Coming Soon: Three Messina Head Chefs Have Teamed Up to Open a Bakery in Darlinghurst

Update Friday, October 27: Shadow Baking officially opens from 8am today. You can find it at 243 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst. Get down early as it's sure to sell out fast.

2023 has been a big year for Gelato Messina so far, with the opening of its huge Marrickville HQ and the return of the brand's gelato degustation. While these new openings, plus the gelato mainstay's continued commitment to creating inventive new flavours, would have kept the team busy, three of the brand's head chefs have added even more to their plates — teaming up and turning their attention to baked goods.

Shadow Baking is the new project of Messina's chefs Tom Mitchell, Florian Fritsch and Remi Talbot. The trio linked up in 2022 to start working on flakey, buttery snacks to serve at The Cannery's monthly markets in their off-time from the Messina kitchen. And, things have been going so well since that they're now set to open a standalone bakery in Darlinghurst.

The exact details of the bakery are yet to be announced, but you can expect it to open next to the OG Gelato Messina site sometime this year. Some of the showstopping creations the team has produced for the market stall include macadamia and mandarin croissants, custard tart danishes, reuben croissant sandwiches, and pandan and coconut brioche.

You can also expect some collaborations between the team and Gelato Messina at the Darlinghurst site. Until then, they're pairing up at Messina HQ on Saturday, September 16. Shadow Baking is hosting a one-day iteration of the Messina Eats car park parties that have previously welcomed in Baba's Place, Hoy Pinoy and Ricos Tacos. The pop-up bakery will boast a special one-off kouign-amann custard gelato sando that the trio have created in collaboration with Messina.

If you want to get your hands on a next-level pastry before the Darlinghurst bakery opens, this is your chance. The food-focused festivities 1 Rich Street, Marrickville will be going down for one day only, from 8am until sold out.

Shadow Baking is set to open in Darlinghurst later in 2023. To stay up to date, head to the bakery's Instagram.