Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Ellis.
Hi Lauren, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America earning a bachelor’s in business management and baking and pastry arts. Once graduating in 2010, I moved to NYC to work in three-star restaurants Colicchio and Sons; and Betony. In 2014, with experience under my belt, I set out to find adventure by moving to Sydney, Australia. Traveling allowed me to discover new cultures and flavors. I also worked in two of Sydney’s finest restaurants: Aria Sydney and Tetsuya’s. Following my year of exploration, I moved back to the states and experienced fast pace restaurants in Chicago. There I had the honor of working at Gilt Bar and Floriole Cafe and Bakery.
In 2020, I took all of the knowledge I gained and decided to build something of my own. I came back my hometown Detroit and officially started Walter Pat’s Bakery Cafe. Being able to share my talent with the community is a dream come true.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This industry isn’t easy and your driven by pure passion but no one could have expected the pandemic. I moved back to Detroit 3days before the lockdown. Almost all plans for my business went out the window. Thank God for friends and family who were buying my seasonal monthly pastry boxes. They helped profit that first year of Walter Pat’s. They help me realize not to give up and just keep going, the hard work will pay off.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Walter Pat’s Bakery Cafe is a seasonally driven small-batch black woman-owned bakery, based in Detroit. Walter Pat’s showcases unique flavor combinations and some good classics, as well. We are inspired by our Midwest upbringing and southern influence.
We are known for being different and having flavor combinations that most people haven’t tried before. We want to broaden people’s taste buds and wow them with flavor. You’ll find pastries like fennel blondie, strawberry corn cake, vegan raspberry zucchini muffin, chili caramel corn, and many more with us.
I’m most proud of my over-decade-long career in the hospitality industry baking and pastry world. I’m bursting with knowledge and ideas, I’m just so happy that I get to finally show them off.
What’s next?
The plan for the future is to have our own brick-and-mortar. A place where the community can not only get delicious pastries but sandwiches and specialty drinks as well.
Contact Info:
- Email: Info@walterpats.com
- Website: Walterpats.com
- Instagram: @walterpatsdetroit
