By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
What do a singer-songwriter, pop princess and a royal have in common? While their choice of on-stage outfits will vary, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and The Duchess of York all share the creative and whimsical cake designs of Sydney’s own celebrity baker, Gabriela Oporto.
From custom creations inspired by pop culture to delicate, allergen-friendly masterpieces, Gabriela has baked her way into the hearts (and stomachs) of some of the world's most famous faces.
Gabriela's love for baking began at a young age. Growing up in Sydney before her family moved to a Chilean farm, Gabriela was captivated by the sweet world of baking. As a child, she would often stop to gaze at bakery windows, mesmerised by the pastries on display. So, it’s fair to say her passion has risen like the perfect sponge!
She learned from family and local mentors, whisking away afternoons perfecting her meringue and, later, collecting cherished Italian recipes from Nonnas during her time studying in Italy. Gabriela’s true calling came when she returned to Sydney, armed with a degree in Nutrition and Food, and the dream of creating her own cake business. In 2019, she opened her first cake shop, Bakealicious by Gabriela, in Willoughby.
Ed Sheeran: Darling your cake looks perfect tonight
Ed Sheeran and his entourage were among the first big-name travelling celebs to enjoy a taste of Gabriela's artistry with her award-winning Victoria sponge cake. Gabriela’s version featured fluffy vanilla sponge layers filled with homemade raspberry coulis and luscious mascarpone cream. The cake was crowned with fresh, in-season berries. It wasn’t just A-list-approved. In fact, Gabriela’s Victoria sponge also recently won silver at the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show, proving the treat to be worthy of both occasional sugar aficionados and award-winning artists.
Bake it off for Taylor Swift
Following this, when Taylor Swift's team needed a show-stopping dessert for her Sydney Tour in early 2024, they similarly turned to Gabriela, captivated by her portfolio of allergen-friendly options. To craft a cake worthy of one of the world’s most watched women, Gabriela took a chance and baked a treat inspired by Taylor’s reported favourite – the Milk Bar Birthday Cake - but with a Chilean twist.
She layered a playful confetti sponge with traditional Chilean treats (like mil hojas, the Latin American take on mille-feuille), adding puff pastry horns filled with dulce de leche buttercream. Topped with pastel glitter and a purple flower (a nod to the on-trend tone that dominates many of Taylor’s Eras ensembles), it was a truly sweet spectacle that fulfilled T Swift’s ‘Wildest Dreams’.
Whisking up Royal magic for the Duchess of York
Most recently, Gabriela’s whimsical designs took a regal turn when she crafted a cake for Sarah, Duchess of York, inspired by the Duchess’s beloved children’s book character, Budgie the Helicopter. The cake, unveiled at a Dymocks book signing in Sydney, brought Budgie to life in cake form, capturing the Duchess’s enthusiasm for storytelling and her connection to childhood memories.
Gabriela’s Budgie cake, which celebrated the Duchess’s recent publishing success, was a highlight of the event and a true labour of love.
"Creating something special for the Duchess was a real honour,” she says. "It was an honour to create something special for the Duchess of York. I wanted to capture the spirit of her Budgie character and bring a touch of royal magic to her Australian book tour. I also read these books when I was a child so they brought back sweet childhood memories for me."
A sweet dream come true
For Gabriela, the journey has been filled with ups and downs (anything, but a piece of cake, if you will!). However, her dedication to her craft and her community remains unwavering. From starting her business in a tiny apartment kitchen to now overseeing a bustling shop with nine team members and refrigerated delivery vehicles, Gabriela has demonstrated that hard work, grit and quality ingredients are essential ingredients for success. She’s expanded her clientele to include not only corporate clients and local foodies but also global celebrities who trust her with their sweet celebrations.
She hopes to continue growing her business and is even eyeing a location in Sydney’s CBD, envisioning a place where people can savour her creations over coffee while also giving back to the community. Inspired by her experiences volunteering at an orphanage in Chile, Gabriela aims to extend her passion beyond the bakery to make a meaningful impact on others.
The fact that her slices have been enjoyed by some of the world’s biggest celebrities? Well, that’s just icing on the cake!
