Via Del Corso Pasticceria e Caffé

Office and home catering the Italian way – cake tasting event: Via Del Corso Pasticceria e Caffé

How many times have you been disappointed with the choice of cakes on offer at an office event? Well, Via Del Corso Pasticceria e Caffè in the Sydney CBD on Level 5, Westfield is aiming to erase food dissatisfaction from future office gatherings by inviting staff responsible for catering decisions to cake tasting events. I recently attended one such event on behalf of Sydney Scoop readers (you can thank me later when you become the office hero).

On arrival, each attendee was warmly welcomed with the offer of a coffee by the café’s marketing consultant Ms Lindi Glass from Sharper Marketing and Nancy, a friendly knowledgeable employee at the café. Nancy then took us on a tour of the café’s display counters.

In addition to an array of authentic Italian single serve cakes including tiramisu and baked ricotta cheesecake (most can be made into whole cakes in various sizes to serve 12 to 50 or 25 to 110 depending on whether you want a round or square shape), we were shown a wondrous selection of handmade Italian pastries, chocolates and fruit jellies, a gelato bar, and macarons in a variety of flavours. It would be hard not to find something to cater to most tastes of those attending an office event or home celebration (even allergies can be taken into account).

Once Nancy had answered all our questions, it was down to the important task of tasting. Two large 8 inch cakes (made to serve 12 generous slices) were presented to us; both looked inviting and very tasty. First up was the raspberry mousse cake bursting with a bright cheerful colour. For me this cake was the perfect antidote to a hot February afternoon as it exuded a fresh raspberry tang that contrasted well with the light creaminess of the mousse. I was very smitten. For the chocoholics, Via Del Corso then presented a rich decadent chocolate panna cotta cake with a crushed hazelnut base. Everyone at the event except me chose this as their favourite of the two. It was certainly delicious and the chocolate custard had a surprising lightness to it that countered the rich depth of flavour. In my mind it was more of a winter treat and the raspberry mousse was a clear summer winner, but for some, chocolate wins every time.

Before leaving, we were reminded how easy it was to place orders on line two or three days in advance of the event to ensure our requests would be ready for the day (or for impromptu events we could drop in to see what was available at the cafe), and that delivery is offered for CBD locations. As a final important consideration, Lindi reiterated that the café’s friendly staff are happy to provide assistance with selections to suit all budgets and events, as well as catering to any allergies that office colleagues may have. We all departed with much food for thought of where to come for the next office meeting/morning tea, or home celebration.