We knew Dedra for at least a year before we realized she was a devastatingly talented baker. Which proves her humble and friendly demeanor. So we will take the lead with bragging for her. Please meet your neighbor Dedra Haynie of Calistoga Cakes.
Tell us about Calistoga Cakes. Did you always know you had this undeniable talent for baking?
No, not at all. I’ve been a Veterinary Technician, a Retail Store Manager, a Barista, and a Chiropractor. I’ve always loved to bake because I love to eat, but I never considered it as a career. Then my brother asked if I could make his wedding cake. I read every book I could get my hands on and made a pretty decent wedding cake, if I do say so myself. After that, I applied to The Culinary Institute of America and won a full scholarship in a brownie competition hosted by the school. So like the Clampetts, we packed up and moved to California. We loved living in Napa Valley. After graduation we decided to stay in Calistoga, CA, and Calistoga Cakes was born.
Your designs are remarkable and honestly put some of these “cake wars” stars to shame. Have you ever competed?
Thank you. In addition to winning that scholarship, I also won a $2000 ticket to an event for chefs and winemakers called Taste3. I’ve competed in a few small, local competitions. I won $100 at the Calistoga Farmer’s market with homemade cherry pop tarts, and again with an apple crisp pie. I won the People’s Choice award for entering a burger and fries cake into an April Fools themed art show. The biggest competition was San Francisco Magazine’s Best of the Bay – Wedding Cakes. I made it to the final round against cake designers who have been featured on Food Network, but the funny thing was, none of us won! The winner made a croquembouche, which is a tower of profiteroles that is often served at weddings in France. It wasn’t even a cake! I was robbed! I have also been commissioned to make a cake for the Napa Valley Film Festival and a “Royal Wedding Cake” for a live showing of the Royal Wedding at the historic Cameo Cinema in St. Helena.
What brought you to Wash Park? Where are you from originally?
I’m originally from a small town in East Texas on the Louisiana border. I completed my undergrad at Texas A&M, then my Doctor of Chiropractic at Parker University in Dallas. My husband got a job here in Denver and we found a rent house on craigslist in this cute little neighborhood called Washington Park. We’ve lived here ever since (excluding our time in Cali while I attended the CIA.)
You live just steps from Old South Gaylord St. What is your favorite part of living here?
Are you stalking me? Just kidding! This neighborhood is the BEST. Moving here from a small town where we knew everyone, I was worried I wouldn’t have that sense of community here, but we absolutely do. We know our neighbors and the shop owners. Our kids all go to the neighborhood school. We carpool, and ride bikes at the park, and share a glass of wine on the front porch (aka Front Porch Friday!) I’ve lived on both the West and East sides of Wash Park and it’s the same. That small town feel in the city. We are a community in every aspect of the word and I could not have been luckier than when I found that rent house on craigslist. That was 15 years ago and we still have a “house” Christmas party with all former and current renters!
How do potential clients get in touch with you about your cakes?
I’m all over the inter webs. For information on pricing, styles, flavors etc, the website is the place to go CalistogaCakes.com. You can find reviews on Yelp! and pictures on FaceBook and Instagram. You can email me directly at CalistogaCakes@gmail.com or you can text me at 720-316-9939. There aren’t too many bakeries in Denver that specialize in sculpted cakes like I do.
What was your favorite design to date? Have you ever said “no” to a certain request?
I don’t have just one favorite. I love the cakes that look like something else, like sushi, a burger and fries, or an adding machine. I also love to see a cake perfectly fit into an event theme, like the meat guitar cake for Wash Park’s own band, The Denver Meatpacking Company. It’s rewarding to make a cake that is very personalized. The cake I made for the Napa Film Festival was representing a movie called Hank and Asha. I was able to include edible photos of actual scenes from the movie. The clapboard, also completely edible, included the names of the actors, director and producer. Don’t tell, but I also like making the naughty cakes for bachelor and bachelorette parties. I’ve even made a “Sexiversary” cake! I have had to say no to one request, but this is a family publication so I can’t say what is was!