Who needs the butcher and the candlestick maker with these bakers in the house?

BY BRIAN PADGETT
PHOTO BY BRENT DUNDORE

When the temperatures drop and the sweaters come out, it’s compulsory to espy those local bakeries that offer some of the most delectable treats in our fair city. Here we’ve listed three of our favorite bakery haunts for your convenience. Enjoy!

Delilah Bakery

George Michael inadvertently played a role in the development of Echo Park’s Delilah Bakery. Growing up, owner Genevieve Ostrander and her sister would hold baking competitions, the winner of which would get to sleep closer to the posters of the pop idol adorning their bedroom. “We were both convinced that if we made extra amazing cakes he would want to marry us,” Ostrander confesses. Delilah Bakery is a “small town in a big city” kind of place who’s love of what they do is evident in the flavor of their products, all made from scratch. Love is not an uncommon emotion around Delilah Bakery, which has amassed a large LGBT following, many of which approached Ostrander to make their wedding cakes over the summer. “Since we are so close with so many of our customers, it was such a personal joy to have [LGBT] couples come in and say ‘we are getting married and we would like Delilah Bakery to be a part of that,’” she says. “I will be incredibly sad if these customers, or anyone in this community ... is stripped or deprived of the joyous occasion of two people sharing together their love for one another.” In these appalling times of injustice and inequality, thank god for places like Delilah, offering a temporary haven of kindness and warmth to revive our spirits. Ostrander describes her enterprise as “a little pocket of happiness in the big, jaded city. As our tagline says, ‘come in bitter, leave sweet’!”

1665 Echo Park Ave., L.A. 213/975-9400; delilahbakery.com

Kiss My Bundt Bakery

Opening on Aug. 28 of this year, Kiss My Bundt has been the brainchild of owner Chrysta Wilson dating back to when she was a child spending summers with her aunt in North Carolina, asserting her company is about “people and communities coming together [to] enjoy cake and one another.” Speaking of community, Kiss My Bundt has garnered a large LGBT following. One man quipped, “is there anything you won’t put in your bundt’s hole?” Offering total customization of any of the three sized cakes, Wilson replied. “I’ve put very interesting things in the middle of my Big Ol’ Bundt Cakes!” With over 30 varieties on the menu, and another two to three dozen in Wilson’s repertoire, two things are certain: Kiss My Bundt is a brilliant addition to the L.A. bakery scene, and our community has impeccable taste!

8104 W. 3rd St., L.A. 323/655-0559; kissmybundt.net

Big City Cakes

Ruwan Gunatilake’s dreams of owning a cake and pastry business date back to his childhood in Matale, Sri Lanka. “I made mud cakes in coconut shell molds, decorating them with tropical flowers from our garden,” he reminisces. Gunatilake channeled his 20 years of experience (amassed across three continents) into Big City Cakes, his professional kitchen in Venice Beach. “Everything is made from scratch,” he assures, “including the almond rocca candy that tops the incredible almond rocca cake. Absolutely no short cuts are taken.” As an out chef, Gunatilake holds the LGBT community close to his heart. “I seek to make the special moments of their lives even more beautiful and delicious.” Gunatilake regularly hosts tastings for his clients, but as a professional kitchen, Big City Cakes does not have an operable store front, and appointments are encouraged.

1629 1/2 Abbott Kinney Blvd., Venice 310/562-6624 or 310/948-3944; bigcitycakes.com