Meet Brittany Austin of Taste and Sea Cakery in San Diego/Orange County

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Austin.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Brittany. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
For me, the passion for baking developed at a very young age. My family has incredible talent in the kitchen but it is my grandma specifically that passed on her contagious passion to bake and decorated specialty pastries! Some of my fondest memories growing up are surrounded by the holidays with her scrumptious desserts. To this day, I can still smell and taste the delectable treats my grandma would prepare for the family to enjoy together. For me, baking has always paired with tremendous joy and celebration as well as the love of family.

I have always loved baking it was never something I thought I could call a career. It had always been a “passionate hobby.” Even in college while I was pursuing a degree in theatre and film I was known as “that girl” that would be experimenting in the kitchen with different desserts and passing them out to my friends. Whether it was for birthdays, holidays, opening night, or closing night of the theatre productions, I would find some excuse to bake something special! Shortly after graduating from Point Loma Nazarene University the doors of Theatre seemed to be closing, while my passion for baking continued to ignite. The next several months were ones of intense transition as I began shifting careers. During this time, I took a step back and prayed for God’s wisdom and guidance on the strategy of what do as I began stepping into a hobby that would eventually become my full-time career.

As scared as I was there was also a level of excitement and anticipation as I took that risk. That defining moment in my life happened in 2007. It was at that time I decided to go back to school to receive a certificate in Baking and Patisserie from the San Diego Culinary Institute. The amazing thing was that the moment I began pursuing my heart’s desire of baking the doors of opportunity seemed to swing wide open. Shortly after graduating culinary school I landed a position at the Grand Del Mar located in San Diego, California where I worked for a couple of years before getting another opportunity to travel abroad to Spain sharing my talents and gleaning from other cultures! I could never have imagined that I would be blessed with so many amazing opportunities so early in my career!

As amazing as it was feeling so fulfilled in my industry, there was something burning in me to open my own bakery. Then finally, in September 2014, the aspirations of owning my own bakery was no longer a dream but my reality.

I can proudly say six years later, I still have my own bakery. Since 2014 my business has expanded past the walls of an 856 square foot storefront building. I now operate out of a production kitchen where all my orders are booked by request. I have had incredible opportunities doing events for high-profile clients and large banquets. And the past three years, I have had the honor to teach and inspire others at various creativity conferences. It is a dream to own and operate my own business but it is the icing on the cake to also inspire and encourage others to pursue their creative passions as well!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not all been entirely smooth. Since the opening of my business, I have had to relocate at least three times in the six years I have been open. Though in the end, it has been for the best each time felt like starting over. It is hard to grow and expand when there is constant change and restructuring that has taken place,

However, I would say the biggest struggle has been with the pandemic this year. Nothing can prepare you for when dozens of events are canceled and postponed. When your year that was fully booked is now wide open with no certainty insight when things are going to shift back to “normal.” This year has stretched me past the point of comfortable as I continue to take on smaller orders hoping that my business will survive. I know so many other business owners in my position. And as a country, we are all in this together so I know there is an understanding and a relatability we all feel going through this crazy year.

Despite all of the uncertainty, all of the challenges, all of the constant changes, I am glad to say that my business is surviving. Though events look significantly different this year, I am glad to see that many people are still celebrating. Because despite everything, there is always something to celebrate, there is always something to find joy in and right now, we need those moments more than ever!

Taste and Sea Cakery – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Taste and Sea Cakery is an all-natural European-inspired bakery using only the finest ingredients. We don’t use artificial flavors, shortenings, preservatives or oils, bringing you excellence in every bite. Everything made at Taste and Sea Cakery is completely custom per order so I do not have just one popular item. However, I would say in general I am definitely known for my cakes! They are layered with my signature Italian Buttercream. They are not overly sweet but are packed with incredible flavor. I also customize each design so they are special just for you and your celebration! There is never a cake that looks exactly the same.

As a company, I am most proud of the quality we serve and the attention to detail we provide in every cake and pastry.

I believe what sets us apart is our ability to provide custom work for each order and the quality of taste in every bite.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career is the day I opened my own bakery! I still remember the night before my soft opening. The lights were dim and a soft glow was filling the bakery. Michael Buble was playing softly in the background. I was sitting in a comfortable wing back chair locating in the front close to the main entrance. I had been gazing at the display case that was filled with fresh, beautiful desserts all set and ready for the following morning. Beyond that, you could see directly into the galley style kitchen. My best friend was sitting on the couch next to me. She had been my baking buddy since college. There are still recipes to this day that I love to use that we created together. We had been reminiscing about college days and the struggles of life that eventually paved the way for stepping into something wonderful. The atmosphere was thick with peace and my heart was overflowing with joy and expectancy for the following day. Nothing could have disrupted that moment, the dreams of finally opening my own business and storefront was finally a reality!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tasteandseacakery.com
• Phone: 17604875444
• Email: brittany@tasteandseacakery.com
• Instagram: @taste_and_sea_cakery
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tasteandseacakery/

Image Credit:
The second photograph (cutting out the cookies) is Susan Taylor (Photos by Susan Monique). The Other photo credit is the fifth photo (navy blue and copper cake) Lindsey Stucky (Lindsey Marie Photo)

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