Today I welcome:
Jae Young, owner of Simply Cakes by Jae. www.simplycakesbyjae.com.
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I have personally tasted several of her cupcakes and
I can tell you they are simply the best! My favorite is the Vanilla Raspberry. All
of her melt-in-your-mouth cakes are filled with luscious homemade crèmes, berry
centers, or ice cream. Yum!
When I first met Jae, her shop was in Astoria,
Oregon—the same setting as the main shop I feature in THE CUPCAKE DIARIES. She's now located in Cannon Beach, Oregon, the
setting for book 5: Sprinkled with
Kisses.
1. Jae, can you tell us a little more about yourself
and your shop?
I began baking at a young age at home,
making all of the cakes for family and guests. I studied under my grandmother, who
was a chef and dietician. I love what I do.
2. What inspired you to open your own cake shop and
how long have you been in business?
I was catering to a French Bistro and
making wedding cakes. The Bistro closed and I found myself with too much time
on my hands and the need to create, so I opened a cupcake shop. The customers
at the Bistro are pleased I am still making the pastries they became addicted
to.
3. In my sweet novella series, The Cupcake Diaries, my three heroines Andi, Rachel, and Kim
struggle to open their cupcake shop and make their dreams come true. What do
you think is the hardest part of opening a small business?
You need confidence, patience, talent, and
you really need to love what you do.
4. Where did you get your fabulous recipes? Did you
create them yourself ?
My recipes initially were my
grandmother's. I have expounded on them with new filling combinations and
design.
5. How many flavors do you have and what is your own
personal favorite flavor cupcake?
Currently 15. My favorite is
Chocolate/chocolate mousse.
6. You used to have a shop in Astoria and recently
moved to Cannon Beach. How was that transition for you? What preparations did
you have to make?
It cost me approximately $10,000. for new
plumbing, electrical, and mechanical, as well as 6 months of reduced sales as I
was going into the winter. Moving to a new town is like starting a new
business. I moved in the fall so that I would be able to ease into my new
surroundings and get a flow going. The hardest part of the move was loading a
truck with all of my equipment and furniture as well as pots, pans, etc.
7. In THE CUPCAKE DIARIES: Sprinkled with Kisses, newcomer Stacey McIntyre fears her mobile
cupcake stand may be in danger when she sees tsunami evacuation route signs. Research
shows her that in 1964 a tsunami, triggered by an Alaskan earthquake, wiped out
the bridge that connected Cannon Beach to the rest of the state of Oregon and
flooded the area with 27 foot high waves. As a local resident at that time, can
you tell us a little of your personal experience?
When the siren went off at the fire
department signaling a tsunami we loaded everyone into the car and went to
higher ground like everyone else. It was about 1a.m. We went home after a
couple of hours and the damage that I remember was minimal. The rivers
overflowed but the wave was small. I do not even remember the bridge being
taken out.
8. What about the future? Do you see new trends in
baking or cake decorating?
I am not a trendy person. I make simple
elegance that tastes really good. Most of my customers get addicted to their
favorite. Trends come and go but a good piece of cake is forever.
9. That's so true! How can we find your shop so we
can come taste your delicious, melt-in-your mouth cupcakes for ourselves?
I am located right as you come into Cannon
Beach between Hemlock and Spruce at 163 E. Third Street, 1/2 block to the
beach. I am in a two story house with blue shingled siding on second story.
Phone number: (503) 436-0436 Website: www.simplycakesbyjae.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplycakesbyjae
Thank you for visiting with us today! I would also
like to add that Jae makes fabulous wedding cakes so if you know anyone who's
getting married be sure to pass along her information. Simply Cakes by Jae are
melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
