Saratoga residents have long craved a local bakery to satisfy their sweet cravings. This dream has finally become a reality: After Planet Juice closed down a few years ago, the vacant spot next to Starbucks has been filled by Saratoga’s very own cupcake store, Minicakes by Tasha, which opened on Aug. 30.
Mastermind and head baker Natasha Kuo won Cupcake Wars, a baking competition on Food Network last year, taking home $10,000.
Two years prior Kuo owned a food cottage business where she baked goods in the vicinity of her home. After winning Cupcake Wars, she decided to use the money she won to open a storefront.
“We were looking for a small community with the hope of a great downtown and no bakery,” Kuo said. “And Saratoga fit the bill exactly.”
Prior to becoming a professional baker, Kuo majored in biology and was a market researcher in consumer electronic companies for eight years. Her passion for science fits right in with baking since it includes some scientific aspects as well.
Just like science, baking involves trial and error, testing what works best and measuring precisely.
“You can’t throw things together like you can in cooking. That’s one of the reasons I like baking so much,” Kuo said.
Walking into the cozy store located on Saratoga-Los Gatos Road, customers smell the sweet aroma of cupcakes, elegantly showcased behind a glass window. A blue and white shelf stands against the corner, stacked with all sorts of trinkets and decorations for sale.
Kuo chose an open kitchen concept so that customers can watch the magic happen as Kuo and assistant bakers prepare freshly-baked treats.
“We wanted customers to see the process of making their cupcakes, and so we could see our customers,” she said.
Her concoctions include absurd and delicious flavors including "The Elvis": a banana cupcake covered with peanut butter and marshmallow frosting, with an optional choice of Bacon Praline bits on top, “Mom’s Carrot Cake”: a simple carrot cupcake with cream cheese frosting and other standard flavors such as chocolate and strawberry.
Kuo’s inspirations for these unique flavors come from her favorite foods.
"I love apple pie, sweet potato pie, cinnamon rolls and s’mores, so I turned these foods into cupcakes!" she said.
Minicakes also offers gluten free cupcake options to accommodate everyone’s needs.
Once customers have selected the pastry of their desire, they pay $3.25 for a standard size and $4 for two minis. Cake slices are $4 each, and cake pops are $24 a dozen.
Though these scrumptious delights are wonderful, students said there are some inconveniences in Minicakes. The shop’s layout is not well-suited for large crowds, with only a narrow corridor to stand in, according to sophomore Neythra Srinivasan.
Also, the process of packing the cupcakes into cardboard boxes can take long time, she said.
“When I went, there was about 10 people. But I had to wait 45 minutes until I got to the top of the line,” Srinivasan said.
Despite the difficulties of starting a business, Kuo hopes that Minicakes is on the track for success and will bring sweetness to Saratoga for years to come.
“Running a business is hard work, but also really fulfilling, Kuo said. “Saratoga is a strong community, and I love that.”
