Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia Saraniecki.
Claudia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I hold a Master’s degree in Human Nutrition and Public Health and am a registered and licensed dietitian. While this is not the typical background for a baker and custom cake maker, my science and food safety education has been invaluable. And, it might set my business apart in terms of accommodating any special needs of my clients.
I work with my family’s 75-year-old catering and banquet business, located in the historic Garden Manor Banquet Hall on Armitage Avenue. I also provide custom cakes, pastries, and food gifts to clients in the Chicago area and across the United States.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve always felt most comfortable creating rustic products, such as sourdough breads, bagels, and croissants. While raising a family, I chose not to operate a retail bakery. I realized I needed additional training to create beautiful, refined cakes, including wedding and quinceanera cakes. In 2004, I studied with Colette Peters and other notable cake designers, and have been able to create a unique and modern style which retains some of the rustic and natural elements that I love.
Babushka Bakery – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m so proud that I’ve been able to meet these objectives when working with clients:
1. Make the process as simple and easy as possible. My clients generally communicate by email or text, which eliminates the need for driving in Chicago’s difficult traffic. I am very responsive to text messages and clients love the personal and quick replies.
2. Make the flavors as delicious as possible, using the finest ingredients and flavor combinations. Always butter and real eggs, Swiss chocolate and actually delicious fondant.
3. Make the food as safe as possible using the latest scientific understanding of food hazard prevention.
I’m known for delicious and pretty cakes and pastries, whimsical styles, and incredibly beautiful hand-crafted sugar flowers.
I’ve also developed a packaging technique for shipping decorated cakes across the US with great success.
Clients also love that I take a lovely portrait of their cake, which is posted on Instagram and can be shared with family and friends.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
For the past 10 years, I have created a custom birthday cake to meet the challenges of a young woman who suffers with a rare genetic disorder. It is a great joy for the family to guess the theme of the cake. And it’s always a special moment when I can count my blessings and learn from this family on the importance of simple kind gestures.
Pricing:
- Cakes are priced starting at $5 per serving
- Cookies are priced starting at $12 per dozen, with a minimum order of 3 dozen
- Cupcakes are priced starting at $2.50 each, with a minimum of 2 dozen
Contact Info:
- Address: 4720 W. Armitage Ave.
Chicago, IL 60639 - Website: www.babushkabakery.com
- Phone: 708-828-1983 phone/text
- Email: claudia@babushkabakery.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/babushkabakery/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/babushkabakery
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/babushka-bakery-chicago
Image Credit:
Claudia Saraniecki – Babushka Bakery
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