Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariana Rodriguez.
Hi Ariana, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
Hello. My name is Ariana, aka “Chef Naunii”. I am 27 years old. Originally from Lexington, KY. I am the owner of Tía Azúcar where everything is “Baked with Love”. I am a self taught travel baker- I currently serve the East Coast. I started off baking when I was seven years old. I would help my grandmother make things like biscuits, muffins and yeast rolls. At the age of 15, I began taking a food and nutrition class at my local high school and as a final project, we had to decorate a cake. I’ve been in love with baking/cake making since.
Although I wanted to keep the title of “self-taught pastry chef”, I quickly realized there is so much more to pastry art than just cakes. I recently decided to attend pastry school at Auguste Escoffier to further expand my knowledge. Baking has always been a therapy for me- there’s something about putting on my apron and my headphones in, mixing up different ingredients and seeing what beautiful creations I can come up with. After I graduate from pastry school, my ultimate goal is to open a cake studio so I can teach others how to bake and decorate. My second goal is to become a celebrity pastry chef and to be a judge on a baking show.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Definitely NOT, LOL. Although I love baking, the presentation hasn’t always been there which lead me to struggle with confidence and that lead me to not only charge way less than I deserve, but also not promote myself the way I should. Of course, over time I’ve been blessed to take classes from some well-known cake artists. Also, I’ve made met some amazing Chefs through Clubhouse who have turned into family. They’re constantly uplifting me and encouraging me to want better and do better. Entrepreneurship is not for everyone especially not for the weak.
There were times I wanted to give up but I knew I couldn’t give up on something I was called to do. It teaches you to work hard toward your goals and to give yourself the same patience and grace that you give to other people that you may come into contact with,
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a self taught pastry chef, I create magic any time I step into the kitchen. I mainly specialize in cakes and cupcakes. However, I love to make other things like cinnamon rolls, brownies, cookies and cheesecakes. I am extremely proud of myself. I’ve always been one to not complete things I start especially when I get bored but to be able to say I’ve been baking for 20 years and I’m still passionate about it as if it was day one, is a blessing. I spend HOURS researching ingredients in case I come in contact with people who may have allergies or certain dietary restrictions.
I’m always looking for new methods to achieve certain looks. Always ALWAYS looking for ways to elevate not only myself but my business as well.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t believe in luck. God has definitely blessed me with a talent and continues to bless me and my business every single day. I make sure I pray before I even begin to bake. I always notice a difference in my work when I haven’t prayed first- from forgetting an ingredient to my cakes being unleveled to even dropping my finished product.
Pricing:
- Cupcakes (Start): $25/dozen
- 8″ Specialty Cakes: $60
- Custom cakes (Start): $110
- Cheesecakes (Start): $40
Contact Info:
- Email: tiaazucar21@gmail.com
- Website: tiaazucar.square.site
- Instagram: Instagram.com/TiaAzucar
- Tiktok: @Nauniianaaf
