Both MakMak and Bakedown Cakery are, as separate entities, two of the most sought after dessert purveyors in Sydney, fueling many a sweet tooth over the years with successful pop-ups and residencies. Now the two businesses have teamed to open a store in the CBD (near QVB) that they are called MADE, a small, playfully colourful space that merges the two iconic Sydney dessert businesses into a mouth-watering offering of handmade macarons, chocolates, and cupcakes, alongside exclusive collaborations (keep your eyes peeled on Facebook for updates) and new products throughout the year.
Located at 281 Clarence Street on the street level of Gaffa Gallery, this convenient dessert hub – opened only a few weeks ago – aims at providing a physical space in which both MakMak and Bakedown Cakery can come together with all types of customers, from the casual sweet tooth to the corporate. The latter of whom represent the fastest growing part of MakMak’s business, often requiring branded products tailored to customer needs.
MADE also aim to engage with employee benefit schemes of nearby corporate businesses to provide ongoing discounts to their clients, increasing access to tailored-made packages which range from custom-made cakes and branded macarons to bespoke corporate gifts and flavour creations.
“Sydney can be a competitive and fickle market for dessert companies so being able to harness each other’s strengths allow us to do more than we could on our own”, offered MADE co-founder Carlos Heng, who created this store alongside Jen Lo.
With Bakedown’s premium quality single-origin chocolates, cupcakes, and cakes, paired up with MakMak’s strong reputation and considerable retail experience, we’re expecting some pretty big things to come from MADE, especially considering the current menu.
MakMak’s famous Macarons, which were ranked number one in a blind test by the likes of Peter Gilmore and Christine Manfield, are of course one of the highlights on offer, with three seasonal collections per year plus special occasion limited editions available for $3.50 each ($20 for 6; $39 for 12). Moving through the menu, you’d find 36-Hour Choc Chip Cookies topped with Maldon Sea Salt from $4 each; Macaron Cakes, which are basically macarons in cake form from $120 for 10 people up to $620 for 60 people, available in Salted Caramel, Nutella & Salted Caramel, or Strawberry Rose & Almond Praline; Artisan Chocolates with seasonal flavours from $2.50 each; Hand-Painted Chocolate Blocks ($10 for 120 grams) available in customisable colours with add-on options like crispy Callebaut pearls; and Cupcakes including a “flavour of the week” for $5.50 each ($30 for 6; $55 for 12).
MADE is located at Arcade One, 281 Clarence Street on the street level of Gaffa Gallery and is open Monday to Friday 10am – 7pm.
Images supplied and used with permission.
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