Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Cazier.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
About 18 years ago, my mom and her good friend set out to open a pie shop in Huntington Beach. Not too long after, I left my career in interior design to lend a much-needed hand. I honestly had never made a pie before that time! But a passion and joy was instilled in me.
After the original shop closed, I started a family of my own and was busy running around after four kids. I was constantly looking for a creative outlet in my life. I tried my hand at a few different things, but the love of making handmade pies, and bringing joy to people, kept me coming back to that lost art. I started making pies at home for family and friends here and there. Word quickly spread. I recognized lots of people were craving the value of a quality homemade pie with a classic, timeless taste right out of their own oven …. but without the work. That was the moment the Flaky Apple Pie Co was really born.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’ve been a one-woman operation, wearing many hats up until now. While that can have its benefits – it definitely isn’t easy! Especially because I’m still juggling family life, with four young kids – ranging from first to eighth grade – all at home. Things are especially challenging while we struggle through online school due to the coronavirus pandemic! But I love being a stay at home mom, so stepping away from that role a little while I chase this dream has been much more of an emotional struggle than I expected to deal with while on this journey. I sometimes wonder if I made the right choice – they’re growing up so fast and will be out of the house in no time! But I know this is the path for me. Oprah once said (and I love this): “You know you are on the road to success if you would do your job and not be paid for it.” And I truly LOVE making pies! Even though it’s just a desert – it’s amazing to see the joy it brings my customers and how my pies bring people together and have become a part of their own traditions and treasured memories. I hear stories about this all the time, and I love it! In a world that’s trying to force us to be socially distant, I’m committed to push through my personal struggles and fight to bring loved ones together and stay close. “Handmade by us, homebaked by you” is our motto, and I mean it! Knowing that I, in my own little way, am helping to build these memories helps me push through my own stumbling blocks and hurdles (as cliche as that sounds).
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Flaky Apple Pie Co. – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
One of the things we’re most proud of is the fact that we only use raw fruit, no precooked fillings no preservatives. It’s just raw fruit and freshly cut granny smith apples that we peel and cut yourselves. Can’t get more homemade than that!
Our pies are a classic taste in a modern time. Simple ingredients, gourmet crusts, and show-stopping taste that create a pie-eating (and baking) experience our customers love. There are a lot of fun ways to spice up an apple pie … but nothing beats the classic. Sometimes you just want a good old fashion apple pie!
But I think the biggest thing that sets us apart from other pie businesses is, our customers bake their pie! Most of our pies are frozen, unbaked (like a frozen pizza, but waaaay better!). We didn’t just want to give our customers a delicious product – we wanted to give them an experience with it. Our customers have the luxury of a freshly baked pie in the comfort of their home whenever they want it. There are very few things better than the smell of a baking pie drifting through your house! One of our customers said, “It’s like having a secret weapon in my freezer!” It’s amazing how empowering it is when people ask our customers, “did you bake this?” and they can say “YES”!
We also take our responsibility to the planet seriously. Did you know that Americans throw out about 150,000 tons of food everyday? Buying the pies frozen, unbaked gives the power to the customer to enjoy the pie whenever they’d like and reduces our waste to nearly zero.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We’re hoping we can start offering delivery, not only to Orange County but to LA as well. The dream would be to offer shipping nationwide!
Another dream is to have a little brick and mortar place to call our own. Currently, The Flaky Apple is operating out of The Hood Kitchen Space in Costa Mesa, which is a shared commercial kitchen. We love it there! We have made great connections with so many other talented bakers and chefs, but having our own place would be the pie in the sky!
Pricing:
- Regular sized pies (9″) start at $25
- Individual sized pies (5″) start at $8.50
Contact Info:
- Address: The Flaky Apple Pie Co
located at The Hood Kitchen Space
350 Clinton Ave Suite A
Costa Mesa, CA 92626 - Website: https://www.flakyapplepieco.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @flakyapplepieco
- Facebook: @flakyapplepieco
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
