mmmm, cake

Man is only truly great when he acts from the passions; never irresistible but when he appeals to the imagination.
-Benjamin Disraeli

About a month ago, leaving Adams Morgan one Saturday night, a sign on U street caught my eye. I was immediately intrigued by the unusual name and unique design; I even told my companion that I wanted to return during business hours to find out more about the apparent bakery.

Then two weeks ago, the Washington City Paper put the owner of the patisserie, Warren Brown, on its cover and ran a 5200+ word story on his local business, CakeLove.

And then earlier this week, I interviewed at LoveCafé, the coffee and pastry shop associated with the bakery. I actually talked with Warren, and was a little overwhelmed, truth be told. (This is why I love Us magazine so much: I am really just a star-struck teenager at heart.) Nevertheless, I was hired, and I start my new job tomorrow!

From all I can see, CakeLove's star is on the rise right now (which is slightly strange to me because I am not usually on the cusp of these things). Warren hosts his own show on the Food Network, Sugar Rush, and--as the Federal Diarist said with dawning recognition as I told him about my new job--"the Post's Style section writes about him all the time." There are several new CakeLove locations slated to be opened in the area next year, and, as Warren mentioned in the interview, his brand is rolling out a new product, a high-quality candy bar, in the near future. He was even on Oprah!

Warren's unique story as a goverment lawyer turned professional baker is overly well documented here, in the links I've provided, and elsewhere, so I won't spill any more ink (or consume any more bandwidth?) in relating my own version. His manifesto on "passion"--a watchword, it seems, at the bakery and café--is quite the philosophical read. I haven't even sampled the wares yet, because it honestly seems in this case that the story is equally appealling as the sweets. (Family, rest assured: I imagine that with my 50% discount I will be bringing home some treats for the holidays!)