In my head I am convinced I am a seasoned baker that can create masterpieces that stand sky high and compete with the best of the bakers out there. I often wonder why as I still have the odd cake that flops and I have no idea why it did so in the first place. The good thing is that I am ok with it. I am a home baker and proud of it. The wonderful thing is that every now and then on my food adventures I get to work with amazing talents that pass on pearls of wisdom as they glide through the kitchen.

One such person is Tara from the lovely Maison Gateau. I spent the morning moving around this beautiful bakery listening to Tara talk as she worked. From guidance on how to ice the perfect cup cake to making gum paste and Italian buttercream, my mind was a sponge. I will definitely keep the tricks in my little black book for future baking days! Let us just hope I remember them all!

This bakery is actually my favourite because of the fantastic selection of sweet treats. Tara is constantly pushing the boundaries with her flavours. Honeycomb chocolate cupcakes to freshly baked éclairs and Macarons with flavours from your wildest dreams that line the display cabinets in the front of the shop. I mean who would of thought of mojito cupcakes and red velvet chocolate?

Tara also does exquisite wedding cakes and is a master at decorating them. So regardless of the event, birthday or prenuptial, Maison Gateau is a must visit and lets all pray she starts doing deliveries! A cupcake to my front door is something I wouldn't resist!

You can place orders for cakes, cake pops and cupcakes because every person needs a wicked bakery in their phone book! Next time you find yourself in Woodstock I would stumble upon this little piece of heaven!

Here are the details if you are on the hunt for delicious cakes:

Mason’s Press, 7 Ravenscraig Road, Woodstock, Cape Town.

-Melissa