makan 24 March 28 - 29, 2009 WEEkend LIVING

Having your cake

continued from page 23
Children’s birthday cakes, in
particular, have always been a keen
indulgence. And bespoke creations
are sure-fire ways
to impress. But
kids aren’t neces-
sarily always the
target audience.
Evelyn Tan,
a group brand
marketing man-
ager with a leading
cosmetic company,
spent close to $400
on her daughter’s
first birthday cake,
a customised crea-
tion from Canelé
Pâtisserie Chocolaterie, which is
helmed by executive pastry chef
Pang Kok Keong.
“My daughter’s only one once,”
she said. “I know she won’t even
remember it, but I felt guilty for not
spending enough time with her.”
On hindsight, she also felt it
was a little too indulgent. “I’m still
feeling the pinch.”
Angeline Ng, a training and
PR manager for Christian Dior,
spent more than $200 on both
DeSté’s Alice in Wonderland ($818).
is a 4kg, two-tier Chef Ste-
Chocolate Royale fano of DeSté
cake — featuring once made a
her daughter’s first and second nothing half-baked about the luscious chocolate 5kg Alice in
birthday cakes, custom made by wedding cake. What then would mousse and sponge Wo n d e r l a n d
a freelance baker. “I loved how an award-winning pastry chef’s with a crunchy themed cake
my daughter’s eyes lit up when own wedding cake be like? hazelnut base — for for $818, which
she saw the cakes, but I probably A 100kg, seven-tier master- her ROM (Regis- was paired
won’t do the same piece fashioned after Victorian try of Marriage) with a 30-piece
A Tea Part y crea tion by when she’s older.” architecture, scented with vio- celebration. This chocolate can-
The Patissier ($306). A friend of lets and layered with raspberry was in 2002 (when dleholder. His
mine also admits confiture (a type of confection or chef Pang was with 3kg Louis Vuit-
to living vicari- preserve) was chef Pang’s scene- Hilton Singapore). It ton chocolate
ously through her stealing conception. set her back $300. and marzi-
two children. Her This Carla Bruni of a cake was “It had vanilla pan briefcase
recent splurge was one of his most extravagant. What icing brushed on, and was deco- — filled with layers of chocolate
a 4kg sweet opus would the rest of us need to pay for rated with strawberries, blueber- mousse, and coffee and mascar-
of all things girly something similar? ries and cherries, pone cream — sold for $780.
for her daughter’s “It would cost more Chef Pang’s sprayed on with Despite the high cost, more
third birthday. than $15,000,” said wedding cake. white chocolate,” people are apparently buying into
A l s o f ro m chef Pang. she gushed. the idea of specialty cakes, even
The Patissier, the Well, I wouldn’t Besides the if they’re not exclusive.
design boasted have expected any- quality of the According to Bakerzin CEO
handmade miniature candied thing less from this cakes these con- Daniel Tay, the company sells,
interpretations of her daughter’s pastry specialist. summate profes- on average, a hundred of its 3D
favourite things — think story- He and his team sionals are known (three-dimensional) cakes a
books, handbags and ballet shoes. spent five days bak- for, it is important month, which are priced between
The price tag: A little above $800. ing, and finishing to note that such $138 and $298.
Like it is for many parents, the decorations. elaborate confec- Pun intended, the concept of
she simply wanted to afford her “Special moulds, tioneries are not custom-designed and specialty
children the extravagances she ingredients and the priced based on cakes is obviously about having
never had while growing up. cherub stand were weight alone. your cake and eating it, too.
flown in from the There is a And if it tasted as good as it
Money’s worth United Kingdom,” he added. level of artistry and skill involved, looked — and made you feel just
Unlike generic off-the-shelf birth- Marketing manager Ruth and the quality of ingredients to as special — then clearly, it was
day cakes, there is almost always Chew’s favourite by the maestro consider. worth every penny.

Bakers Quartet ... Choice picks for some of the sweetest treats
The Patissier
Tel: 6220 5565 (Ann Siang Rd) /
6737 3369 (Mohamed Sultan Rd)
Four talented female chefs, who translate
traditional French techniques into innova-
tive cakes and pastries for any occasion,
run this popular homegrown patisserie.
Helmed by executive chef Tan Siang Yee, it
aims to “provide a complete sensual feast”.
It also offers croquembouche towers and
cupcake creations. A minimum of 10 days
notice is required.
DeSté
Tel: 6536 1556 (Upper Circular Rd)
Chef Stefano attributes the high cost
of such cakes to “a strict selection of
ingredients (the best in the international
market), workmanship, and the study
of the design and textures”. But, give
him a brief idea of what you want and
let him decide the rest. The cost, he
shared, would be cheaper. “Sugar-free
cakes can also be done, but not with
just any design,” added chef Stefano,
reiterating the fact that the exclusion of
sugar will affect the texture of the cake.
Canelé Pâtisserie Chocolaterie
Tel: 6738 9020 (Shaw Centre) /
6738 8145 (Robertson Walk)
When Canelé first started customis-
ing birthday cakes (2004), chef Pang
shared, prices were relatively lower
($138 for a 2kg cake), as opposed
to the current starting price of $190
for a similar-sized cake. Charges for
workmanship varies. “Despite this,”
said chef Pang, “we are still getting an
increasing number of orders.”
Bakerzin
Tel: 6251 5550 (United Square) / 6333 6647 (Paragon) MacBurger ($80,
20cm): Chocolate
A 3D cake, CEO Daniel Tay explained, macaron sandwich
requires three working days to make. A with a 64-per-cent
customised cake will take seven days. Tay menjari dark
also emphasised the fact that customers are chocolate patty and
enjoying the best of both worlds — quality
almond chocolate
and good design. “It’s hard to break down
glaze. (You saw
the cost, but several factors, such as the fill-
ing used and the size of the cake, will help this here first!)
dictate the price,” he said.

foodNotes Instant gratification

With the opening of Cold
minute for you.
In addition, there is a deli
Snack attack can choose to have Storage’s Specialty store at section offering foods such as
Here’s another a set of four pieces Tanglin Shopping Centre, pies, quiches, sandwich wraps
reason to kick back of Winglets, a box of instant food has taken on a and pizzas, which are perfect
with a finger-licking Popcorn Chicken or one literal meaning. for a quick meal.
good snack: The new Signature Original Recipe For the first time, customers Cold Storage Specialty @
Kentucky Fried Chicken Drumstick, each served can enjoy the food they have Tanglin (Tel: 6738 6615) is a
Snackers. with french fries. Add $1 just purchased from the super- self-service store. Diners can
Some of KFC’s popular for a regular Pepsi. market instantly, with the store’s eat the fresh sausages you just enjoy their food al fresco style
side orders are now available in For snacking in the comfort free heating, grilling and bak- bought from the supermarket, at The Terrace, a private area
three affordable combos. Priced of your home, call KFC Delivery ing facilities. you can pass it to the counter just outside the supermarket.
at $2.90 each, peckish folks at 6222 6111. Don Mendoza If, for example, you want to staff and they will grill them a la SHERMAINE WONG