Meet Shelly Ricci | Custom Cake and Cookie Designer

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

Hi Shelly, what’s your definition for success?
Success is the smiles and gasps when I deliver a cake that wows everyone. It is being watched with wonder as I place delicate sugar flowers on a wedding cake. It is the delight in opening a text from a client after their event and learning how much they loved the cake and how there was none left because everyone went back for seconds. It is waking up each morning to make beautiful, ephemeral art. It is choosing each day to make pretty sugar and help people celebrate the happiest moments of their lives. I am incredibly grateful that I have the ability to work at a job that fulfills me and for clients who not only appreciate the work I do, but take time out of their schedules to reach out and tell me that.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
25 years ago, I wanted a nice cake for my daughter’s 1st birthday. Being a delusional over-achiever, I also wanted to do it myself even though I hadn’t a clue where to begin. Over the years, we had two more children and I had many opportunities to practice my craft. Somewhere along the way, I started making cakes as gifts for friends and their children.

Those early days were a mix of fun and frustration because I always wanted to learn how to do something new. I suppose I could have done the sensible thing and taken a class or actually gone to culinary school but I have this crazy independent streak and just insist on figuring things out for myself. I had to learn the hard way that dowels are needed when making a tiered cake, that fondant is fickle, and that sometimes patience is the most important ingredient in creating edible art.

When I first started my business 10 years ago, I was a knot of anxiety and stress. I had to create recipes, establish a brand, and develop clients all while learning new techniques with every order. Instead of saying, “I don’t know how to make that,” I would just figure it out, sometimes after more tears than I care to admit. Honestly, there were a few times I almost gave up but I realized that with each mistake, each week that I was behind, I would come up with systems and tools to solve issues and through hundreds of hours of decorating, finally gained confidence in my ability to craft something that could serve as a show-stopping centerpiece and coincidentally, a memorably delicious dessert.

Nowadays, I have the confidence that comes with time and practice but what hasn’t changed is I’m still learning all the time. My greatest joy is in creating wedding cakes with sugar flowers so intricate they are mistaken for real flowers. From first contact, weddings are my favorite part of this business. I loved my cake tasting as a bride myself and I adore getting to provide that special day now for couples. Meeting my couples, getting to know them and their vision while watching them delight in the flavors set before them so much that they have a hard time eliminating choices, is pure happiness. Providing a bespoke, custom cake that speaks to them, serves as decor at their event and is the finishing touch to their celebration is about as perfect as job as I could ask for. It sounds corny but I really do put love into every single order. I put just as much thought into design and taste as if each cake were for my own children. Someday, I will get to make their wedding cakes. Until then, I will pour all that energy into making yours.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start the day at Con Leche. It’s this little, neighborhood coffee shop but it genuinely has some of the best coffee in the city. I love to be outside so the belt line would be a necessity. After a nice walk through the Krog st. tunnel, we could grab some lunch at Krog St. Market. I love food halls because there is so much to choose from and you can get a random assortment of deliciousness, convene at a table and try it all together. I’d have to take them to Ponce City Market of course, but I also love Colony Square. There is something about sitting at the bar in the center of the hall having a couple drinks while you scope out the food stalls and decide what’s for dinner. Wandering Little 5 could take up a whole day and maybe see something at the Plaza at night. The Shakespeare Tavern, the Botanical Garden and this weird, little found-art hike called the Doll’s Head Trail are all places I’ve taken friends. And of course, Little Tart Bakeshop would have to be on the list. Gotta have a sweet treat!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My sister made me do it. It sounds funny but it’s true. About 10 years ago, we were re-locating from Massachusetts to Georgia and my sister was so excited to have us nearby. I think she knew I was hesitant about turning my hobby into a business. I was worried about disappointing people but she was really proud of my work and saw an opportunity that I wasn’t ready to see. She just plastered Facebook with photos of my cakes and told people to hire me when I got down here. I’m not gonna lie, I felt a mix of panic and pride. It was nice to be recognized for the work, but I really needed a little push. Ten years later, and I couldn’t imagine it any other way. I have the best job in the world.

Website: https://toptiercustomcakedesign.com

Instagram: @toptiercakesatl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toptiercustomcakedesign

Image Credits
CS Lisenby Photography
Lamb of Light Photography