Raidayna Maroun - Soiree Cakes Designer and Owner - image - image supplied by Howard Rich
designer and owner
Raidayna Maroun, loves everything French. Though unlike traditional french cake making, Soiree Cakes are edible works of art constructed from fondant, gum paste, modelling chocolate and hand-sculptured edible figurines. Raidayna's cakes are one of a kind and are becoming very much in demand.
Soiree Cakes - image credit - Soiree Events FB
I was excited to be invited to see for myself and taste some of Raidayna's delicious cakes. Not only does Raidayna make to order, but recently started offering High Tea in her shop located at Shop 1,102 Alfred Street, Milsons Point.
High Tea with delicious cakes and finger sandwiches has become a popular way of celebrating any special occasion. Whether it be a birthday, Mother's day, kitchen tea, baby shower, hen's party, engagement or just for the sake of enjoying some decadent indulgence.
Image credit - Seafarrwide
On entering the shop, Raidayna's love affair with all things French is obvious. Styled in a Louis XV/Marie Antoinette 18th century theme with a modern flair, using lots of black and gold.
Soiree Cakes - image credit Seafarrwide
Arandela black crystal and filar fabric lamp Chandeliers cast a warming glow over the black and gold tables. The simplistic decor complements the shop's antiquity feel and highlights the exquisite cakes.
Image credit - Seafarrwide
Raidayna's love for historical period objects stems back to the days when she was living in England with her parents who were very much antique disciples. Her exposure to quality, craftsmanship, antiques notably French, ignited her interest in Paris. As a little girl, she loved to create, doing crafts, arts and cooking. Her mother loved to bake and every day she would return home from school to the comforting aroma of freshly baked cakes. Cake making was initially just a hobby for Raidayna. After going to Universtiy to study design and entering the corporate world, Raidayna found her love of cakes took over her desire to do anything else.
Image credit - Seafarrwide
Later while living in New York for a period, Raidayna enrolled in a cake designer class preparing novelty cakes, wedding cakes and decorated themed cakes. After visiting and tasting some great cake products at a place run by a top cake chef, she became hell bent on opening her own shop.
Soiree Cakes - image credit - Soiree Events FB
Raidayna is fortunate to also have her mum Michelle for assistance. Michelle has previously managed Gloria Jeans franchise coffee shops and has taught her daughter her shop management skills and a few extra tips on cooking.
Raidayna and mother Michelle - Soiree Cakes Designer and Owner
We looked around the shop discovering so many intricately made cakes. The Carousel cake is eye catching and beautifully made. It would almost be a shame to eat it. No doubt many painstaking hours were put into the delicate detailing of this stunning cake.
Image credit - Seafarrwide
Throughout the shop shelves and inside the display cabinets were special figurine cakes. A figurine cake such as Ariel, Frozen or Superman can take up to eight days to prepare.
Image credit - Seafarrwide
Image credit - Seafarrwide
Image credit - Seafarrwide
Image credit - Seafarrwide
Image credit - Seafarrwide
We took our seats and were offered the High Tea menu. My daughter decided instead of tea to savour a hot dark chocolate and I went for traditional English breakfast tea.
Image credit - Seafarrwide
Out came my steaming hot tea served in a gorgeous porcelain tea cup and pot along with a cute sugar stick that slowly melts in your tea.
Image credit - Seafarrwide
Image credit - Seafarrwide
The high tea selection was elegantly displayed on a two-tiered crystal server. A selection of delicious treats consisting of delicate finger sandwiches, little cakes, macarons, mini cupcakes, ganache, vanilla crepe cake, fresh scones served with handmade jam. My daughter was thrilled with the selection and also her delicious hot dark chocolate drink.
Image credit - Seafarrwide
One of my favourite cakes on the server was the little crepe cake.
Image credit - Seafarrwide
The bigger crepe cakes are made with up to 30 crepes per cake, layered together with vanilla patisserie crème made with nutella; lemon curd; salted caramel fillings; strawberries or chocolate mousse with hazelnut dacquois.
The mini vanilla cupcakes are made to a very old recipe handed down the line to Raidayna from her great grandmother. I popped one whole in my mouth. It was light, moist with a delicious vanilla flavour.
Image credit - Seafarrwide
Image credit - Seafarrwide
More tea was served as we devoured our way through all the treats. The sandwiches were made with soft white bread, deliciously thin ribbons of cucumber, chicken, apple and mayo and egg with watercress.
Image credit - Seafarrwide
Next, we demolished the freshly baked scones topped with clotted cream and home-made Everley's Jam.
Image by Seafarrwide
Even though this high tea was a simple selection, we already felt well indulged. The little macarons went down a treat, as did the mini ganache slices.
Image credit - Seafarrwide
I'm a trifle lover from way back when my nan used to make one every year at Christmas time. The mini trifle in a glass was so delicious. I could taste the thin layers of creamy vanilla sponge and fresh raspberries.
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I could see how this simple high tea would be a hit for any celebration, especially for the ladies. There is no liquor licence at Soiree as yet, but patrons are welcome to BYO their own Champagne to add to their High Tea experience.
Out back is a quaint garden courtyard perfect for larger groups or intimate twos that wish to enjoy High Tea in a garden setting.
Courtyard - image credit - Seafarrwide
Of course, you can see that High Tea is a must if you visit. Keep in mind that once you step into this shop, though you might feel a little Parisian and will also discover some amazing cakes. Special event cakes are amongst Soiree's flagship creations. From simple but stunning wedding cakes to hand carved novelty and corporate cakes, cupcakes and decorated cookies and dessert buffets. So you can order just about any type of cakes you require to make your special celebration unique.
Image credit - Seafarrwide
We were totally delighted with our High tea experience and were in awe of Raidayna's cake making skills. I could easily envision her in her specialty cake shop in Paris one day, surrounded by a fantasy land of cakes.
