by Jo-Anne Daniels

Photo courtesy of Pacificakes.

January 2012—  Mariel Berry, the owner of Pacificakes Bake Shop — a boutique bakery in the heart of Pacifica on the San Mateo County coast — has a passion for food made from the finest ingredients. And this passion led her to open a bakery in her hometown, where she creates and serves delicious, home-style cupcakes, pies and cakes to her neighbors, friends and other coastal residents. Berry knew Pacifica wanted special cupcakes — cupcakes with extraordinary flavor, and no artificial ingredients. She also wanted to provide good value; therefore, the gourmet cupcakes are priced at $2.75 per cupcake, and $1.25 for the minis.

Berry grew up eating her mother’s natural food and home cooking during her childhood in Argentina. She never tasted microwaved food or heard of frozen meals. Berry’s natural creativity, understanding of fine food, and love of science — including her fascination with the chemical reactions that occur during the cooking process — shaped her desire to study cooking and culinary traditions. She pursued a career in the culinary and restaurant industry and attended a culinary school in Buenos Aires, where she learned classical cooking methods. After working at a number of hotels and restaurants in the U.S., including the Ritz-Carlton, Berry opened her own business Sept. 30, 2011. When she opened the doors, a few neighbors surprised her with welcome gifts, which they made especially for their new neighbor.

Pacificakes offers a variety of rich and delicious cupcakes, including chocolate with chocolate crème frosting, carrot cake with real cream cheese frosting, red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, and banana cake with butter cream frosting. All the cupcakes are available in both standard and mini size, a perfect snack. All the cookies and cupcakes are made fresh every day. Although all of the cupcakes are very tempting, the current best-seller is the decadent chocolate.

In the near future, Pacificakes plans to offer fresh pies, such as apple and sweet potato, and an apple and cranberry tart. Berry also plans to make gift platters that will provide a pleasing assortment. In addition, she intends to create cakes designed with your child’s favorite drawing, storybook character or animal, sure to delight the guests at birthday parties or other special events.

Pacificakes also makes cakes and pies to order for family gatherings or corporate functions. Berry will even put your company logo on the cake or cupcake to create a special and memorable effect.

Today Berry’s business is small and she wears many hats, from baking the cookies to selling and marketing her products. She recently hired her first employee, which means that Berry will have more time to visit local businesses and invite them to taste her products. Berry is active in her community and enjoys bringing product samples to mothers’ groups or local fundraisers to introduce them to Pacificakes’ freshly baked sweets.

Berry is enthusiastic about educating people about the rewards of eating the best possible quality foods, free of preservatives. You don’t have to worry about reading the label and wondering what preservatives are inside her desserts, because they are all natural and made by Berry’s own hands. Her call to action is, “It is time to eat better.” Berry also values her customers’ feedback; therefore, she invites them to complete an on-line survey, located on her website, and tell her how they liked the taste, quality and variety of her products, as well as the customer service.

You don’t have to drive far to find this friendly, local bakery — and when you arrive at Pacificakes, located at 1625 Palmetto Ave., you will find the most satisfying, dreamy treats made with real butter, creamy cream cheese, whole eggs and milk, crunchy carrots and other fresh ingredients. Call Berry or come by the bakery and place your order for a piece of warm apple pie or a chocolate cupcake, then relax with a cup of hot tea to warm you during a blustery winter afternoon.