Thanks to Mary Luz and Mario of Sizzling Communications, Nicki of View the Vibe (@ViewtheVibe) and I were invited to CakeStar Sweet Boutique's (Twitter: @CakeStarGirlz, Facebook: CakeStar) exclusive media grand opening on Lakeshore Blvd in Etobicoke last week. Sisters Barbara Accogli and Monja Chiaravalloti have made their name creating stunning "Edible Art" around the GTA for quite some time now so I'm thrilled that this dynamic duo finally have a place to call their own because they totally deserve it. Here's why =)
CakeStar's creations have been commissioned by the reality TV show "How Do you Solve a Problem Like Maria", The Honda Indy, and the new NBC Network comedy-drama TV series "Suits" (I ♥ that show!). The sisters have also been on Rich Bride Poor Bride, BT Television, CityLine, CP24, in the pages of Canadian Living Magazine and Today's Bride, and will soon be featured on CBC's Steven and Chris Show as resident cake expert. They have also worked with area bakers at The Harbourfront Centre just past summer and broke the World Guiness Record for World's "Most Layered Cake"!
Pretty impressive, right? Anyway, back to the event! We started the night with some savoury treats provided by Barbara's husband, Chef Carmine Accogli (@TheRealBigRagu) of The Big Ragu restaurant. I've been to The Big Ragu before and I'm a big fan (see my blog post here).
Barbara, who was born in Rome and raised in Toronto, is the co-owner, baker and edible artist for CakeStar. The daughter of a pastry chef and an artist, she adopted her father's love for the kitchen with her mother's love of art and fashion at an early age. Barbara has practically lived in the family bakery for 26 years.
Barbara also co-owns The Big Ragu with her husband, Carmine
Monja, born and raised in Toronto, spent a great deal of her growing life in the family's Italian Bakery. She attended college and worked in a variety of careers only to come full circle later in life to help out at her family's bakery and discover the magic of cake art. Being self taught she learned primarily by trial and error, punctuated with a few hands-on courses and a few years later, she partnered with Barbara to continue the family business with a focus on the modern art of today's cakes.
Carmine Accogli (left), Monja Chiaravalloti & Barbara Accogli (right).
Watch Nicki's Eye on the Vibe Blog as she interviews Barbara, Monja, and Carmine. Oh yeah make sure you don't miss Nicki losing her ball. I don't think I can trust her with baking again.
CakeStar had so many beautiful cupcakes on display *drools*
I like school (yes even the ones that involve studying), but I have another thing going with School and Bakery Cafe. I like their concept, I like their decor, and most importantly, I like their food! I've been there 3 times now, and I would go again in a heart beat. It is one of my favorite spots for brunch.
I have read reviews where people claim that the food is mediocre, and the waiters are terrible. Well, obviously I can't say I agree since I just said School is one of my favorite brunch places. First of all, I like their food. If you check their menu, there is certainly a wide variety - fresh bakery goodies, fruit, crepes & waffles, french toast & pancakes, and savory plates. The portions are just right, and I don't think their prices are unreasonable at all. As for the bad service, maybe I need to go a 4th time to experience it? Not sure, because for the 3 times I went, I really didn't find a problem at all. It can get really packed and very busy during brunch there too, so I don't know about anybody else, but given those circumstances, I don't expect waiters to be standing around doing nothing, waiting to serve, or be able to appear right at your side when you need them - they are going to be roaming around trying to keep up with taking orders, bringing out food, bringing in plates, and other waiter duties. In my point of view, cut them some slack! This is not fine dining! Also, if you are in a hurry to go some place on a Sunday morning, have you considered that maybe brunch is not your thing? Weekend brunch is meant to be a relaxing meal, and not part of a hectic schedule where you only allot 30 minutes for it. You must enjoy brunch without a time constraint. Better yet, you should take a nap afterwards too. Ok, rant done. Moving on.
I have included pictures from all my 3 visits to School (some have no captions because I forgot what they are). Seeing these pictures again make me want to go back right now.
These yummy looking pastries were all on the counter to the right of the waiting area. I just want to grab and eat everything
CakeStar's creations have been commissioned by the reality TV show "How Do you Solve a Problem Like Maria", The Honda Indy, and the new NBC Network comedy-drama TV series "Suits" (I ♥ that show!). The sisters have also been on Rich Bride Poor Bride, BT Television, CityLine, CP24, in the pages of Canadian Living Magazine and Today's Bride, and will soon be featured on CBC's Steven and Chris Show as resident cake expert. They have also worked with area bakers at The Harbourfront Centre just past summer and broke the World Guiness Record for World's "Most Layered Cake"! 
