Illustration by Jonny Ruzzo
In search of sweet treats to fit her lifestyle, Isabelle Miller, the owner of the home bakery Evolve Bake+Shop, decided to make her own. We recently talked to her about her journey to veganism, building a bigger customer base during Asian Food Fest, and who inspires her.
How did you get into baking?
Miller: I’ve been making desserts since my Easy-Bake Oven days. It was always fun to make treats for family parties and birthdays when I was younger.
Are you vegan? If so, why did you decide to make that change?
Miller: I am! I was on-and-off vegetarian for a couple of years. I was dating someone at the time and they wanted to try veganism to see if it helped with acne. I figured why not? Since being vegan, I learned a lot about animal welfare, health benefits, and environmental benefits. I’ve been vegan for over seven years now.
Why did you decide to make vegan treats?
Miller: When I went vegan, I noticed baked goods weren’t easily accessible. I’d have to go way out of my way and stock up when I found them. That’s what really got me into baking more seriously. I wanted people to have the ease of having a treat whether they were vegan or just dairy free, egg free, gluten free, etc.
Who’s your baking inspiration?
Miller: Okay, don’t laugh! My inner child. When I was a kid, my parents were strict about food. Healthiness was the focal point. Now, mental health and happiness is the focus. Baking is a creative outlet. Desserts bring joy. I think of nostalgic desserts or fun treats my inner child would want, then elevate it and bake it.
Do you work from any family recipes?
Miller: No, I don’t come from a family of bakers. However, I do work from family origins. I’m half Filipina so I like to incorporate flavors from the Philippines.
What do you think are the major differences between Filipino treats and American treats?
Miller: Filipino treats experiment with less traditional dessert ingredients. Common dessert ingredients include ube (purple yam), jackfruit, beans, pandan (leaf). I also think Filipino treats tend to be more balanced while some American treats rely primarily on sweetness rather than flavor.
What’s your favorite treat to bake?
Miller: I get asked this all the time. Honestly, I don’t think I have a favorite. I like to experiment with different flavors and different desserts. I will say, I’ve been very into cake decorating lately!
You’ve participated in Asian Food Fest for the last couple of years now. How did attendees respond to your products this year versus last year? Were you surprised by the response?
Miller: Yes, I love being a part of Asian Food Fest! Sometimes the word “vegan” scares people off. Being a repeat vendor has familiarized people. I think it makes them less scared to venture out to try the vegan food. I was shocked by this year’s response. I sold out within three hours on both days. The conversation is becoming less about it being vegan and more about it just being a genuinely good dessert.
What events do you have coming up this summer? Do you have any reoccurring events scheduled?
Miller: We regularly sell at Harmony Plant Fare in Findlay Market, Bean & Barley in O’Bryonville, Lookout Joe in Mt. Lookout, Wyoming Community Coffee in Wyoming and for our friends across the river, Roebling Books and Coffee in Newport and in Covington. You can catch us all over the Midwest this summer.
Catch Evolve Bake+Shop at these events this summer:
JULY:
July 12 – Popup @ Westside Market, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
July 19 – City Flea @ Washington Park, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
AUGUST:
August 16 – City Flea @ Washington Park, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
August 26 – Popup @ Medpace, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
SEPTEMBER:
September 6 – Popup @ Westside Market, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
September 12 (FRI) Oktoberfest @ Covington 12-8p
September 13 (SAT) Oktoberfest @ Covington 11-11p
September 14 (SUN) Oktoberfest @ Covington 11-11p
September 21 (SUN) Dayton Vegan Festival @ Courthouse Square 12-6p
Facebook Comments