Today we’d like to introduce you to Elsa Del Pozo.
Hi Elsa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My life path has led my career to a corporate world. I’ve been working in the sales in construction industry for just about 20yrs. This field is very in demand and gives hardly any time for a 2nd career. However I did take on a different position in the company that was less demanding. This gave me more time. I’ve always been the coordinator of our family gatherings. When there is a dinner party my husband and I usually cook every course of a meal. The easiest and quickest dessert for me has been flan. So that his been my go to for as long as I can remember. (Plus that’s all I knew how to make). A couple of years ago, having the extra time in my hands, I decided to make tree leches cake and gift it to friends in family. Everyone loved it and I enjoyed making it. My husband watching how happy it made me to bake decided to gift me with a kitchenaid mixer. I was so excited and so thrilled that I turned and said to him… “this is fantastic! Tell me what you’d like me to make you?” And he said… “cheesecake”. (Grim) I’ve never made cheesecake and so I looked up a recipe and tweaked it to my liking, and made my first cheesecake.
My husband who is a non bonafide food critic takes his first bite and his eyes opened wide and said” woe….” Terrified he didn’t like it and embracing myself for his usually brutal and bold comments, I said “you don’t like it” he said “listen, I’ve been around the best restaurants, the best steak houses, the best cheesecakes all over NYC… this cheesecake is, I dare to say, better than juniors” I said “stop it”. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, and he knew I thought he was just being generous. I’ve actually never had a juniors cheesecake, so I wouldn’t be able to compare. He decided to take this into work and just like that I started getting calls to make cheesecakes. I don’t have a best seller really since I’ve become a yes person to the flavor of choice. Piña cooada? Sure. Turtle cheesecake? Sure. Eggless? Sure. Vegan? Of course. What’s running through your mind? lol
My business name De Elsi, came from a dedicated picture of me as a baby that my mother had signed De Elsi. My mother passed away when I was 17. I have limited access to any pictures and I miss her everyday. Whether it’s something small or something big in my life… I carry her with me at all times.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I can’t say I’m a smoothie yet. I certainly have so much to learn. Although my regulars, friends and family seem to think I’m a baker, I still think I’ve just been lucky that my desserts have been so delicious. I think what I’m trying to balance out now is what bake should I make a regular on my menu. It’s difficult to make time while still holding a full time day job, but I’m grateful that I was able to handle so much in the past, because it taught me that I can handle this now. The challenges that I face are in fact an opportunity to venture and to share my love through baking.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I bake sweets. I specialize in cheesecakes and it’s what I’m mostly known for since I started this profession in the last few months. Everyone knows me for flan and cheesecake, but I’m very proud that I’ve been able to venture out to other sweets like sponge cake, crème brûlée, banana bread, pies, and ice cream.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
There is definitely so much competition in the food industry, and with so much publicity on reality baking shows, and recipes published all over the social platforms, one wonders if the small businesses will thrive in such a grandiose industry.
Pricing:
- Prices depend on type of cake, size, and flavor I have personal slices or cups and can make cakes for a large party as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://de-elsi.com/sweets
- Instagram: de_elsi_
- Facebook: @deElsi.24
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@camilodp7519
Image Credits
Jennifer Rey
Bazaart
