Meet Adela Bejo: Pastry Chef/Baker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Adela Bejo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Adela, looking back, what do you think was the most difficult decision you’ve had to make?
Leap of faith! Taking that step forward and trusting myself that I would be walking into my purpose and having faith that everything that was meant for me was on the other side of that fear. This decision came about in 2015 when I decided that there was more to life than just working 9-5 and repeat that same routine for the next 50 years. Cooking has always been something I would naturally do and I did not think twice about it. It was and still is my escape, my meditation, and that place where I get lost in it and its creativity. I decided to make a jump and step in faith to pursue that. If it wasn’t for that leap of faith to drop everything I have ever known in Detroit to move to Chicago and pursue my passion, Hip Hop Bake Shop would not be here today.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Cooking and baking is an art of its own. What I would say sets me apart from other bakeries is that music weighs very heavy in what I do and what I represent. I like to play around with dessert names and name them after Hip Hop lyrics or artists when I can. Here are some of the fun names we have come up within the last two years: Blackberry me a G’ (Blackberry Peach Pie), Busta Lime (Key Lime Pie), C.R.E.A.M (Coconut Cream Pie), Grand Hustle Cheesecake (Salted Caramel Cheesecake), De La Tart (Poptart) and my absolute favorite Bonita Apple Crumb (Apple Crumb Pie). It’s been a journey for sure, an interesting one to say the least. Transitioning to entrepreneurship is something that is not for everyone and it takes a mental and physical toll on you. You have to have persistence and dedication to your craft and remember to never fold. Hip Hop Bake Shop is a woman operated online bakery. Our pies are hand crafted from scratch and made in house. Everything is made with deep love for both music and food.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Detroit has sooo many cute gems to visit and eat. Some of my favorite restaurants are Flowers of Vietnam, Selden Standard and Lady of the House. The best craft cocktails in the city are StandBy & Grey Ghost. Bakeries that are a must is Sister Pie, Good Cakes and Bakes, Dutch Girl Donuts, Warda Patisserie, Sweet Potato Sensations. Walking around downtown or the Riverfront is a great way to check out the city and all the new changes that are constantly happening. My favorite thing to do and of course bring any friends from out of town is to take them to Belle Isle. You can catch a great sunset, have a picnic or even swim in the summer. Cruising Belle Isle in the summer time or even winter, with the music blasting is always a vibe.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A major shoutout goes to my sister, Irsida. She is the reason why I do what I do. She is the one that encouraged and pushed me to pursue my passion in the first place. Another shoutout goes to the very first pastry chef I have ever worked with in Chicago, Anne. Anne is the reason why I know how to bake pies, bread, pastries. She is the one that taught me kitchen etiquette and so much more. Of course I can’t forget about all of my friends that have encouraged me, supported me and been there every milestone to celebrate with me the last 6 years. I am forever grateful for that because you truly can’t do it all alone.

Website: www.hiphopbakeshop.com

Instagram: instagram.com/hiphopbakeshop

Facebook: @Hiphopbakeshop

Image Credits
@crossoniam @trilogybeats313 @breannewhite