Like many, Suzie Hutchins turned to baking during the pandemic. But while most stopped at banana bread, Hutchins says she “knuckled down”. She turned her Fitzroy apartment into a cottage bakery and founded cake and sweet pie delivery service, Cakehouse. The brand grew by word-of-mouth, eventually moving operations to a commercial kitchen at Hardimans Hotel and popping up at markets including Melbourne Farmers Markets and Stay Soft Studio. With demand at markets only rising – “People come back for pies every week” – Hutchins knew
it was time to step out of shared kitchens and into her own. In August, she’ll open a bricks-and-mortar bakery at 336 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. “I always thought you needed a lot of money and capital behind you to do things you love, but I’m realising anyone can do it. You just need to keep at it,” says Hutchins. The chef of 20 years also previously opened Shadow Wine Bar & Dining Room in Perth after working as a savoury chef at Melbourne restaurants including
Crown’s Number 8 and Little Creatures Dining Hall. The menu at the Cakehouse store will “stay true to what people know and love,” Hutchins says. That means generously portioned bakes that lean into American baking traditions and incorporate produce from small farms. Expect the best-selling sweet and sour cherry pie made with Riseborough cherries from Cherry Hill Orchards in Yarra Valley, and the OG apple pie made with Zooie’s Apples from Main Ridge. Plus, maple pecan pie, salted-honey pie and s’mores pie topped with towering
peaks of marshmallow. Decor will be kept simple and honest. “I just want people to feel welcome and comfortable to gather,” Hutchins says. Going bricks-and-mortar is a bittersweet farewell to markets, though Hutchins still hopes to pop up occasionally at Melbourne Farmers Markets in Carlton, Coburg and Alphington. “The hardest thing about the shop will be missing the other stallholders,” says Hutchins. “That connection grounds you. It’s been so inspiring for me.” Cakehouse is expected to open at 336 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy this August. cakehousecollective.com@cake_house_collective
Cakehouse Collective, Suzie Hutchins, Fitzroy, 336 Brunswick Street, bakery opening August, American baking, sweet and sour cherry pie, Riseborough cherries, Cherry Hill Orchards, OG apple pie, Zooie’s Apples, Main Ridge, Melbourne Farmers Markets, Hardimans Hotel, Stay Soft Studio
Permanent?? so does that mean they’re stopping all the market stuff or what lol
I saw cherry pie and immediately got mad I’m not in Fitzroy. Like how are they already doing a whole storefront already, pandemic really said get a pie shop
Wait is this the place that used to be at Hardimans Hotel? I swear I went there once like 2 years ago and it was called something else. Also “American baking traditions” sounds like they just put too much sugar on everything but idk
Good for her but I don’t buy the “anyone can do it” thing… like yeah sure if you already have a chef background and 20 years experience. Also “bricks-and-mortar” is such a random phrase, I thought it was already permanent at the markets? I guess I’ll check it out for the s’mores pie though.