At 15, Monica Shaughnessy made her first king cake in a grocery store bakery. Naturally, her early experience was among the fresh baked fares of Calandro’s Supermarket—Shaughnessy’s maiden name is Calandro, and her family owns the beloved local store.
Now 27, Shaugnhessy has a business degree, Louisiana Culinary Institute pastry training and years of bakery experience under her belt. After working successfully as a private baker out of her home for friends, family and weddings, she’s ready to launch her first storefront: Tredici Bakery & Café in the Capital Heights neighborhood.
“People are passing by every day, and they’re like, ‘When are you opening?’ It’s a fun, active area,” Shaughnessy tells 225 Dine.
Tredici will offer Italian cookies and goods, but Shaughnessy’s vision for a full-service bakery doesn’t stop there. She plans to serve her signature “naked” cakes that have generated buzz for her baking, as well as a cupcake bar that will allow visitors to choose their own cake, filling, icing and toppings to build a customized cupcake.
“I hope [the cupcake bar] draws people in. I think that’s a new thing that people like to do—they like to create their own food,” Shaughnessy says. “It’s just fun to be able to create whatever you want to and choose your own flavor combinations, rather than walking in and picking something that’s already made.”
Shaughnessy aims to open Tredici’s at 5078 Capital Heights Ave., near the corner of Capital Heights Avenue and Caddo Street, by Monday.
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