Jess “Lemon” Liemantara’s New Bakery Is Coming Soon – for Real This Time

If you’re a keen Broadsheet reader, you might remember that Masterchef and Dessert Masters contestant Jess “Lemon” Liemantara was meant to open a bakery in Nunawading before the end of last year – a fair estimate given construction started in June.

But, you know, councils gonna council. Liemantara didn’t receive official approval on her building plans until last week. Veteran operators often prepare for this stuff, but this is the 28-year-old pastry chef’s first (solo) rodeo after opening Esme in the CBD with a business partner in 2022. (She’s no longer involved.)

Now, finally, Liemantara is clear to run the intimate baking workshops she’s been dreaming of – which is phase one of the Jess Lemon bakery shopfront. Phase two, slated for July or August, is a full-service bakery serving coffee, viennoiserie, macarons, entremets and more. Finally, in October or November, she hopes to run chef’s-table-style dessert degustations featuring intricate desserts paired with Japanese teas and other drinks.

“The opening date is still a little bit TBC, there’s been a few delays on the technical side,” she says. “But the workshops will definitely start in May.”

Bookings aren’t open just yet – sign up to Liemantara’s newsletter to hear as soon as they do. Classes will be open to just six participants at a time, last for three hours and involve making a single type of item to take home, like macarons, tarts, entremets or cakes – all informed by Liemantara’s time spent working at Nobu, The Press Club, Ned’s Bake & Bistro and Rustica. 

“I did cooking demonstrations and food workshops two years ago. There’s been quite a lot of buzz about when it’ll be coming back,” she says. “Having my own facility now, it’s quite exciting. It’s going to be more intimate, there’s going to be more nostalgia.”

Jess Lemon is expected to open at 10 Market Street, Nunawading in May. Bookings are essential.