If you were in Melbourne for the 2020-21 lockdowns, you probably dabbled in baking. But you probably didn’t perfect your recipe for cinnamon scrolls, start selling them to cafes and eventually open your own shop. Unless, of course, you’re engaged couple Sebastian Castro and Annabelle Strahan.

After rave reviews from friends and family during lockdowns, the couple moved into a commercial kitchen. By the end of 2021 their scrolls were stocked at Applehead Deli. As of now, Sebby’s Scrolls is available in 45 cafes across Melbourne and sells directly to the public from the original commercial kitchen on North Road in Caulfield South – which is very much a work in progress.

The team is tiny – Castro and Strahan work alongside two casuals to pump out 2000 to 2500 scrolls across Wednesday to Sunday each week, with a few delivery drivers on hand to get them across Melbourne.

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Each day starts at 3.30am, with the wholesale orders out the door by 6am. Then it’s on to prepping the scrolls for the following day, before leaving them to proof overnight. From 8.30am onwards, the kitchen is open for walk-in orders – so amid the prep, the team is working to make sure they’ve made enough for any customers who might decide to stop in.

“We really hate turning people away, so we keep making scrolls throughout the day,” Strahan says.

If you haven’t yet gotten your hands on a Sebby’s scroll, it should be on your to-do list. Expect super-soft layers of dough, cinnamon and caramelised brown sugar topped with silky cream cheese icing. They come in two sizes and there are special flavours from time to time, like an Easter hot cross bun crossover.

In the coming weeks, the rough-and-ready walk-in kitchen will gain a takeaway coffee window, including an espresso machine brewing Allpress coffee. While you wait, you’ll be able to watch the team prepping the scrolls through large windows that surround the kitchen.

According to Strahan, there’s one spot that has the best view, though. “There’s a beautiful little garden and seating area right next to us, so you can have your coffee and a scroll watch them being made in person.”

Sebby’s Scrolls
367 North Road, Caulfield South
0466 246 186

Hours
Wed to Sat 8.30am–2pm (or until sold out)
Sun 8.30am–1pm (or until sold out)

instagram.com/sebbys.scrolls