‘Ālewa Bakeshop (pronounced uh-le-vah), Hawaiian word meaning “to float.” That feeling you get when you taste something exceptionally delicious…
Classically trained, island born, my name is Lisa Yanger and I create handmade, high-end cakes adorned with sugar flowers on special order.
A loving food experience has always been an integral part of my Asian Pacific Islander background, from the huge and outrageously flavorful Chamorro barbecues, to the comforting warmth of grandma’s ozoni on New Year’s Day. I bring the dynamics of those flavors to my business and a sense of family and collaboration to my relationship with my clients. As is true for many people, food and baking are like home to me. As a kid in Hawai’i, I baked chocolate chip cookies with my mom and sister, watched my father’s mother fry up banana doughnuts, and got rice everywhere making musubis for afterschool snacks. Eventually, food became my retreat, therapy, and haven – keeping me company late at night and giving friends and family something to smile about when I shared brownies, coffee cake, or cookies. ‘Ālewa Bakeshop was what I called my “business” when I worked out of my grandma’s kitchen in Honolulu.
I have been working in the food industry since 2011 and have experienced everything from restaurant and sports bar food service to catering and high-end dining. My geographic work experience includes Portland, Brisbane, Honolulu, and Seattle. Through the years, baking and cake decorating have resonated most strongly for me, giving me an opportunity to fine tune my culinary skills and providing a highly satisfying creative outlet. I have been fortunate enough to take classes with Jasmine Rae, Betsy Thorleifson, and Maggie Austin. I was the assistant cake decorator at Midori Bakery until September 2019. With the experience I gained as a baker and cake decorator, I felt I had a sturdy foundation and a solid skillset to start a business. It brings me such joy to share the spirit of Aloha with others as they celebrate their life milestones. And with that goal, ‘Ālewa Bakeshop was born.