Meet Eliana Alcocer | Cake decorator & Baker

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

Hi Eliana, what role has risk played in your life or career?
When I think about risk taking, I think about how much your life can change. I think about how your whole life relies on a decision that impacts you as a person overall. Risk taking has always played a huge role in my life. However, it started to take a bigger and positive impact in my life when I was in middle school. I began taking risks with being in leadership groups, talking in front of big crowds, stepping out of my comfort zone. I realized I loved being social, I loved leading groups, I loved making an impact on many people at once or just one person. Once I began high school, I made sure I stayed making those risk taking choices. However, once I graduated high school COIVD 19 hit and I wasn’t sure where I was going with my life/career. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t know how to take my next risk taking move. I decided to take a gap year and try to figure out what it was that I wanted to do with my life/career. Finally, in August of 2021 I decided to try out a dream that I always had since I was 5 years old. I bought lots of cake supplies to make my very first cake. I didn’t think anything of it, I didn’t think this risk was going to take me this far. In October 2021 I knew that baking was where I was meant to be. I decided to take the biggest risk taking move and I started my own cake business! It has changed my life in many positive ways and I can finally say I have my dream job. I adore it and I would not want to have it any other way!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is a little different than the art that is paint on paper. My art is buttercream on bread. I design and decorate with my bench scraper, my offset spatula, and my piping tools. One thing that sets me apart from others is, my process of getting my piece of art done. My process is time consuming, delicate, and efficient. However, one thing all bakers have in common is having a process of getting our baked good done. Yet, every baker is super different in this area because we all have different ways to get things done. We all have different techniques, skills, practice. Pasteleria la Marosof does every baked good fresh, moist, and creamy.
I am proud of how much I have progressed in the past several months. I have set my mindset where I want it, this way whenever there is a challenge given to me I am motivated to face it and not run away from it. I am about to hit 1 year with Pasteleria la Marosof and I have mastered skills that are challenging, and I grow a little bit more with each cake that I do. The way I see it is, no matter how much you practice and master a skill, or no matter how much you think you have perfected a skill, there is always enough room for growth. I got where I am today by making sure I leave time for practice, I do not ever rush my work, and I make sure I connect with my baked art on a personal level. This way when it comes to decorating the cakes, cookies, cupcakes, pies, etc, I understand what exactly it is that my client wants. In the end, this is my clients way of showing their love to their loved one.
None of it was easy, it still never is. Yes, I do overcome the challenges but that doesn’t keep them away for future orders. I enjoy the challenges they keep me going and when I get done with one challenge I can’t wait and I start planning for the next one! I’ve learned to be patient with myself and my technique. To not be too hard on myself, and I have learned to play different roles in my business its not always about being the baker. I have to be the accountant, handling inventory, managing stocking up on certain supplies when it is needed.
I want the world to know that I was a little girl with a dream of becoming a baker. It wasn’t handed to me I had to risk throwing myself out there and I had to work hard for it. I want everyone to know my heart and soul are completely invested in my business and I cant wait for what the future holds.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Fortunately, I have all my best friends here in town with me. However, I do have family that comes and visits since they live in another country. We love to take them around town as much as possible. To hangout we walk Old Town in Fort Collins, we love taking family pictures at Horsetooth, they enjoy shopping at local shops to find souvenirs to take back to their home.
When it comes to dining in we usually stay at home and cook. We do this instead of going out to restaurants since this is our way of hanging out and bonding. However, if we do decide to go out we eat at Hispanic restaurants such as: Los Comales, Cuatro Americas, and El Burrito. For drinks we drink agua frescas, these are drinks that are really popular in my culture. The drink itself is water mixed with the juices from a fresh fruit.
Personally, I find hanging out at places that share the same culture as me, are the most interesting/most fun/exciting. Old town has one of the best vibes and it is always exciting to see what performances and events they hold. Old Town makes you feel at home no matter where you are coming from. It is a very diverse place and the community always knows how to make everyone fit in. The vibes are so positive that it is sometimes overwhelming in a good matter.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to give a huge shoutout to my supportive parents (Leticia & Victor Alcocer), my dear aunt (Juanita Aguirre), my two brothers (Alonzo & Victor Alcocer, my boyfriend (Omar Altamirano), and last but most definitely not least the rest of my family, friends, and clients. I would not be where I am today without any of them. They have been my rock, my support, my shoulders to cry on, and my motivation. To my mom and dad, thank you guys for teaching and guiding me in the right direction in life. Thank you for pushing me to become the strong, loving, motivated woman I am today. Thank you for supporting my dreams and being there for me when I was loosing hope. Thank you for staying up with me when I had multiple cakes at once, making sure I did not give up no matter the circumstances.
To my aunt (Juanita Aguirre) I wouldn’t even have this dream of mine if it weren’t for you. Thank you for being my inspiration and supporting me with taking this big step in my life. Thank you for all the tips and tricks, I hope I’m making you proud!
To my two brothers, thank you for all your love and support it means the world to me. Thank you for being my cake critics and being honest with me.
To my boyfriend (Omar Altamirano) thank you for always having my back and pushing me to practice and become a better baker/cake decorator every week. Thank you for helping me deliver all my cakes you are the best delivery man!
To my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, thank you for supporting me and my business in any way possible it truly is the best feeling!
To my wonderful clients, you all are the best! I would not have been able to do this journey without you. Thank you for believing in me and trusting me with any baked good!

Thank you to everyone!

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