Treat yourself at Just Desserts
Christmas cakes, gift packs, festive high teas and endof-year functions – it’s all happening this month at Just Desserts.
The Sydenham cafe and cakery is buzzing in the lead up to Christmas, combining its two divisions more than ever as customers arrive in parties for breakfast and lunch and overthe-counter sales soar for speciality cakes and desserts.
The high tea has been reinvented for the holiday season with beautifully decorated mini sweet treats, Christmas mince tarts, mini truffles and a festive peppermint macaroon, while the savoury side includes classics like salmon and cream cheese tartlets, club sandwiches and smoked chicken and snow pea shoot rolls.
As usual, high teas are available Monday to Friday with 24 hours notice and remain everpopular with women’s groups and for special catch-ups.
For larger groups, a special set menu for lunch has also been developed; get in touch with the cafe to have the menu emailed out.
Just Desserts owner Andrew Clarke says it’s a hugely busy time for the cafe and cake business. Work groups and social clubs still visit regularly, attracted by the easy off-street parking, warm atmosphere and creative foods made fresh each day.
However, end-of-year catchups in December mean the large tables and sheltered courtyard are often in full swing from early morning. A boardroom upstairs offers a more private space for groups of up to 15.
‘‘A lot of our regular customers order cakes and other desserts to collect on Christmas Eve so they can enjoy them on Christmas Day, and we do a lot of treats which are great for corporate gifts,’’ Andrew says.
‘‘We can do large runs of mini cupcakes and Christmas truffles and we do a lot of iced and glazed Christmas cakes. They’re really popular so once we get past Christmas it’s just like, phew!’’
Treats to share as gifts can be viewed on the Just Desserts website – see the ‘‘Christmas treats’’ section under the ‘‘Cake Gallery’’ tab – along with options for decorative cakes.
Just Desserts began as a specialty cake boutique but in their move 10 years ago to new premises on Wordsworth St, Sydenham, decided to also include a large, modern cafe.
With a spacious, cosy interior, the cafe is now frequented by many on a daily basis. To ensure variety, there is a focus on continually updating the selection of foods.
Special dietary needs are well catered for and every Wednesday the bulk of cabinet items is made gluten-free.
Whether it’s savoury foods, sweets or hosting group functions, the cafe has developed a wide reputation for professionalism and creativity.
‘‘It’s a lot of work,’’ says Andrew. ‘‘But it’s fantastic to be able to lighten the load for people at Christmas and help them create a memorable event.’’