A Thanksgiving celebration with my family is like a top chef finale, only instead of facing 4 judges, you're facing 20, each of whom believe in their heart of hearts that they truly deserve 3 Michelin Stars. My family, bless each of their hearts, believes in equality and speaking the truth. Translation: if my 10 year-old niece made stuffing and it’s not good, she and her parents will hear suggesti
ons from each guest on how to improve on her next attempt at age 15, because we won't be letting her cook it again, or anything for that matter, for at least 5 more years. Needless to say, this environment produces thick-skinned culinary specialists. After many failures, I was fortunate to meet a sweet genius. Together we worked on and perfected cupcakes that received the stamp of approval from each one of my self-proclaimed Michelin Star deserving family members. With the most difficult task behind, Elaine’s was established in January and specializes in cupcakes designed specifically to delight the most sophisticated palate. We offer familiar favorites such as Carrot Cake and Maroon Velvet. However, we are definitely known best for our decadent specialties such as Wicked Chocolate, a semi-sweet chocolate cake kissed with rum and topped by a bittersweet chocolate ganache cream cheese frosting and dark chocolate 100% Cacao shavings, and our Tiramisu with coffee liqueur infused vanilla base lying below a blanket of mocha cream cheese frosting garnished with crushed chocolate-covered espresso beans. If these small delights have the ability to win over each of the Simon Cowells in my large family, then I know you and your guests at your next event will love them! Our recent relocation to San Francisco allows us to provide increased services to the Northern Peninsula, but we can still offer catered confections to the entire Bay Area and extend our delivery services to the majority of Northern California. People often ask me why the company is called Elaine’s and not Anthony’s, as it makes them wonder if I am truly the baker/owner of the company. Yes, I do bake all of our cupcakes and I am the owner. The company is entitled Elaine’s in honor of my mother, Rebecca, and sister, Laanda, who share it as a middle name. Elaine’s Maroon Velvet is our twist on the classic Red Velvet Cake. It’s a fine chocolate red base lying below a layer of our classic vanilla cream cheese frosting. One of the owners attended a small liberal arts school in Atlanta Georgia named Morehouse College and insisted that it be called Maroon Velvets in tribute of his alma mater. Friends, family, and customers have all inquired into a name change. Unfortunately, on this particular issue the cliché saying holds true. You can tell a Morehouse Man, but you can’t tell him much.
