maha barrani
pastry arts
332 east 900 south
slc, ut 84111
801.596.3353
by appointment only
what got you into the pastry business?
i have a degree in anthropology with a minor in middle eastern studies but realized i didn't want to pursue anything with that. i was attracted to the creative aspect and really enjoyed baking. from there i started working in a bakery.
how long have you been in business?
14 years in business
over 20 years in the industry
what would you say your "specialty" is?
depends on the mood i am in. different things at different time of the year/season appeal to me.
do you do taste tests?
yes and i always send samples home that way you don't have to eat them in front of me and its not high pressure.
what is your top selling flavor of cake?
lemon and/or chocolate.
when i say i have the best chocolate cake in town, i mean it.
what is YOUR favorite flavor of cake?
almost every year i make a chocolate raspberry orange cake for my birthday.
how do you advance your techniques?
i am continually trying new things. i spend lots of time on something new or that is not on my menu and i perfect it. recently i have been working on my own personal croissant recipe.
how long before a bride should have her cake chosen and ordered?
depend on the time of year.
peak season months are june and august. but really may - sept are busy.
how do you help a bride choose her cake design?
its a joint effort. sometimes a bride comes in and has a definite idea/vision of what she wants and i just give them a price. sometimes i have to sit down with a bride and ask about her colors, venue, invitation, etc. then i will have her look at some of my work and get an idea of what she likes and build from there. colors, silhouette, etc. i always draw something up so i make sure i am on the same page as my bride.
average price for a cake?
varies largely but off the top of my head. a cake for around 120 people will average $600. but i have cakes that vary from $200 to $1200+. people don't pay for more then what they are getting. i always break down all of my costs.
what do you do that has nothing to do with pastries?
i am an avid 4 season garner!
what questions do brides tend to ask you most often?
when is the cake going to be baked? my answer is that it is a three day project and i decorate the day of.
what sets you apart from other cake vendors?
brides mothers will come in and talk about how their cake looked great but it tasted awful . . . they remember that 25 years later! i am a trained baker. didn't approach my job for the "its fun to decorate" factor. i approached it as wanting to be a good baker. having straight cakes. and it has to taste good. i will come back and work a grave shift to re-bake a cake if it doesn't look right or straight. i obsess with getting it perfect.
is there anything else we should know about pastry arts?
in terms of a wedding cake. i do everything from start to finish. from meeting my bride to delivering the cake. i don't want anything lost in translation.
