by Lorie Lewis Ham
Earlier this summer KRL made several trips to the Reedley Farmers Market taking place at Reedley College and made several delicious discoveries—from food trucks covered in our Great Food Search column, to great local coffee and bakeries! My personal favorite finds were Graceful Bakes, Zolú Café, and Butter Me Up Bakery! This week we are interviewing the owner of Butter Me Up Bakery, Leslie Valadez from Dinuba, California.
KRL: How and when did Butter Me Up Bakery come to be?
Leslie: Butter Me Up Bakery was started for my love of baking! I have been baking since the age of 5. It has always been a way for me to not only express myself, but to show my loved ones how much I appreciate them! After baking for many community events, I was encouraged by those same community members to turn my passion into a business that is how Butter Me Up Bakery came to be on November 12 2022!
Leslie Valadez at the Reedley Farmers Market
KRL: How did you come up with the name?
Leslie: When picking out a name for my business it was very difficult. I knew that it had to fit me and be perfect! After playing around with some recipes and my sister’s help on names I was like wait! Butter is buttered up to make cookies! I was like bingo, that’s it – Butter Me up Bakery! It’s cute and fun!
KRL: How long have you been baking and how did you first get into it?
Leslie: I have been baking since I was 5 years old. My sister was the person who first introduced me to the world of baking. She would have me help her make cakes and cookies. I was not the best at the time, but we had lots of fun!
KRL: Do you have any special training?
Leslie: At the moment I am only self-taught! I have learned all my information from books, YouTube, and other sources! However, I am going to be enrolling into pastry school this fall in order to get more experience in the field!
KRL: What do you love most about baking?
Leslie: Baking is so expansive, and you can do so much with it! I also like learning the chemical reactions that ingredients have with each other! Overall, it’s the creation and exploration of creating new items that makes it fun!
KRL: Where can people purchase your products?
Leslie: My products are available at the Reedley College farmers markets as well as on my Instagram account! The farmers market dates will always be announced on my page as well!
KRL: What all do you sell?
Leslie: There are so many delicious items that I have on my menu! Cupcakes, cookies, brownies, churro cheesecake, blondies, cinnamon rolls, eclairs, tiramisu, and ice pops in the summertime!
KRL: What is your favorite thing that you sell?
Leslie: My favorite item would be the cinnamon rolls. They are super gooey and delicious! They just melt in your mouth when you take a bite!
KRL: What is most popular?
Leslie: My most popular item is the churro cheesecake!
KRL: Do you work out of your home?
Leslie: Yes, I am currently home-based
KRL: Do you have a website and social media?
Leslie: I don’t have a website, but people can find me on Instagram @buttermeup_bakery!
KRL: What are your future goals?
Leslie: My goal for the end of this year is to grow my business and get my name out there! I would also in the next few years move into a studio or commercial kitchen! And someday have a nice little bakery!
KRL: Anything else you would like to share?
Leslie: My dream of owning a small bakery is not just for me. I would love to be my own boss but also give back to those in need! I am a cancer survivor myself, who saw her family go through so many financial hardships. With my dream I want to donate to families in need as well as charities who help those in need for wherever the reason may be!
I have heard that the Farmers Markets should be back at Reedley College this fall and I personally can’t wait!
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