Black Star Pastry: Owner, Watermelon Cake & Sydney Locations

If you’ve scrolled past a photogenic pink-layered cake on Instagram, chances are it was a Black Star Pastry creation. The Sydney bakery built its reputation on the Strawberry Watermelon Cake, a dessert so popular that over one million slices are served yearly from stores across the city. The man behind it, chef Christopher Thé, launched the business in 2008 and eventually sold it — but the cake kept drawing crowds. Here’s what to know before you line up at one of Sydney’s most talked-about pastry shops.

Established: 2008 · Known for: World’s most Instagrammed cake · Key product: Strawberry Watermelon Cake · Locations include: Newtown, CBD, Burwood, Macquarie · Delivery: Sydney available

Who owns Black Star Pastry?

Christopher Thé established Black Star Pastry in 2008 after training at acclaimed Sydney restaurants including Bel Mondo, Claude’s, and Quay (Unox Casa interview). He sold the business in 2018, with the new owners maintaining the chain’s expansion across Sydney.

The current owner’s identity is not publicly confirmed through verified sources. Thé himself moved on: in 2023 he launched Hearthe, a café in Sydney’s Inner West at 269 Australia Street, Stanmore (Hearthe press release). That location opened after Thé took over Mrs Underwood café in May 2022. For those familiar with his earlier work, Hearthe continues his approach of pairing savoury and vegan options alongside pastries and cakes.

What is Black Star Pastry famous for?

The Strawberry Watermelon Cake is Black Star Pastry’s world-famous signature item, with over one million slices served yearly from Sydney stores (The Galeries venue site). The cake features two layers of almond dacquoise, rose-scented cream, watermelon, topped with strawberries, pistachios, and dried rose petals (Black Star Pastry FoodStorm). It’s been called Australia’s most instagrammable cake.

Signature Strawberry Watermelon Cake

The recipe combines floral and fruit elements in a gluten-free format, though the official product page notes it is prepared in a kitchen that handles gluten — important for those with coeliac disease or severe gluten intolerance.

Other popular items

Beyond the signature cake, Black Star Pastry offers tiered celebration cakes suitable for birthdays and weddings, available via enquiry (Black Star Pastry FoodStorm). Seasonal limited editions rotate through the menu.

Who is the head chef of Black Star Pastry?

Christopher Thé was the original pastry chef and creator of the signature cake. He trained at notable Sydney venues before launching Black Star Pastry in 2008. After selling in 2018, Thé’s continued involvement with the brand is unconfirmed — visitor reports from Tripadvisor note a “Chris” at the Rosebery location, but this is not independently verified.

For authoritative information about the current head chef, direct inquiry to Black Star Pastry would be needed — the official site does not list a current chef profile.

Black Star Pastry locations

Black Star Pastry operates at least nine stores across Greater Sydney, spanning the CBD, inner suburbs, and western residential areas. The official location list on the brand’s website provides addresses and hours for most outlets.

Newtown flagship

The Newtown store at 277 Australia Street is a flagship location, ranked #9 of 406 coffee and tea spots in Sydney on Tripadvisor (Tripadvisor). Hours run Mon–Wed 9:30am–5pm, Thu–Sat 9:30am–7:30pm, Sun 9:30am–6:30pm.

CBD, Rosebery, Burwood, Macquarie outlets

Stores also operate in Chatswood, according to the official site, though full address and hours details were not available at time of publication. All locations offer hot drinks alongside their cake selection.

Black Star Pastry cakes and menu

The menu centres on the Strawberry Watermelon Cake, with additional celebration cakes, seasonal offerings, and hot drinks. Dietary options exist but require per-item verification.

Watermelon cake details

The signature cake is constructed with two layers of almond dacquoise base, rose-scented cream filling, fresh watermelon slices, and a top layer of strawberries, pistachios, and dried rose petals. The cake is marketed as gluten-free but is produced in a kitchen that processes gluten — a distinction that matters for medically required dietary restrictions.

Vegetarian, vegan, halal options

The official FoodStorm page lists the Strawberry Watermelon Cake as suitable for vegetarians. Vegan options are available but vary by store; direct enquiry is recommended to confirm current availability. Halal certification is not confirmed across the full menu — verify with individual locations.

Black Star Pastry was established in 2008 and is home to the world-famous Strawberry Watermelon Cake, of which over one million slices a year are served from their Sydney stores. — The Galeries venue site

In 2008, he launched the renowned Black Star Pastry, swiftly becoming a culinary icon in Sydney with the creation of Australia’s most ‘instagrammable’ cake. — Unox Casa interview

For founder Christopher Thé, the fame was both a dream and a trap. — Three Blocks Left podcast

The takeaway is straightforward: Black Star Pastry built its identity around one wildly successful cake, and that cake continues to draw customers years after the founder moved on. Whether you’re after the Instagram-famous Watermelon Cake, a tiered celebration cake, or a quick espresso alongside something sweet, the chain’s nine Sydney locations make it accessible across the city. For dietary needs beyond vegetarian, confirm directly with the specific store — the information gap around vegan and halal status is a genuine one to sort before ordering.

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Frequently asked questions