Skip to main content
Netherlands News in English

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
Misspelled birthday cake from Hema
Misspelled birthday cake from Hema - Credit: Photo: Peter van Beveren / Facebook
Food
Weird
HEMA
birthday cake
Sylvia Bekkema
Monday, 18 September 2017 - 17:20

Share this article:

Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window

Toddler called a 'whore' in Hema birthday cake blunder

A HEMA employee who got a bit over-enthusiastic with the whipped cream when decorating a birthday cake, resulted in a 3-year-old boy's birthday cake calling him a "whore".

Sylvia Bekkema ordered a large whipped cream cake for her son Joah's birthday, according to RTL Nieuws. Her instructions were simple: put a picture of the toddler on the cake, with the text "Hoera, 3 jaar!", or "Hooray, 3 years!" in English. But due to the enthusiastic whipped cream decorations, the last letter on "Hoera" couldn't be seen at all, turning the message on the cake into "Whore, 3 years!", when translated to English.

Bekkema posted a photo of the cake on HEMA's Facebook page with the message: "Thanks Hema, this whore turned three!" The post was shared over 1,200 times in two days. Hema regrets the mistake, according to RTL. Sylvia can laugh about it.

At least three year old Joah can't read yet.

More like this

Image
April Fools: PostNL offers free door hangers to let delivery workers know you can't accept a package right now because you're showering, pooping, or your mind is wandering. 1 April 2026
Personalized rookworst, all-you-can-eat pizza: Round-up of this years' April Fools jokes
Image
HEMA recalls all play sand products due to asbestos contamination, 19 February 2026
HEMA recalls all play sand products due to asbestos contamination
Image
Hema store in Amsterdam
Jumbo owners finalize HEMA acquisition, brands to remain separate
Image
Court gavel with a statue of Lady Justice in the background
Two girls convicted of eight arsons in Alkmaar, must pay 130,000 euros
Make NL Times your top Google source

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Dutch police, municipalities warn residents to protect homes before leaving for vacation
  • Mild weather set to favor Vierdaagse walking event in Nijmegen
  • Dutch man in his early 70s found dead in hotel room in Pakistan
  • Helmet use is rising among Dutch cyclists, driven by older riders and e-bike users
  • Number of young adults participating in Nijmegen Vierdaagse walking event keeps rising

Top stories

  • Video: Man and woman stabbed in Helmond apartment
  • Fourth regional heat wave possible in Netherlands late July
  • 45-year-old Dutch man arrested after stabbing and chasing man at Swiss train station
  • Man shot inside Amsterdam-Zuidoost home
  • Second stuntman hurt after being catapulted at Zwarte Cross festival

© 2012-2026, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Change Privacy Settings
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Partner Content