The sweet life
The sweet life
Heather Dewar
Dewar’s Candy Shop
Sheila Heninger
Frosting, Ink
Stephanie Caughell
Gimmee Some Sugar Cakes
What is your favorite sweet treat?
Heather: It may sound a bit biased, but my favorite sweet treat is English toffee from Dewar’s. I have been exposed to more candy that you can imagine, and our English toffee is definitely the best. Talk about a treat … or two. Yummy!
Sheila: Ironically, I don’t eat many sweets. Owning a cupcakery, you would think I indulged in cupcakes every day, but I don’t. So when I want something sweet I would have to say my absolute favorite would be a fresh hot zeppole. Pure heaven.
Stephanie: My weakness is chocolate peanut butter ice cream or dark chocolate gelato, but I will take an organic, 80 percent cacao dark chocolate bar any day of the week! Ooh, and my vanilla bean cupcakes ... and my caramel marshmallow double-dipped s’mores … do I have to stop there?
How will you be celebrating this Valentine’s Day?
Heather: My husband and I have a 5-year-old little girl and a 4-year-old little boy.
I know it doesn’t sound romantic, but with Valentine’s Day falling on a three-day weekend, we are going to take the kids to our cabin for a long weekend. Maybe he’ll do all the cooking.
Sheila: Of course, creating special valentine moments for all my customers.
Stephanie: Since it is on a Sunday this year, I will be able to enjoy the day off with the love of my life for once. I usually come home late with more chocolate on me than in any box!
Why are sweets the best way to say “I love you”?
Heather: Have you ever heard of anyone unhappy with the gift of candy? Sweets simply put a smile on your face. It’s the perfect gift; it’s thoughtful yet reasonably priced.
Sheila: Sweets are the perfect recipe for your loved one. You can pick the wrong flowers or buy the wrong size, but you can never go wrong with something sweet for your sweetheart.
Stephanie: I was always able to feel emotion from food, both sweet and savory. I felt love in my mom’s casseroles and always looked forward to her homemade birthday cakes for my sister and I. I was always very proud to bring sweets and baked goods to teachers and friends in school that we made together because it just felt like I was giving them a piece of me, even though I was too young to understand what that feeling was then. It seems to be a form of expression that everyone understands, no matter what language you speak or where you’re from, it brings people together.
Why does Bakersfield have such a sweet tooth?
Heather: I think the Bakersfield community has good taste buds. Being involved with a candy company that has been in business for over 100 years in Bakersfield, the longevity doesn’t lie. Our customers have kept us in business, allowing us to supply them with all of the candy and ice cream they can eat. We are lucky, Bakersfield has a lot to offer, sweet treats being one of them.
Sheila: Bakersfield has a long history of exceptional independent and locally owned restaurants. There’s Luigi’s, Mexicali, Happy Jack’s, SubStation Downtown and so many more. And with that, you need great bakeries. Dessert spots like the historic Dewar’s have paved the way for a new generation of sweets and desserts. Cupcakes are the latest craze. Frosting, Ink is not only feeding the craze but is here to stay. We have received accolades for our unique and tasty creations. I’m so proud to bring my dream business to life.
Stephanie: If I had to guess, it would be that the “home and family” mentality here fosters our love for sharing great handmade things with each other … what is greater than great handmade sweets?