The Candied Bakery has a following that appears to increase daily and now employs 28 staff members. It has a capacity to seat 20 customers and is viewed as a popular meeting place offering first class bread, food, coffee and service.
As a young teenager Orlando was keen to become a pastry cook and after leaving school secured an apprenticeship at Cobram Hot Bake where he learnt to make a fantastic range of pastries and delicious breads.
Not long after he completed his apprenticeship the business was sold, and his employer moved to Melbourne to work at the Grand Hyatt and asked Orlando to join him.
This was the beginning of a stunning career for the young man who not only married the love of his life Toula but went to work for his brother-in-law at his bakery in Smith St, Collingwood.
Later Orlando and Toula opened their own bakery, ‘Sugar Dough’, in Brunswick.
The couple thrived as first time business owners, they were smart and worked extremely hard to produce the finest quality food.
“We’re both passionate about food and creating new products, it gives us an unbelievable vibe,” Orlando said.
“We then sold ‘Sugar Dough’ and looked for a suitable site in Spotswood which was recommended as a go ahead area resulting in our decision to open Candied Bakery.
“It was close to Melbourne’s CBD, and we saw that it lacked a bakery/café in the area and was situated under the Westgate Bridge close to Science Works. We actually haven’t looked back since.“
After 12 hugely successful years, it became time to find larger premises with customers keen to dine in for breakfast and lunch or drop by for a delicious coffee and freshly baked cake or slice.
Orlando and Toula found a brewery available around the corner and moved their business eight weeks ago, lock, stock and barrel, and they haven’t stopped since.
Toula is of Greek heritage and Orlando’s family came from Italy.
They both have the skills to produce a tantalising array of delights that are impossible to resist, such as their relatively new signature product- Tres Leche - a three milk Spanish style moist sponge that customers can’t seem to get enough of.
Candied Bakery is an Aussie bakery with something of an American twist, and widely recognised for its decadent sweet treats and bringing new customers through the door.
While Orlando has lived in Melbourne since he was 21-years-old he continues to be proud of growing up in Cobram and orders whatever he can locally, including Berrigan wheat, olive oil from Cockatoo Grove and free-range eggs from Jessanda in Yarroweyah.
“Any produce I can source from the Cobram area I buy,” he said.
“It makes every move more ethical, supporting local producers.”
It’s not too late to get your ticket
Book online today to avoid missing out on tickets for the Mad Hatters Tea Party this Saturday, June 15 between 10am and 1pm at the Barooga Community Hall.
Hosted by Community River Arts, it promises to be loads of fun and good times with delicious food and lucky prizes.
The group of ten talented artists will be introduced and outline an exciting range of activities and programs planned for the coming year.
All funds raised from the event will be forwarded to the Cancer Council’s major fundraiser - Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea.
Tickets are $20 per person and can be ordered online: www.trybooking.com/1224393
Dolly tells it like it is
Dolly Parton, one of the world’s most recognised performers, is definitely the real deal, she looks good, she is talented and isn’t afraid to it tell how it is.
Unbelievably, this amazing woman who looks more than 20 years younger than her actual age of 78 years, was born on January 19, 1946. Today she has a nett worth of $650m and continues to perform on stage where she dazzles in her stylish costumes, her glossy blonde hair and stunning figure.
Here are a few of Dolly’s views about herself and her life.
“I’m not offended by the dumb blonde jokes because I know I am not dumb, and I also know that I am not blonde.”
“People say I look happy! I say oh that’s the Botox.”
“I bought all those fitness video’s by Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda and just love to sit and eat cookies while I watch them.”
“I think that all creative people are just a little bit nuts.”
