Name: Carissa Mettling (Carrie)
Title: Owner, Cake Fetish
Age: 32
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Occupation: Bakery Owner
URL: www.cakefetish.com
Firstly, I love the name Cake Fetish—it's the best bakery name I've encountered. How'd you come up with it?
I was buying an all cake issue of a bridal magazine at the supermarket and the cashier said, "Oh, are you getting married?"
I said, "No, I just have a cake fetish.” I thought about it the rest of the day and decided to scrap all of the other names I had come up with.
What was the cupcake scene in Albuquerque like before you came along?
Almost non-existent. There was one place, Slate Street Café, that had a few types of cupcakes on its dessert menu, but other than that, we just had the Crisco-bombs that the supermarkets had to offer.
Why'd you decide to open Cake Fetish, and how have your offerings evolved since you opened? What's the biggest thing you've learned about cupcakes since you opened?
I decided to open Cake Fetish when my job as an architect didn't seem to be satisfying me. I got my inspiration on a business trip to Vancouver where I ran into Cupcakes on Denman Strett. I had been making cupcakes as a "hobby business" up until then. It has definitely proven to be a worthy challenge.
Since we've opened we have expanded our menu quite a bit. We're up to about 45 flavors (website has not been fully updated with them yet) and the mini cupcakes have been a bigger part of our business than I ever anticipated. They were really an afterthought at first. People quite often buy them a few hundred at a time because they like the idea of their guests getting to try several flavors.
I think the biggest thing I've learned about cupcakes is the sheer power they have over grownups sometimes. I have one customer that is here literally every day for an Inside-Out German Chocolate cupcake.
You have so many interesting flavors, such as PB&J, Half-Baked, Love Monkey, Grasshopper, Fluffer Nutter, Sleepless in Albuquerque, and Mojito. How do you come up with the flavors, and are they all available every day? Is any one the most fun to make?
The majority of the flavors and names were thought up by myself before the shop opened. I really just sat down and wrote my dream menu, I hadn't even made most of them until the shop was already open. I allow my employees to invent flavors and names too, but I get the final approval. We have 12 everyday flavors and each day of the week has 4 extra daily flavors. We also have a list of flavors we do just when we're in the mood. My employees will tell you that Love Monkey is my favorite to make but I really prefer the dipped and filled ones.
Speaking of the Mojito, it says that rum may be added to special orders at an additional charge. At what point does the rum come in? Can you get drunk off your cupcakes?
We have stopped making the Mojito because it wasn't a great seller. I would brush a little rum syrup over the cupcake before topping it with the mint/lime icing. We're planning a Cupcake Cocktail series for the summer where we'll be re-introducing the Mojito, but they'll all be alcohol free I'm afraid. Ha ha.
Which time of day is the busiest?
1:00 - 2:00. We're near a few pretty popular lunch spots so we get hit by the business crowd on their way back to the office. Weekends are pretty busy too and we just opened on Sundays due to popular demand.
What's your favorite part of running Cake Fetish?
The actual making of the product is the best part. I still have a cake fetish, you know. The part that has proven to be a challenge is trying to run the business part and trusting others with the cupcake production. It makes my day though when we get a really interesting custom order that lets me have some fun. Check out the pool ball cupcakes on our website.
What's the most popular cupcake you sell?
Either the Velvet Elvis (Red Velvet & Cream Cheese) or the Half Baked (Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough) but when we make Carrot Cake or the Amore (not on the menu, Chocolate Dipped Strawberry) they fly out the door.
Do you have any advice for your customers or potential customers? Is there anything you'd like to let people know about Cake Fetish that they may not glean from the website?
We do awesome custom work. I haven't had a chance to get all of our pictures onto the website, but we really do like to make orders that challenge us.
And now for some personal questions . . .
How often do you eat cupcakes?
About one per week. Usually a La Fiesta (Cinnamon & Chocolate) with a cup of coffee.
What's the best thing about eating cupcakes?
Portion control . . . and the high frosting to cake ratio of course.
What's your favorite type of cupcake?
All my favorites involve chocolate, but I love any cupcake that is made from scratch with real butter icing.
How do cupcakes compare/contrast to other baked goods for you?
They're definitely the most festive and versatile of baked goods, but nothing beats a chocolate chip cookie right out of the oven. I've been known to eat our Half-Baked hot right out of the pan.
Is there any innovation you'd like to see made to the cupcake that would improve it for you?
Honestly, I think they're practically perfect in every way.
Do you bake your own cupcakes? Or (even better) have someone who bakes them for you?
Um, I guess it's either me or my employees baking them. Although I don't eat them much, I do take them everywhere I go.
What's your first cupcake-related memory?
Taking cupcakes to class for my birthday. I'm so sad for the kids these days that can't do that.
What's the most fun you've ever had with a cupcake?
I had cupcakes at my wedding two years ago, so pushing one onto my husband's nose was pretty fun.
Do you have anything else to add?
Love your cupcake bakers! We work really hard to make you look good. :o)
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