By Jasmine Willis
WAYLAND — A local bakery is all the buzz around the community as it gears up to provide fresh goods for hungry travelers.
ML Cakes and Catering will hold its grand opening on Nov. 10 at 7:30 a.m. at 11461 St. Rt. 21 in Wayland. It is right next to T&J Auto Parts.
Melissa Landis, ML Cakes and Catering owner held a small gathering to thank family and friends for the support shown towards her dreams on Oc. 31. A walkthrough of the bakery was given to this local reporter. The building itself has been leased and worked on thoroughly by John Palmer and his construction crew.
“John Palmer is amazing. I could not ask for a better landlord. He and the guys have worked their butts off to make my dream store come true. Palmer General Contracting has done all the work. I and my friend painted the walls purple. Terry Burke did all of the electric,” Landis said. “My friend Jennifer Ranney reupholstered all the chairs in the fabric I purchased. My friend Scott Jordan made my wooden coffee cups holder. A Master’s Touch came and cleaned all my fridges and counters. My husband is making me my cashier table out of a gorgeous piece of wood we have.”
Landis got her start doing cakes about 16 years ago, and from that moment she knew what she wanted to do with her life.
“I worked at Create A Cake in Wegmans. Every day I would come home to have my mom bake me a cake. She would let me practice decorating it. She and dad would take my cake creations to work and share them with their coworkers,” she said. “It is nice to see where it all started. I laugh when I think about how bad the first cake was. I have gotten much better now. I do so many different events; weddings, reunions, graduation parties, funerals, bridal showers, baby showers, and everything else. If you want me to come and cook for you I will. I have done catering to anywhere from two to 300 people.”
ML Cakes and Catering will provide breakfast and lunches at the new shop. Breakfast will include breakfast sandwiches, home fries, and build-your-own omelets. Lunch will include soup, salad, and sandwiches. There will be fresh baked good everyday such as croissants, danishes, bagels, scones, and donuts. On special there will be mixed goods like pies, cheesecakes, brownies, and cookies. There will also be coffee, teas, cappuccino, lattes, and expresso.
Landis got her education in this field at The Culinary Institute of America. She expanded to The Greenbrier Sporting Club in White Sulphur Springs WV. It was here she was trained under her mentor and was able to get a job as a private chef in the Caribbean. She was there a whole year catering to the rich on a private island.
Landis said she traveled all over the world doing what she loved only to come get her dream in Wayland. She was about to head to Pittsburgh for her future when she met Eric Landis. From there she had all her dreams fall into place. Landis said she has really taken off with her work in the last few years. She is grateful to the Wayland American Legion for giving her an avenue to use her skills for three years. She worked on catering several events in the kitchen. Kevin Mark is one of her strongest supporters.
“It doesn’t seem possible that I am now able to open my own store. It has been a stressful journey, but it is worth it in the end. I finally get to see my dreams come to life. I am very grateful to everyone who has supported me,” she said. “John Palmer started helping me get this in order right away. As soon as I signed on the lease and told him what I wanted we made it happen. It is better than I could have ever imagined. They took an old office and busted their butts to transform it into my store. The transformation is truly phenomenal. I am so thankful they worked so hard to create my dream for me.”
Landis added there is plenty of support from the community. People are eager to pour into her bakery for fresh homemade treats.
“I have an amazing landlord, great neighbors, and an awesome support system,” she said. “I have plenty of people who can’t wait to pour into my bakery when we open.”
ML Cakes and Catering is located at 11461 St. Rt. 21 in Wayland. It is right next to T&J Auto Parts. Its hours will be Tuesday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be closed Sunday and Monday.