After founding Hollyhock Cakes in Seattle in 1997, Santa Cruz native Aimee Page has returned to her seaside hometown, bringing along her organic, show-stopping wedding cakes and desserts. Serving Santa Cruz and the central coast area, from San Francisco to Silicon Valley to Big Sur, Page handcrafts confections of carefully composed flavors and textures inspired by the seasonal farmers’ market. “Fresh herbs like lemon thyme find their way into summer cakes with cornmeal and blueberries,” explains Page. “Organic olive oil from a vineyard near Napa goes into an olive oil cake with rosemary and orange, and layered with wine-poached peaches and mascarpone.”
And her cake designs are just as enchanting. “I’ve created everything from modern Andy Warhol–inspired cakes to gluten-free, naked cakes with flowers and branches,” says Page. “I am indebted to my amazing clients, who’ve provided me with so many different kinds of events; they truly inspire me.” Page meets with clients by appointment in her professional kitchen in Santa Cruz as well as by email or phone. Santa Cruz; 831.332.5511; hollyhockcakes.com