I would like to introduce to you our first featured vendor interview. Her name is Hope Looney and she is the Owner of a gourmet bakery located in North Branford, Connecticut called JCakes. JCakes began as a one-woman operation within her home 16 Years ago. Since then, JCakes has grown to a full scale bakery through its reputation of delivering delicious, unforgettable cakes for weddings, birthdays and all special occasions.
It was always a lifelong dream of owner, Hope Looney, to create gorgeous, gourmet wedding cakes. After attending countless weddings in the U.S. and abroad, she was always disappointed with the stunning cakes that tasted mediocre. Her goal was to make cakes that taste as good as they look. A few career paths later, Hope's international travel, business background and passion for the pastry arts lead her to JCakes. Her favorite thing about JCakes is contributing to the celebration by collaborating with people to personalize each cake .
1. Have you always dreamed of having a bakery?
Yes. Running a cake shop became a dream when I was in college, pursuing a degree in International Business. My roommate and I contemplated what types of jobs would fit our personalities and would make us happy and not be boring. We always also discussed how there were no quality, high end cake shops where she grew up in Hermosa Beach, California. So we bridged those two ideas into the dream for a cake shop on the beach where we could work together and fill a need for a gourmet cake shop in an affluent community where lots of demand existed. Charlie, my roommate, bought a kitchen aid mixer and we started baking in our college apartment. We tried tons of recipes and tried to perfect our buttercream. We had lots of failed attempts but lots of laughs and fun. Now I realize North Branford, CT is not on the Pacific Ocean, but there is still hope of one day expanding to the beach and working with my best friend.
2. What has been the most Wedding Cakes you've done in one weekend?
Ten Wedding Cakes in one weekend
3. Do couples still request Groom cakes?
Yes, i've made a few Groom's cakes. Its starting to become popular again.
4. Do you have a signature Wedding cake style?
Our signature Wedding Cake style is a round cake, iced smooth with vanilla buttercream, embellished with satin ribbons and fresh flowers with beargrass- I feel like our fresh floral designs set us apart- Most brides lately tend to gravitate to a clean, fresh look-- not an overly decorated cake-
5. How far in advance should a couple make an appointment with Jcakes?
I recommend making their appointment once they've selected a venue, caterer, bridesmaid dresses, centerpieces and linens. It makes the cake design much easier to plan once those details are in place. Usually this is 6 months before the wedding but some popular dates do book earlier than that.
6. What do suggest that a couple bring with them so that you can create their dream cake?
Photos of cakes that catch their eye, dress color swatches, names of all of their flowers in the centerpieces and linen colors- Also photographer and florist contact information-
7. What does a couple have to look forward to when they come for a cake tasting?
We provide a slice of vanilla and a slice of chocolate cake frosted with our vanilla french buttercream. Then we supply little cups of all of our fillings to the couple can try each one without being too full from a full slice of each combination. Also, the couple can have fun making their own cake and filling combinations.
8. What are some of the most requested flavor combinations?
Our most popular combinations for weddings are golden layer cake with white chocolate mousse and mixed berries and our chocolate devil's food cake with chocolate mousse.
9. What have been the most requested cake toppers?
Swarovski Crystal Monogram Cake toppers have been the most popular cake toppers besides fresh flowers. The traditional bride and groom is not as popular as before. Humorous cake toppers are also popular such as the bride dragging the groom the alter, etc.
10. What other specialties can Jcakes offer in addition to Wedding cakes?
We offer cupcake towers and chocolate truffle towers for those who want something a bit untraditional.
11. Do you deliver outside of Connecticut? If so how far?
We can deliver a wedding cake within a two hours driving distance from our shop.
12. What would be your Dream Wedding Cake?
My dream wedding cake....that is the hardest question of this interview. If cost was not an option, it would probably be some type of individual, plated ice cream/cake combination dessert- Coconut with passionfruit mousse-- lots of exotic flavors--Maybe individual ice cream wedding cakes with a plated individual cake or mousse-- with lots of decorative sauces on the plate-- and edible glitter-- ha ha!!
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