You may have seen her famous eight-layer carrot cake on Instagram, or perhaps her seven-layer honey-misu. Now, acclaimed pastry chef Rosemary Andrews is taking her online cake business to the next level with a pop-up store, which has just opened in Malvern.

Rosemary Andrews has whisked her way through Melbourne’s top dessert kitchens, from Ezard to Tivoli Road Bakery and Dinner by Heston, before a sweet stint at Attica Summer Camp, where she was the creator of the viral “dessert trolley of dreams”.

In lockdown, Andrews started selling her sweet treats online, and before long her multi-storey cakes became an Insta-sensation. While she’s still yet to find her dream bakery site, Andrews has just opened a six-month pop-up shop in Malvern where she can test out her creations, and see how the community responds to a physical cake shop concept.

She’s called the new venue Mietta by Rosemary, which translates as “sweet little thing” and “remembrance”. She hopes it will be a reminder for people to stop and savour the sweet moments in life – especially those with cake.

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“When I started my dessert box business during lockdown, my goal was to make people feel joy, to bring them happiness,” she says. “Bringing joy to people is one of the main reasons I love being a pastry chef.”

It may be a short-term lease but there’s nothing half-baked about the concept, which features a minimalist fit-out by Design by Golden. Luxurious marble and gold features come together in the sleek space, but the focus is squarely on the cake counter, which displays an array of gorgeous gateaux, including the famed carrot cake.

“It has to be one of my all-time favourites, I just love its cake-to-frosting ratio. The cake is soft and the frosting is luscious, it’s a really nice balance of flavours and textures.”

The honey-misu, another multi-storey marvel, also makes an appearance on the menu, combining sheets of honey sponge with a dulce de leche and wattleseed creme.

For the chocoholics, there’s the two-textured chocolate cake, which brings together a mousse-like sponge with a thick layer of glossy ganache. “It has a soft, smooth texture and an intense flavour where you can really taste the different chocolates that go into it.”

The cakes may be stunning, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts, Andrews says. “Taste is the most important thing, which is something I learnt while working at Rockpool. I only use premium ingredients, including Valrhona chocolate, and for the carrot cake, organic local carrots, Australian pecans, the best ingredients I can find.”

It’s been a long time coming for Andrews and she’s excited to finally open a bricks and mortar store, even if it is just a stepping stone for now. “I can’t wait to see people’s reactions and their excitement, it’s something you don’t really get to see online.”

If all goes well, she plans to follow up with a bigger shop, complete with tables and chairs, where customers can stop and savour those sweet moments.

Mietta by Rosemary (Pop-up)
23 Glenferrie Rd, Malvern
Fri-Sun 10am til’ sold out
@miettamelbourne / miettabyrosemary.com.au

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