Although I consider myself a complete cake enthusiast, what I know about cake decorating is vast. Scratch that, what I don’t know could probably fit into or be found at Glasshouse Cakes and Supplies in Revesby. For the seriously cake obsessed as well as the mum or dad that wants to make and decorate cakes for their kids, the store is a treasure trove of goodies. One sunny Saturday afternoon Mr NQN and I took the drive out to Revesby. You see I had a big list of must purchases as my supplies were running low and every few months I restock.
Glasshouse Cakes and Supplies is the baby of Betty Lakkis and her husband Michael. I first met Betty when she was the facilitator at a Planet Cake decorating class and she has since branched out on her own to supply the avid cake decorating world with an enormous range of items, some of which I’ve never seen or heard of before. The aim is to appeal to the hardcore cake decorators who want the tools to make world class cakes but they also wanted to stock items that a harried mum might want to pick up to help decorate cupcakes or cakes herself.
The staff are all cake decorators and even Michael can make valued recommendations (I dare say he has probably watched Betty make more cakes than Mr NQN has mine).
There are amazing food extract oils from U.S. brand LorAnn which comes from Michigan. The flavours range from a delicious cheesecake, peanut butter, red licorice, marshmallow, champagne, cotton candy and more. The fact that they are oils means that they can be used to flavour chocolates without causing the chocolate to seize.
Holly the sales assistant shows us the latest trend – cake pop molds. You fill the mold with cake or cookie dough as per the recipe and then close it up tightly so that any surplus extrudes (you want it to be packed tightly) and you have your cake pop top. It comes in various shapes including an already made cupcake one.
She also shows us the cake pushers which you fill with cake layer and then push the bottom lever up to eat.
Another recent trend? The Martha Stewart paper flowers.
A kaleidoscope of colours
Candy writers-although we’re all waiting for someone to invent a royal icing pen…
There are also designer logo stencils-the Louis Vuitton sold out the quickest but there is also Gucci, Fendi and Coach available. You apply these to the fondant and apply the royal icing on top with an angled spatula and then peel them off.
Red Velvet emulsion-apparently all you need is a tablespoon of this for a whole cake!
The biggest sellers are the cake boards and fondant (they sell a hundred buckets of this a fortnight) . Aisles are deliberately made wide so that strollers and prams can fit through with ease. And for their frequent buyer program, you get a calico Glasshouse bag and every time you bring that in and purchase you get a 5% discount.
Icing flowers
Icing decorations
Cookie cutter heaven!
Betty’s obsession is apparently cookie cutters and it is her dream to fill the wall with them. There are hundreds of cutters here and the most unusual ones we saw was the castle cutter, a cheerleader jumping with pom poms and sweet little ballet slippers.
Ever wanted to know how to make your buttercream white? Well apparently there is a product that can turn your light yellow or off white buttercream a pristine white. Other interesting items stocked are the unfinished cakes from Mondo which most cake decorating places use to scuplt and decorate. They come in various flavours although non chocolate mud flavours need to be ordered a week in advance.
There are edible diamonds and like actual diamonds these don’t come cheap but the smaller ones are spectacular and even have facets to them. They offer great advice with purchases as everyone that works there is a cake decorator. Apparently with these “diamonds”, they can dull around 24 hours after being exposed to air so stick these on as late as possible.
Another interesting item is the Whip N Ice which is like a buttercream for those that want an easy to whip product. It is sold in the freezer section so bring a freezer bag and ice pack if you have a drive home. As for the taste? They kindly gave me some to test out at home. It’s not bad, a bit artificial, and the flavour is a light vanilla and texture is fluffy and super smooth like a cross between whipped cream and buttercream but doesn’t set hard like other buttercreams. It is a lactose free product but it does contain hydrogenated vegetable oils so you’ll have to weigh up whether you want this.
Other services include the cake stand hire which requires a $300 refundable deposit and a $45 three day hire rate.
So tell me Dear Reader, do you enjoy decorating cakes and sweets? Or are you more a savoury cook?
Glasshouse Cakes and Supplies
13B Selems Parade Revesby NSW 2212
Tel: +61 (02) 9773 5513
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Found your site through Hotly Spiced and thought I’d come check it out. I have subscribed to your feed and can’t wait to see what your next post will be!
I never knew there were so many things involved in the cake decorating world.
The closest I get to decorating a cake is icing ith with cream or quick and easy iceing. I know if I tried to decorate one it would look like a mess hehe
What a fantastic shop – looks like a toy store for the cake enthusiast!
Ahhhh looks like cake and cookie decorator heaven…..would love to wander around there for hours.
Thank you SO much for telling me about this place. I used to frequent a particular baking supplies store in Wetheril Park. One day I rocked up (an hour’s drive from my house)and they told me that they had gone wholesale and couldn’t sell to me.
However this place looks EVEN better and it’s closer to my house. BONUS!
I’m so excited, I can’t wait to visit.
How gorgeous! Im not the best baker, but I’m never one not to have a go! Im curious about the buttercream whitener, hoping they do mail order. We have a great cake decorating supply shop here in Melbourne but I literally break out into a sweat when I go in – so, so claustrophobic – you really need to know what yu want before you venture in. No space = no browsing. Looking forward to your creations!
I am more savory baker but going into one of those stores would definitely turn me into a sweet baker!
This place looks awesome….I need to find something similar in London!
Lorraine, this sounds like the kind of place I could spend hours. I adore cake tins etc and hubby already thinks I have every shape tin there is. Might have to drag him along and show him this!( especially as it is close to home) Thanks for sharing with us foodies some amazing,unusual and quirky places that we would probably never know about without your blog.
If I had an amazing shop like this nearby I’m sure I’d decorate more cakes. It looks really fun and very inspiring. GG
Ah yes, self confirmed cake decorating tragic here. What a gorgeous looking shop -those windows, sigh….
Sadly it’s a long drive to NSW so I doubt I’ll be visiting anytime soon. I do however have a lovely new deco shop nearby. I consider it a form of therapy when I visit…I go into a bit of a trance
Thank you so much . This place looks like it is keeping up with what we need. Thanks Lorraine
I could lose myself in there, and be sooooo happy!!!
Ciao
Alessandra
Wow!! What a fabulous shop!! I’m going to Sydney in a couple of weeks and staying with my brother in Revesby no less!! Ha ha, will definitely pop in and check it out
This is cake decoration heaven – thank you so much for reviewing it – I look forward to checking it out soon
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Cake decorating is a real passion of mine. I love it! Great shop by the way
I am more savoury but do love chocolate and desserts too. I am not a big cake decorator but I admire it in others. I could very well become one if I went to this shop!
Looks like a shop I’ll enjoy very much so
Definately going there next time i’m in Sydney. The deco shops up here are ok for basics but not very well supplied.
Thanks for another great post lorraine.
Oh wow, now that’s a shop I could spend a lot of time (and money) in! The one I go to near work is so packed and stacked that you can barely move in it – it’s all a little overwhelming unless you’ve gone in for something very specific.
Sweets are my passion! Although I am not much of a fan of cake pops or OTT decorations that aren’t nice to eat – I think the whole cake should be edible. It looks like a fun shop.
what a fantastic shop – i am not a great baker but this shop makes me want to get in there give it another go…..wish i was in sydney x
Wow, what an amazing store. I am more of a savoury cook, but I did manage a pretty decent banana cake over the weekend.
Swoon! Nothing as elaborate as this on the Sunshine Coast! I’ll go check out their website.
This shop looks fantastic. I have been meaning to check it out. Problem is, it looks like one of those shops that you go into buy one thing and end up buying half the shop without realising. Better start saving
I love making and decorting cakes, but I’m such an amature! I need to visit this store though. I am not on board the fondant icing phase yet, I make the cakes from the Womans Weekly Children’s Brithday Cake book, it’s all sponge cake and buttercream icing from me, with lots of lollies on top. My problem is that when ever I go to write on a cake I mess it up and it looks all wonky or squished, boo
OMFG sorry I had to swear! This store is LITERALLY my heaven! I could totally live here for the rest of my LIFE! There was a similar store like this that i went to in Hk but it was nothing like this…definitely NOT comparable! OMG OMG OMG i’m so so so jealous! I NEED TO FIND TIME TO GO TO THIS PLACE
Thanks for sharing Lorraine! I’m definitely a baker but not much of a cake decorator
and lol not really sure if i can cook anything savoury hehe
Thanks Lorraine! Sydney seems to have been lacking in good supply shops for awhile. I remember trying to make hubby’s birthday cake a few years back and there was no where to go for professional supplies. When I was in Melbourne there were endless options so I was very surprised at the time. This goes straight to my favorites.
Wow! I’ve never seen such a complete “all things cake” store before. It makes me think that even I, with little or no cake-decorating talents, might produce something worthy to be shown.
I love sweets and enjoyed decorating cakes with my son when he was small, but really, I’m more of a savory cook–but an avid admirer.
wow like a kid in a candy store
I was curious about this place as it’s not far from home. I love baking sweets but most things in there are too artificial for me. All those colours to ramp up the noise at a child’s birthday party!! :p
I’m definitely a sweets girl…to the extent that my mother worries that I won’t know how to cook “proper” food (ie. savoury meals). “You can’t survive on dessert alone, you know” she says to me. Oh can’t I…? *devilish grin*
This cake supply shop looks amazing. I am already planning when I’ll be able to take my next day off work so that I can take a trip out there
How gorgeous is that shop front with the gilded frames? <3
Okay, Dangerous territory for me here,I would have to be very careful and extremely restrained if I ventured into Glasshouse Cakes, just love anything to do with cakes and cake decorating, lol! Lorraine, did you notice if they carry 'Bubblegum Flavouring' in the LorAnn range of oils? I've been reading a few blogs that have the most amazing cakes and cupcakes eg Call Me Martha and Cupcake Occasion, I think both are based in Melbourne, Victoria. If you're really into the whole spectrum of cakes and decorating the Perth-based Cake Appreciation Society has endless ideas and even invited the Cake Boss, American Buddy Valastro to one of their events! It just makes you realise just how many talented cake decorators there are in Australia!
I love the castle cookie cutter! Very Disney-like
Here in Florida we dont have anything near this within 100 miles of where I live…….I am truly a great cook ( at least thats what I am told) however, baking and decorating cakes is my true passion. This is a toyshop I would love to visit!!
Being a total non-cake maker/eater I cannot pay a bigger compliment to the shop or to you for telling us in such detail about it than to say I could very happily spend an hour going uo and down the aisles. What an absolutely fascinating specialist store
!
What an amazing shop. I could get lost in their for hours. Great post, Lorraine.
I do like baking sweets every now and then but I’d ay I’m a more savoury chef. Although my posts of late seem to be all sweet :/ haha
I’ve looked at Glasshouse once while visiting the sushi shop up the road from it. I’ll have to go back and look more closely – I’m sure I can buy a few cookie cutters at least! Revesby is quite handy being just off the M5.
*swoons* I’m not quite sure whether I should thank you or curse you, because most of my online shopping is already for cake decorating products, and these guys DO have a website you can order from!!!
(sorry, Mr Visa Card!)
I would come out of this place much, much poorer indeed Lorraine! I too have a fetish for cookie cutters, and buy every new shape I find, and I would just wander through here for hours!
What a shop! I think I’d rather eat cake than decorate it, but I do like looking at all those weird and wonderful supplies…
That is a store where I could spend a lot of time and a lot of money! xx
If only they had a pie shop like that!
I have been looking for another cake decorating supplier in Sydney. Thank you so much for finding this shop and sharing with all of us.
Looks Fantastic- Do they have a website?
Wow, that shops looks fantastic, I would be scared to go there though….the wallet and it would mean making more cakes which the waistline doesn’t need !!
OMG I have to get to that shop, it looks amazing!
I love baking and decorating cakes, I’ve known to be slightly offended if anyone in the family buys a cake rather than asking me to make one
i think this is the best post ever! i was daydreaming in the shower yday thinking where i can find such awesome baking shops outside of hk and today you post this! made my day!
Thanks for your great review about this amazing place. I loves making some weird cakes and sweet, must be the best place to visit …
This kind of place fills me with panic, because it reminds me of my atrocious artistic/decorating skills
But I like seeing what you come up with as a result of your AWESOME such skills!
I want to go there… now.
That range is unbelievable! For AUS that is, I know, because I’ve been buying some supplies online. Thanks for this post, I know where to direct some of my Mum friends who also like baking or decorating their own cakes. Can’t wait to go now.
I absolutely love baking and decorating cakes and sweets! I do wonder if they have an online shop? I am currently searching for Panettone baking paper mould. Yes, the thing you baking the panettone in. I’m checking out as many sites as I can. I love the Red Velvet colour, only one tablespoon? And cinnamon roll flavour – imagine that in frosting!! Thanks for sharing!
I’m far too lazy to bother too much about fancy cake decorating, but I suspect this store is a little slice of heaven for someone like you!
OMG! I will be lost in that store. Knowing my bad shop-a-holic syndrome, I would probably want everything in that store. LOL..It’s been a while, and finally get to catch up on some reading. This is a perfect medicine to my really stressed mundane day. Sure puts a smile on my face right now.. xoxo, jo
I’m not a baker so if I go in there, I’ll be so lost!!! But it’s amazing how many products are out there for bakers. This place must be a heaven for bakers.
I’ve never been to visit the shop but did find them online some time back … I’ve liked them on Facebook (you should too) and I’m soon to place my first order! Can’t wait!!
Wow! This place looks incredible and I’m definitely going to visit. First item into the shopping basket will be the red velvet colouring.
Do they have an online shop?
Thanks for sharing Lorraine
xx
i would spend my whole day there..
Mind-boggling what’s to be seen/discovered in that Aladdin’s cave !!
Thank you so much for this post I am always looking for cake decorating supplies as a wanna be decorator. I love the cookie cutter section this is my latest obsession also!
oh my god!!! that place looks like absolute heaven to me….. need to bookmark this post and go on a spending splurge for my birthday…. Thanks soooo much for this post, you have just created an new item for my “Where I Want To Go” list. There it is, right up the top!!!
my friend would salivate at the pictures of these things! she loves kitchenware!
Even though I love well decorated cakes, I’ve never been about fancy cake decorations myself but this post has given me just the nudge I needed.
Hi Lorraine, what a fun post. I’m more of a savoury cook but I love to eat sweets and cakes(just not good at making them). Happy belated birthday
I could lose myself for literally hours in that kind of shop…amazing!
Ooh heaven I am so jealous.
This is the store of my dreams. Why we don’t have something like that in my country?
heaven on earth! and not just because of the cinnamon roll flavor.
Oh wow that last masquerade-like cake is stunning!
I *love* cakes, but I must admit that I prefer simple, homemade style cakes, rather than overdecorated cakes that look like anything but cake.
Brilliant shop! Thanks so much for posting about it. I know what I’ll be doing over the next day or so.
I’d definitely feel like a kid in a candy store if I was here. What an incredible selection of cake decorating items. Thanks for the heads up, I will definitely keep it in mind when I need to stock up on items.
I would have to pitch a tent and sleep there. Red Velvet emulsion. How do I get my hands on that?
Sigh. I really didn’t need to know about this place..
Im off to Bankstown tomorrow, so Revesby is only a hop & a skip.. you tempt me more & more woman..
Must remember to visit this place when I visit Sydney! I think I would go slightly insane…
Thanks so much for this story. I live in Revesby & have walked past this shop countless times but never realised what a treasure trove was inside. Next time I’ll go in & not just walk past!
This place looks like my idea of heaven. And like a place that could do real damage to my credit card balance! Lucky I live in Canberra…
We have a shop about a 45 minute drive from us called Gilda’s and they specialize in cake decorating, but they don’t hold a candle to this shop! Wowzers! I could spend hours in there and I’m not much of a cake decorator.
wow that is AMAZING love to go there and eat everything they have on sale!!!!
sounds awesome wonder if you can shop online as am in west aust. there is nothing that can beat this place, have to get some products
Hi, sorry for my english… so if i want to buy, where i can see all item you sell?
and i live in italy, if possible shipment? thanks so much!!!
Lidia
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