6 of our favourite Australian bakers for photo-worthy cakes
WORDS BY FASHION JOURNAL
Sugary goodness.
Cakes are a long-standing celebratory tradition for a reason. Despite the embarrassment that inevitably comes when others are singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to you, there’s something special about the ritual of blowing out the candles, cutting uneven, frosting-laden slices and doling them out to all of your loved ones.
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And in case you’ve missed it, Australia’s baking talent is seriously impressive. For those who are notoriously difficult to buy for, bakers across Melbourne and Sydney are whipping up all kinds of extravagantly decorated, delicious creations that are almost too pretty to eat. Scroll on to find six of our favourites.
Vege Mamma
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Valentine Fodor is the brain behind Vege Mamma, the Sydney-based baker whipping up artfully decorated cakes featuring “eclectic assortments of meringue, frosting and unsuspecting flavour combinations”. She learnt the art of baking from her French father, but Valentine’s creations are more Dr Seuss-inspired than classic pâtisserie. Her books are currently closed, so keep an eye on the Vege Mamma Instagram for future availabilities.
Peaches La Creme
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For all manner of beautiful desserts, hit up Melbourne-based baker Anneliese Brancatisano (aka @_peacheslacreme__). Specialising in extravagant multi-layered cakes covered in bows, cherries, ruffles and flowers, Anneliese’s creations taste as good as they look. One of her most recent wedding cakes was for designer Caitlin Mullaly and featured chocolate, red velvet and vanilla sponge, all in one.
Cob Street Cakes
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Based in Caulfield North, Melbourne, Julia Bell’s cake repertoire is extensive. She specialises in tongue-in-cheek lettering (think ‘Happy Birthday Sexy’ and ‘Oui Oui’) and meticulously piped frosting, but can also make novelty kids’ cakes, photo-worthy cupcakes and, most importantly, penis-shaped creations for hens’ parties.
Good Good Cake
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The work of baker Philippa ‘Pip’ O’Shea would be well-received at Sandy Liang’s birthday party. Reminiscent of the designer’s girly aesthetic, Pip works with satin bows, fresh flowers, exaggerated piping and a muted colour palette for an offering that looks about as sweet as it tastes. It’s remarkable, really, when you consider she is completely self-taught when it comes to decorating. As for what’s inside, she nails that too. Flavours will suit any palate, regardless of maturity, starting with ‘vanilla funfetti’ and ending with lavender and yuzu.
Zee Scott
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A true triple threat, Zee is a marriage celebrant, emcee and cake artist, and a master of all three. She considers simple as best when it comes to the inside of her cakes, working with straightforward flavours like chocolate and vanilla. But her work is far from understated. Her cakes are vibrant and towering with intricate piping, and colour palettes that play as much with muted tones as bright. Understandably a very busy woman, she’s been known to book out for custom cake orders, so it’s best to be organised and order well in advance if you like her work.
Mali Bakes
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The Fashion Journal team has had eyes on baker Patchanida Chimkire since she first started creating under the name Mali Bakes. Her work is vibrant, retro and almost cartoon-like, as though someone drew a picture of a wedding cake for children’s TV then decided to make it more colourful. There’s a maturity to each slice though, as Patchanida works with combinations that you’d expect on the menu of a hatted restaurant. Olive oil and ricotta cake is filled with blackberry and fennel jam, sea salt and Banksia honey buttercream, while a simple vanilla cake is soaked in fresh milk and filled with brown butter custard, brown butter crumb and vanilla bean cream cheese.
For recipes to make your own sugary creations, head here.
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