maker: Kristine of Creme Caramel LA

I’ve always had a love for caramel. So when I saw the name of this yummy looking bakery, I couldn’t help but want to know more! This sweet little business was honored to be on of the 23 LA businesses recognized by Mayor Eric Garcetti and SBA as an  “Outstanding Small Business” in 2014. So if you are near Sherman Oaks, stop on by and check out Crème’ Caramel LA. And in the meantime, meet Kristine and read about her journey as our feature maker this week!

-Angie Andre

please introduce yourself.

My name is Kristine de la Cruz and I’m the unofficially titled, (Co-) Owner, Baker, Bread Pudding Maker of Crème Caramel LA.  I was born in San Francisco, but spent my formative years in Southern California.  (Chino-San Dimas-Claremont)  Sean (Gilleland, co-owner of Crème Caramel LA) and I live in Los Angeles.

what do you make or do?

Crème Caramel LA started out as a custard dessert company specializing in crème caramel and bread pudding.  Since we started the business in 2010, we’ve been promoting all things custard and have expanded the custard menu to custard pies, puddings, quiches, savory custard dishes.  We’re happy to have blossomed into other confections when we opened our shop in Sherman Oaks last year with our head baker, Lisa Yi, at the helm.

where can we find your creations?

You can find us online at cremecaramella.com, or come visit our 9 month old shop in Sherman Oaks!  14849 Burbank Blvd | Sherman Oaks | CA | 91411  818.949.8352. We are also on Twitter, Facebook, Yelp and Instagram. If you want to sign up for our newsletter, and get details on our next event, pop-up and market, you can do that HERE!

how long have you been creating and is it your full-time job?

CCLA became my full-time job in September 2012.  We started the business with the intent of establishing the brand and promoting our desserts to the food community in Southern California while I was working full-time at my old job as a music/road manager for a special event music agency.  A year and a half after we started, the time came to devote my time fully to Crème Caramel LA in order to push the business forward.  The next year and a half, we contracted sales staff to work our farmers’ markets (15 markets at our peak) and also began our search for a permanent home base.  In the middle of last year, 2013, we found our home in a little bakery shop that had been around since the 1940s in Sherman Oaks.  The neighborhood is AMAZING and we could not be happier making our mark in the valley.

where do you find inspiration?

We find inspiration in seasonal food (fruits and comfort food), Filipino dishes (Ube and Buko Pandan), and also our fellow food artisans – amazing food vendors that have wonderful products that we incorporate into our recipes.

what’s on the horizon for you and what you do?

We will have our first anniversary in September 2014.  When that day comes, we will celebrate with everyone that’s supported us and really, just have been kind with their love and attention.  We could not have done it without each and every person that’s tasted and walked through our door.

CUSTARD PIC - PRICE LIST QUICKBREADS PIC - PRICE LIST Screen shot 2014-05-19 at 8.05.47 PM Sean and Kristine

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