Meet Aileen Passalaqua | Professional Cake Decorator/Baker/Creator/Pastry

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aileen Passalaqua and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aileen, why did you pursue a creative career?
I chose this career because growing up in a family having a background in art and being creative as a child I loved to watch them make and create things. My uncle was a professional artist and my mom was very good at art too. I knew at a very young age that art was instilled in me. When I was young I would look at the “Wilton” Yearbook which was a cake decorating book my mom bought. I was always looking at the book thinking I wanted to make and decorate cakes when I was older by putting my artistic ability to work in frosting. My mom and grandmother made cakes as a hobby and I would watch them and want to do what they were doing. I graduated high school and got a cosmetology license and longed to decorate cakes. I would dabble in cake decorating and found that I was really good at it, so I pursued it as a hobby. My daughter was born and I left cosmetology and continued to do cakes and bake as a hobby. I was building a clientele and knew that this hobby was turning into so much more thinking that I could possibly make a living at this. In 1984 my husband’s job at a steel mill in Pueblo was in jeopardy. The mill was struggling and I knew it was time for me to turn my hobby into a local business. Not everyone can do what they do so I knew this was the right timing and my clientele would follow me to my new business. I am gifted and talented in turning frosting into amazing creations that bring joy to people’s lives. I love creating the masterpiece that brings a smile to a child’s face and a sparkle to a bride’s eye when she sees the creation she dreamed of and I brought to life. After 38 years I still love being creative, artistic and the 1st cake of the day looks as good as the last. I bring passion and love to my shop everyday.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from others is that I am good at what I do, my business has survived 38 years. I can look at a picture of a cake and create it. I just know what to do with my medium to make beautiful creations and my job is never the same each day. Every cake is custom and created for that customer. I am most proud when I get to make a wedding cake, then a baby shower cake, the child’s birthday cakes and the child’s graduation cake. Sometimes I even get to make that child’s wedding cake. I am so proud that they love what I do so much that they return time after time. I feel as thought I am part of their journey through life. I am also very proud that I am left handed and learned from some right handed cake decorators. I had to work hard, there were nights I would work until 2 a.m. with my 5 small children with me at the shop, I was responsible for making someone’s dream wedding cake. Opening a business and becoming a single mother was not easy. I had to work hard and I spent a lot of hours making my shop become successful. One challenge I had to overcome was being nervous about creating a customer request. Now, I don’t worry about that. I know I can make whatever the customer designs to the best of my ability. I am confident that I can do what they ask me for. I learned early to respect and treat every customer the same no matter what. My daughters have people tell them all the time your mom is so nice we love her. The branding of my business is my frosting and white cake. Each bowl of frosting is made one at a time and it has a signature flavor that makes it mine. I have customers throughout the state that will drive to Pueblo just to get a cake because of the frosting. I have some long time customers who drive from Denver to get cakes and ask for an extra bowl of frosting just to eat. My white cake is very special to me also it pairs perfectly with my frosting and I took time to develop the perfect white cake. People will always ask at events if it’s Aileen’s white cake because it’s the best. I have people who even call for a cake just to eat on no occasion they want my cake. People always know if it’s an Aileen’s cake and that is very special because of the pride I take in my business.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take my friend to my cabin that has been in my family for over a hundred years located in Rye, Colorado. I would show them the mountains and create a meal perfect for that day might be chicken, beef or maybe even a Pueblo Green chili slopper. Of course I would make a special dessert and we would eat out on the patio listening to the creek. Back in Pueblo I would bring them back to the historic Pueblo Union Depot for lunch at my other business LIttle Bite of Heaven which is run by my daughter. We would have lunch there and finish the day by walking the riverwalk.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like ot recognize my uncle, and mother for teaching me to be artistic and creative. My daughters for always helping and supporting me and following in my love for decorting and baking.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=aileen%27s%20cake%20decor

Image Credits
Black and white photo was taken in 1984 when I first opened the store.