Mother’s Day is a month away, but it is never too early to start planning this much needed, well deserved, annual event. What better way to celebrate than indulging in a sweet confection? Try opening a box full of gorgeously decorated, divinely flavored cupcakes created by a fellow mom! Andrea Ballus of Sift Cupcake and Dessert Bar – now open in Santa Rosa, Cotati, and Napa – is gaining a national reputation for her unexpected, fantastically flavored desserts. Read on for a virtual taste of this local treat.
From Frosting at Home to Food Network
Andrea Ballus (pictured above in the center of husband and best friend) says she’s lucky she she grew up in a household where the Kitchen-Aid mixer was used more than the microwave. Her mother baked and decorated her birthday cakes from scratch every year. Her father always had a new bread creation in the oven. Learning her trade “from the kitchen floor up,” Andrea now sports quite a reputation as a baker. In fact, our local mom-preneur recently appeared on the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars.
Not only is Andrea an accomplished dessert maker, this 33-year-old woman has moxy, drive, and flair. You can get a sense of her style from her cupcake confections (which she says must always have fantastic flavors and fun frosting) or you can take a few moments to watch her in action via her Cupcake Wars entry video on youtube. She’ll have you both laughing and feeling starved for something sweet.
Andrea is also unique in that she is very open and generous. For example, Andrea happily shares trade secrets! She recently opened the Sift classroom at the Santa Rosa location, where she offers baking and decorating classes for both kids and adults.
Want to try a recipe now? Andrea shares several via the Food Network including this one for Coconut Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache Filling and Caramel Buttercream Frosting.
Quick Rising Recipe to Success
How did this young woman and mother come to her success? A few questions and answers reveal morsels of truth other mom-preneurs can savor.
Q. What was it like starting your shop?
A. “Oh man, it was tough! I think I only accumulated about 6 hours of sleep in the first week of being open…wait, make that the first month! I would be baking and making frosting and decorating at the same time! I learned to have 6 hands… well, to beg my friends and family to pitch in for cupcake pay.”
Q. What have been your biggest obstacles?
A. “Trying to figure out how many cupcakes and desserts to make every day! We don’t like leftovers, but we don’t like to have empty cake plates either! Its tough to balance on a day to day basis.”
Q. Are cupcakes just a craze?
A.“I’ll admit, I’m a little crazed about cupcakes…but I tend to think that people need cupcakes. People like cake and frosting…most people have this on their birthday. We make it so that any day can be your birthday! A little package of cake and frosting that you don’t have to share, love it!”
Q. What inspires you?
A.“I’m inspired by great flavors, unexpected combinations and fantastic design. I’m also inspired by good old Martha, Mom-entrepreneurs and my husband whose response is always, ‘it’s taken care of’.
Hint-Hint: Sift’s Mother’s Day Offering
Moms – now is the time to leave a few “hint-hints” for your family. Let them know you want your own slice of cupcake heaven! Sift is at your service with both a couple of fun Mother’s Day decorating workshops AND the popular “Mother’s Day Dozen.”
Join Sift’s premier decorators for an intimate class to learn how to expertly decorate fabulous cakes and cupcakes. Classes are open to all skill levels, and feature hands on learning opportunities. The Mother Day’s workshops include:
1.) Happy Mother’s Day! Workshop
Create beautiful and fun Mother’s Day cupcakes that any mom will love this mother’s day! Learn fondant sculpting, design, frosting techniques for cupcakes.
Sunday, May 6th; 11am-1:30pm or 3pm-5:30pm; hosted by Tiffany.
2.) Mother’s Day Cake! Workshop
Treat mom this Mother’s Day with beautiful cake made by YOU! Learn the basic of cake decorating and introduction to fondant.
Thursday, May 10th; 6pm-8:30pm; hosted by Jamie
(All classes are held in the Santa Rosa store. $55 per person -unless otherwise noted. Payment due upon registration. Class space is limited. No refunds for cancellations within 5 days of booked class.)
The Mother’s Day Dozen is another terrific gift for moms. This box of bejeweled desserts is offered at $45 (approximately $15 more for gluten free). Place your orders by May 5, 2012 to ensure your box is ready for immediate pick-up, or stop by the store up to Mother’s Day to have a box created for you from the ready-made case.
Sift at Sono-Ma Soiree “Delight Night”
Would you like to sample Sift’s delectable desserts? Our next soiree features Sift’s cupcake mini morsels of bliss! Here is a preview of what guests can expect:
Moms attending the event can expect royal treatment. We’re offering up delicious tastes, raffle prizes and more.
Savor conversations while enjoying a mini-treatment from Bellies N Bloom and Beyond.
Pause for a tasting with Ruthy’s Real Meals and Sift cupcakes.
Meet photographer Mariah Smith and walk out with a fantastic photography offering. (On-site portraits for moms-to-be!!)
Hurry now to get your name on the waiting list.
April 26, 2012
More on Sift
Planning a celebration? Think of Sift! Andrea Ballus and Sift offer delicious cupcakes for approximately $30/dozen or $20/dozen for minis. Gluten-free desserts are also available upon request. Visit Sift today at the following locations:
Santa Rosa
404 Mendocino Avenue, Suite A
Santa Rosa, California 95401
707.703.4228
santarosa@siftcupcakery.com
Napa
1000 Main Street, Suite 100
Napa, California 94559
707.240.4004
napa@siftcupcakery.com
Cotati
7582 Commerce Blvd.
Cotati, California 94931
707.792.1681
cotati@siftcupcakery.com
Sift Cupcake and Dessert Bar ships nationwide. Send mom a box for Mother’s Day no matter where she lives.
