Sam Slade grew up around cakes and other baked goods at her family's bakeries in Chicago, so batter is in her blood. At the beginning of the year, she launched Valhalla Cakes inside the Temple Bakery in the Curtis Park neighborhood to test the market for her own creations. And now she's found a permanent spot and will open Valhalla Cakes at 4426 Tennyson Street in the Berkeley neighborhood tomorrow, April 22.
Slade has been baking professionally for seven years, including four with Le Bakery Sensual. But she also has an artist's touch and graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago; her talent can be seen in her fondant and chocolate creations, such as a giant Venus fly trap cake in the style of Little Shop of Horrors that she recently completed for a customer.
Valhalla Cakes is named for the Norse version of heaven, and Slade uses a valkyrie as her company's mascot. In addition to decorative cakes for special occasions, the shop will also offer cookies, cupcakes, ready-made cakes and other sweets. Stop by Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; for special orders, drop in at the store or call 303-619-5952.
You can see more of Slade's work on the Valhalla Cakes Instagram and Facebook pages; a website is also in the works.