Chicago - March 14, 2007

Confections of a Sweet Tooth

The Sugar Syndicate

Some people swear by the grocery store bakery. But a Dora the Explorer sheet cake doesn’t always suit the birthday girl’s tastes (Happy 80th, Grandma!).

For a more personalized confection, there’s The Sugar Syndicate, Cathay Rayhill’s year-old company that specializes in customized cakes. She’ll whip up a champagne bottle for the party girl, a stack of Prada shoe boxes for the sole junkie, even a Vespa for the Euro wannabe.

A French Pastry School grad (with stints at Sofitel and Vanille Patisserie), Rayhill makes signature flavors in tasty combos like chocolate cake with dark chocolate ganache, red velvet cake with cream cheese filling, and white cake with key lime cream.

Choose the sweet that best fits your need. Rayhill creates everything from mile-high layer cakes to mini individualized treats (pocket-sized vanilla creme brulee, pies, cupcakes, and cream puffs).

So you can make dessert as personalized as you want it to be. Because you know what they say.

You are what you sweet.

The Sugar Syndicate (773-547-8427 or thesugarsyndicate.com). Special orders available at Grazers Gourmet, 5333 North Lincoln Avenue, at Summerdale Avenue (773-561-5500 or justgraze.com).