The Story

Truth is, I wasn’t always mindful about what I put into my body. My high school years were fueled by frozen pizzas and bowls of Cinnamon Toast Crunch (no regrets). It wasn’t until my sophomore year of college, when I finally had a kitchen of my own, that I began making more intentional choices. That shift is when I truly started to notice how deeply food and exercise impacted me, both physically and mentally.

Then came my junior year, when I moved to Paris to study abroad. That experience completely changed my perspective on food. It opened my eyes to just how different the food system is in the United States. And yes, it’s also where my love for pastries really took off (a croissant a day felt like a necessity, not a luxury). But what stood out most was how my body responded—gluten didn’t trigger my usual eczema flare-ups, dairy didn’t lead to breakouts, and even sugar felt… cleaner. More real.

That realization was a turning point. I knew that if I wanted to nourish my body without giving up the foods I loved, I had to rethink my relationship with food entirely.

Through a lot of trial and error, I’ve learned what works for me, and what doesn’t. One thing I firmly believe is that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to eating. Diets like vegan, keto, or paleo may work for some, but not for everyone. What I do believe in is this: when we prioritize whole, real ingredients, we give ourselves a much better chance at feeling our best.

That philosophy is at the heart of my baking. I focus on using real, thoughtfully sourced ingredients to create treats that feel indulgent, but are made with intention. The kind of baked goods you can swap in for your favorite packaged cookies or bakery staples without sacrificing taste.

Because let’s be honest… eating “healthy” should never feel boring. We all deserve to indulge.

Baking has always been something I’ve loved, so being able to share this with you feels incredibly special. My dream is to open a bakery one day in Los Angeles—the city where I was born and raised. While I currently work full-time in the corporate world, I’ve recently made the decision to dedicate my free time to building Have Your Cake LA into something meaningful.

I offer treats for a variety of dietary preferences and am always happy to accommodate others. Because at the end of the day, everyone deserves balance without guilt. Everyone deserves real ingredients without compromising on flavor.

And of course, everyone deserves to have their cake and eat it too.

xo,
Chelsea