My taste for the sweeter things in life began when I was a child. I would seek out the nickels, dimes and quarters that shimmied their way into couch crevices, behind car seats and the most rewarding place, the shelf above the washing machine, just so I could walk a mile to the convenient store for a sweet treat. My days consisted of four meals; breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert.
My sweet tooth remains, albeit a little more refined (most of the time). I am fortunate enough to have made a career out of my cravings. After a couple years of baking in Seattle I moved, with my husband, to Los Angeles where I had the honor of working with one of the top ten best pastry chefs in America, Sherry Yard.
My husband and I moved back to the Northwest when I was pregnant with my first child (Baron, 2) to be near family. I began Ashley E. Rodriguez; Artisan Sweets in 2006. The business grew very quickly and in my second year I was booked every Summer weekend for wedding cakes. Having just had another beautiful baby boy (Roman, 5 months) I have decided to put my own business on hold. Currently I am baking for a local catering company (Ciao Thyme).
For me food is so much more than following a recipe in order to reach a desired product. As much as I enjoy that tasty product and the process in which it was created, my personal infatuation with food focuses on the aspects that go beyond satisfying a bodily hunger. I am completely and utterly obsessed with food because of its effect on the people who consume it, grow it, produce it, enjoy it, and live for it. Food is culture, it nourishes our bodies, it is passion, it is hard work, and for many it is their livelihood.
My hope is that this blog will teach you techniques and recipes, encourage you to try new things, and inspire you to think beyond what it is that you are creating.
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31 comments
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September 12, 2006 at 12:23 pm
Helene
You are the person I need to talk to! I recently quit my job as a pastry chef in a restaurant and want to venture solo. I am thinking on focusing on a few items (5 maybe) that I master and sell them to gourmet shops and individuals. I am not looking to have a store front right now. Any suggestions?
I know this is broad and we don’t know each other and you are probably extremely busy but I am eager to turn a new page and now could not come any sooner. More details on your experience would be appreciated.
You can read about my dilemna in the post titled “explanation” from last friday.
Thank you for reading this.
October 26, 2006 at 3:17 am
Cindy
What a delicious week!
November 9, 2006 at 3:15 am
Margo
You’re little guy is so adorable!!
November 29, 2006 at 4:49 am
leslie shapiro
Hi,
I loved your Bio. I am a new student at the San Diego Culinary Institute in the Baking and Pastry program. I love this so much, but lately I feel like I have no talent in this business. My chef always looks disappointed at how my cakes turn out. Not the cake itself, but the decorating. I cant find inspiration. Do you have any suggestions to decorate simple round layer cakes with buttercream? I need some suggestions that are eye-catching, simple and that I can do in a short amount of time. Please help me!!! Oh and if you have any suggestions on practicing piping, or any favorite books with deco techniques. I reallt do appreciate any help you could give me. Hope to hear from you soon. Good luck in all you do. God Bless
Leslie Anne
December 30, 2006 at 9:22 pm
Carmen Herrera-von Wrangell
Was looking for inspiration for tomorrow’s dessert. New Year’s Eve. I’m makig a croque-en-bouche, hopefully to look like those I remember my grandmother and mother making. Loved yours! It was modern but also traditional. Oh la-la! Let’s pray I don’t wind up in the emergency room, burned by the spun sugar! Bonne Anee!
January 2, 2007 at 5:30 am
artisansweets
Leslie – I am really tardy on this response. I apologize. First of all… don’t let the opinion of one Chef discourage you… If I did that I would have left after the first night at Spago.
It’s true what they say… practice makes perfect. I find my greatest inspiration in so many sources. From other bakers, Martha Steward Weddings, CakeWalk (an incredible book), wedding sites & books, nature… etc. I just keep my eyes open.
As far as simple piping goes… I love the look of small dots on a cake… then adorned with fresh flowers. I think fruits and flowers are God’s greatest cake decorations. Sugared flowers are super easy to make. Just brush with and egg white/water mixture then sprinkle with super fine sugar. That gives a nice sparkle to any petal, flower, leaf or herb.
I hope that helps a little.
Don’t get discouraged. Thanks for visiting my site. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help.
August 10, 2007 at 8:29 am
Yujai
I’ve just came across your blog today. Your work looks awesome! and hey, I’ve just moved to Washington state too! Please tell me some good dessert/bakery/pastry places in town 😀
November 7, 2007 at 1:29 am
Maggie
Hi,
my name is Maggie, i have an absolute passion for cooking, especially baking and believe i am a pastry chef trapped in the body of an office worker.
since coming across your blog you have been my absolute inspiration to bring my catering dreams and passions forward and have finally convinced my partner in crime (who is incidentally a chef) to go into business.
i would just like to wish you all the best with the pregnancy, your family and especially with your catering, as i aim at starting the whole process from scratch.
wishing you all the very best.
Maggie.
March 5, 2008 at 10:30 am
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March 6, 2008 at 3:42 pm
artisansweets
Maggie –
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Please continue to let me know how your business goes. I love hearing about people who follow their passions. It is a true blessing to be able to do what you truly love in life.
June 26, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Shannon
Ashley Baron??? I can’t believe its you! This is so crazy… I’ve been reading your blog for some time now and JUST looked at your picture and made the connection. How funny. OK, who am I? Well, I used to be Shannon Harmon (now Potter). Lord, what a strange coincidence. What incredible success you have had. I am so happy for you and absolutely love your writing. I love your passion for food, that which I share. How funny to run into you as it were. Well, even more reason to love your blog. Hope to talk to you soon.
Shannon
July 11, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Ashley p Kimberley
Ash, I love you. Your blog is inspiring and makes me proud to be your friend. See you soon. I need a dose of your baby boys! Your blog is gorgeous and delicious.
October 19, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Beth
Hello– I’m trying to contact you to request permission to link to one of your wonderful recipes for our upcoming Handmade Holidays feature. I haven’t been able to find a contact email via your site, so I’m hoping you’ll contact me so I can fill you in on the details. Thank you so much for your time! I’ve really enjoyed exploring your blog.
–Beth
October 20, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Monica
Hello – I was wondering if there was an e-mail address I could reach you at? I love your site and I wanted to send something your way. Thanks!
February 28, 2009 at 1:18 am
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February 28, 2009 at 1:18 am
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March 28, 2009 at 1:46 am
hoang
Are you a professional photographer because your pictures are quite good! I love seeing them combined with your writing. It makes it an interesting blog.
April 20, 2009 at 12:54 am
artisansweets
I’m not but my husband is. He has taken quite a few of the photos but recently they have been mine – and he has taught me everything I know. Thank you for the kind comment!
April 2, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Helle
I love your blog. I especially admire how professional, yet personal it is. I can’t believe how talented you are, and the pictures are stunning. I can’t stop looking at all the photos. I am process in buying a new camera for my food photography obsession, so I’m wondering what camera you’re using? thank you.
September 12, 2012 at 9:27 am
Tricia
I think everything wrote was very logical. But, consider this,
what if you added a little information? I mean, I don’t want to tell you how to run your blog, but what if you added a headline that makes people desire more? I mean About « Artisan Sweets is a little vanilla. You should peek at Yahoo’s home page and see
how they create article titles to get viewers to click.
You might try adding a video or a related picture or two to get people interested about everything’ve written. Just my opinion, it could bring your blog a little bit more interesting.
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