A Sweet Surprise

House & Home magazine recently had a surprise visit from the talented baking team at Toronto’s Sweets in Style. Co-owners Philline Gutierrez and Valerie Hendricks, best friends since high school, have long been known for whipping up gorgeous cakes and confections displayed on buffet dessert tables at weddings, parties and corporate events. Fortunately for us, the ladies had baked a little extra and were kind enough to share.

Sweets in Style doesn’t have a storefront yet, but plans are in the works, so the nature of a “dessert-on-wheels” business means they only cater to the Greater Toronto Area. Still, we’ve plated store-bought cakes at one office party too many, and think the à-la-carte dessert buffet is a pretty sweet idea that could start popping up across the country.

The pretty serving ware is provided by Sweets in Style for your event, like this Tiffany-blue cake stand and pink china teacups, perfect for a wedding or baby shower — or 3 p.m. office pick-me-up! A dessert buffet is also a great option for a kid’s birthday party, where the little ones will love the fun selection of treats, reminiscent of a trip through Candy Land.

With these gorgeous cakes and treats, lovingly prepared and displayed for eager cake eaters, the question must be asked: Have we just hit upon the best new trend ever? The office dessert buffet!

H&H editors loved this gluten-free Mango Mousse Almond Meringue Crunch Cake, made with fresh puréed mango and topped with buttercream and coconut flakes.

A crowd-favourite, the Triple Chocolate Threat Cake has layer-upon-layer of premium cocoa chocolate, chocolate buttercream and chocolate ganache.

Classic Red Velvet. Enough said.

Here are owners Valerie Hendricks and Philline Gutierrez.

For more great foodie hotspots across Canada, check out the Marketplace page in the back section of every H&H issue. Or for irresistible dessert recipes to try this spring, see our Decadent Chocolate Recipes or Berry Dessert Recipes.

Photo credits:
1-5. Sweets in Style
4-8. Jenn Lawrence
9. Sweets in Style