A cake of EPIC proportions.

This year it wasn't just any old birthday for me - it was the horrifyingly significant 3-0. On the upside, the end of an era (in this case my 20s) meant the beginning of a new cakey love.

At my sister's suggestion I ordered a passionate brownie chocolate cake from Le Petite Gateau in Little Collins Street, Melbourne. There was some discussion over the phone as to whether I should order the 40cm x 40cm or the one smaller. As I didn't want a single person to miss out on cake - what a terrible fate - I erred on the safe and more expensive side of the larger cake.

When I suggested picking it up and taking it to the birthday party venue on a train and tram Simon from Le Petite laughed. Oh, how he laughed. ''It's too big'', he explained. ''We don't even have a cake box big enough - we are giving you a crate.''

So I arranged a car, but the closest park I could get was two blocks away. Someone from the shop had to help me carry it - we got a few looks. This is what it looked like (minus the crate):

Now while looks are well and good, everybody knows in the end it's only taste that matters. Boy did this cake taste good. On the bottom was a brownie layer that was full of little crunchie bits which reminded me of rice bubbles. Then there was a thin layer of zesty passionfruit jelly, a thick layer of creamy choc mousse and, finally, a chocolate ganache. Mmmmm. Amazing really - and if you are wondering: Yes, I did eat this entire piece. Even though I was wearing a tight dress.

So the 30-year-old did live happily ever after.

The End.