, people were queuing on her Edgeworth driveway for. 

Now, just a year later, Jen and her husband Luke have launched their own official cafe – Jen Smith Cheesecake – located on the main street of Carrington. Since opening her own shop on  March 14, the cafe has quickly become one of Newcastle's highly talked about destinations. 

Jen and Luke

Now Jen Smith Cheesecake is filled with bookings every weekend, with people driving from Sydney, Shellharbour, Tamworth, and the Central Coast to try these delicious Japanese-inspired desserts.

If you're looking to try something delicious and different here in Newcastle, then Jen Smith Cheesecake should be your next spot to check out too. 

From Backyard to Storefront

With no culinary background, Jen did what a lot of self-taught bakers do: she found her community online. She joined Thai bakery groups on Facebook, watched, learned, and started experimenting. Brownies first. Then, one day, she gave Japanese cheesecake a crack. 

"I had no idea how to bake. But I just think, you know what, I can learn."

In 2023, she baked one of her cheesecakes for her friend, a business owner in Newcastle, who told her plainly “ this is too good not to sell. Nobody else in Newcastle is doing it”. 

With her can-do attitude, Jen ran her operation from her backyard for almost a year,  four or five tables under cover, the occasional overflow onto the garage forecourt, every pancake made fresh to order. It was chaotic and charming in equal measure, and with the courage to start posting her creations to social media, her following grew and her unique offering started going viral among the community. 

The bookings kept coming, so naturally with such successful traction, owners Jen and Luke knew it was time for something bigger. 

The Official Jen Smith Cheesecake Cafe 

Jen Smith Cheesecake in Carrington is deliberately unpretentious. Jen has worked hard to keep the atmosphere feeling like her home where it all started, welcoming, unhurried and personal. She still comes out of the kitchen to check on tables, still talks to customers, still wants people to feel like they're visiting a friend rather than eating at a cafe.

The menu centres on her signature Japanese pancakes, tall, wobbly, souffle-style, sprinkled with seasonal fresh fruits and served with maple syrup, salted caramel, and other specialty sauces curated by co-owner and chef Luke. Originally from Bolton, UK, with a long standing career in hospitality and Cheffing, Luke is the experimental mind of the business, working on new flavour combinations that elevate Jen’s already incredibly tasty pancakes and cheesecakes. 

All of which are made from scratch and fresh with every order, Jen and Luke take extra pride in making sure each plate is checked to be of the perfect sweet and fluffy consistency, every time. 

This June also brings a new menu featuring toasted Japanese cheesecake, a variety of cheesecake slices to eat in or take away, and more savoury pancake options that customers have been requesting. 

More than Just a Cafe

When I asked Jen about what she loves most about the job, she didn't talk about the food, or the growth, or the bookings.

"Sometimes it's not about money. Sometimes it's about connection, I want to see people smile”. 

She wants Jen's to be the kind of place you come to take a moment and enjoy something out of the ordinary.  Somewhere you sit down, slow down, and let a plate of these delicious pancakes do its work.

"This connection I can have with people through my food. It's something that I love and it's something that I am very passionate about”. 

Jen’s incredible start up story, from backyard to cafe, is an extra reminder for us all that it is never too late to try something new, teach yourself a new skill, and make that passion your job. 

Jen Smith Cheesecake is open Thursday through to Sunday. Bookings are strongly recommended, takeaway and walk-ins are welcome but tables fill fast.

Editor’s note: This article was produced independently by the HUNTERhunter editorial team and is not a paid or sponsored feature.