If you have ever seen the Crazy Cakes truck driving around Port Washington and you were curious, here is a little history about the business and the person behind the wheel.
You learn two things about the proprietor, Erica Tiger when you first meet her. One is that family is very important, and two she is an artist. Throughout the years her two passions have crossed paths.
Her background in art includes studies in oil and acrylic painting, woodworking, clay and glass art. Because Erica is both an artist and creative Mom, birthday parties became an opportunity to translate her knowledge and love of art into wonderful birthday cakes for her children.
Instead of plastic figures on top of cakes, Erica created edible chocolate ones. Eventually she became a self taught expert in the art of turning melted chocolate or candy wafers into favorite figures.
As Erica puts it, “Chocolate was a lot like clay.”
She also became interested in working with melted sugar. For Erica it was a lot like working with glass. Sugar was transformed into creative forms like lakes on top of cakes.
In response to the many people who started requesting her cakes, Erica decided to start her own business in 2008, endearingly named Crazy Cakes.
For one particular party she made a four foot-by-four foot grand piano cake. This is a true testament of her dedication.
Erica also began providing allergy free cupcakes at school birthday parties for children with allergies. She became insured with the School District and now does various school events.
By October of last year, Erica had decided to take Crazy Cakes out of her kitchen and on to the road. She purchased the truck in May and soon after Port Washington’s “Nut Free Mobile Bakery” was born.
This unique business serves nut and trace free cupcakes. Fresh ground coffee is brewed and available for customers and in the near future muffins will be added to the menu. Gluten free food is also offered, but her business is not trace free from gluten.
Research is the backbone of this company and Erica has covered everything from becoming a nut free business to the fine art of preparing the freshest coffee from the finest coffee beans.
According to Erica, “for some people, coffee is like a fine wine,” therefore, the coffee beans she buys are from a company that travels the world for the best. The company that sold her the twin coffee machine requested that Erica learn how to brew the best possible pot of coffee. They also assisted her in this endeavor.
Crazy Cakes caters weddings, parties and fundraisers. With her new peddler’s license in hand, she will soon be traveling to corporate parks in Port Washington.
According to Erica, “The inside of the truck is an entire kitchen on wheels.”
There is a professional oven on the truck, in addition to a triple sink, mixer, baker’s rack, hot water heater, a twin coffee machine and coffee grinder. Her business is approved by the Health Department and the truck is inspected a regular basis.
The outside of the Crazy Cakes coffee truck is brilliant. Michelle Tiger Heath, a graphic artist, helped with the logo design and the design of the truck, and JB Chief Signs assisted with the design wrap of the truck. The outcome is sophisticated and fun, much like Crazy Cakes.
Something that Erica stressed was the fact that her business is in the business of helping to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. We can all help. When we buy a cupcake, we can donate a cupcake to help find a cure.
As Erica and I wrapped up our conversation and I took a picture of the truck, a man and his wife drove up to inquire about Crazy Cakes. They loved the truck and the concept.
Erica smiled and said “This is really what it’s all about; I want Port Washington to feel they have their very own Crazy Cakes truck.”
