Erin McKenna is the innovative mastermind behind New York City’s beloved lower east side bakery, BabyCakes NYC. BabyCakes is certified Kosher, parve and vegan. If someone you love is plagued by food allergies or dietary restrictions, and you think no one cares, BabyCakes cares! Erin has built her business around caring. Erin’s signature pastel pink vanilla and creamy chocolate frosted cupcakes (and a plethora of other bakery treats) are craved by BabyCakes’ many loyal fans. Even food-restriction-free folks flock to this foodie destination. Erin’s trailblazing-spirit makes her an inspiring “Veggie Girl Power” role model.
BabyCakes NYC: Vegan Heaven. If you are a frequent reader of my blog, you know my obsession with BabyCakes. It’s one of my favorite not-so-guilty pleasures. Not only because it smells like sweet french vanilla and sugarplums the moment you step in the door, and not only because the workers wear those adorably-fun pink and white striped uniforms and not only because it has the best vegan doughnuts, tea cakes, biscuits and cupcakes ever…I love BabyCakes for that extra something special. The super helpful friendly staff, the verbal reminder you receive when you order something that contains spelt, and oh yeah, the fact that any BabyCakes regulars will often see Erin herself, uniform-on, hands-on working in her bakery, that’s pretty gosh darn wonderful.
Interview. Ahead, Erin answers my “Veggie Girl Power” questions…
Trailblazer for Food Allergies and Special Diets. Bravo to Erin for dedicating herself to her BabyCakes vision and succeeding. Though it may now seem almost trendy to be food-allergy-aware, it wasn’t too long ago when labels like nut-free, dairy-free, casein-free, white-sugar free and egg-free were rare finds. BabyCakes treats are healthier, allergy-aware, higher quality versions of beloved bakery classics. No matter what you crave: biscuits, doughnuts, cinnamon “Skinny Buns”, brownies, cookies, cupcakes, muffins or tea cakes. BabyCakes has your treat. I recommend a cinnamon toastie and of course…a cupcake. Pink frosting for me.
Loyal BabyCakes Fan. Yes, I am a fan. I own Erin’s book, a BabyCakes mug and a BabyCakes tee. I’d stop in for a teat every day if my schedule allowed. And I even placed a BabyCakes cupcake on my blog post: Vegan’s Hundred, Foods you must try list.
Now onto the interview…
About The “Veggie Girl Power” Interview. This series celebrates female trailblazers who inspire us! Featured Ladies were chosen for their unstoppable “Veggie Girl Power”, aka a female with experience, wisdom, creativity, skills, heart, worldliness, passion, grace, drive, dedication and personality! Each question is ‘filed’ under one of these VGP characteristics.
Veggie Girl Power Interview: Erin McKenna
Q1. Name and ‘title’.
Erin McKenna, Founder of BabyCakes NYC
Q2. DRIVE: Yawn, sunrise, what is the first food/drink you reach for to start your “Veggie Girl Power” day?
Erin: 1 white grapefruit and a cup of yerba mate.
Q3. HEART: As a “Veggie Girl Power” trailblazer you inspire so many girls/women, who or what was your inspiration at the start of your journey to today?
Erin: I saw a need for a place like BabyCakes NYC where those who couldn’t go to “normal” bakeries could d be treated to everything they were missing out on.
Q4. EXPERIENCE: When people ask you why you ‘went VEG’ what is your usual answer?
Erin: I’m not vegetarian.
Q5. WORLDLINESS: Celebration dinner out, where do you go?
Erin: My favorite restaurant in the city is Minetta Tavern and Vinegar Hill in Brooklyn.
Q6. CREATIVITY: “You can judge a veggie girl by her beverage”…what are your favorite juice/smoothie recipes?
Erin: I like just simple pressed apples with cucumber, lemon, and cayenne pepper.
Q7. DEDICATION: Are there any foods or food brands that you simply couldn’t live without?
Erin: My favorite thing ever is Veganaise by Follow Your Heart. It makes everything taste better!
Q8. WISDOM: What is a favorite life tip or quote of wisdom that you have shared with the world?
Erin: You get what you give.
Q9. SKILLS: And equally important, what is one of your yummiest recipes you have shared with the world?
Erin: I think the chocolate chip cookies are closest to my heart.
Q10. PASSION: What is the one message that you try to project to your fans and those you inspire?
Erin: If you feel it in your heart, you must go for what is tugging at you.
Q11. PERSONALITY: Who would you award the “Veggie Girl Power” label to? And what have you learned from them?
Erin: Emily Woesthoff. She is BabyCakes NYC’s General Manager and a strong vegan who spreads the gospel by example in such a sweet peaceful way. She is such a shining example and inspiration.
Q12. GRACE: How do you respond to negative comments from critics, in real life or on the web?
Erin: I don’t respond. I knew going into this that there would be haters. You can’t please everyone, which is why I do things from the heart and know that at least I will be happy.
Did You Know??
BabyCakes Bright Spotlight. Erin has appeared on most every media outlet you can imagine. By my fave is when she appears on the Martha Stewart Show and shows Martha how allergy-sensitive baking is done. Martha always seems to adore and approve of Erin’s perfectionistic nature when it comes to her recipes. BabyCakes has also been featured in Gwyneth Paltrow’s GOOP newsletter, VegNews, the Rachel Ray Show, Lucky Magazine, Vanity Fair, In Style, Nylon, on Food Network, on the cover of Inc Magazine and even on Oprah’s ‘Best List’! Just to name a few… Needless to say, celebrities and everyday folks can’t get enough of Erin’s cravable creation known as BabyCakes. Hey Los Angeles, BabyCakes second location will be opening in downtown LA “very soon”…get excited!
You can follow BabyCakes NYC on twitter as @BabyCakesNYC
website: BabyCakes NYC
Erin’s bio photo credit: photo credit: Mackenzie Stroh
The VGP Series Continues…Don’t miss tomorrow’s Veggie Girl Power interview with the talented Karina Allrich of Karina’s Kitchen ~Gluten-Free Goddess website…
A Dreamy Saturday? BabyCakes Cinnamon Toastie, Chai in BabyCakes Mug and perusing Erin’s yummy recipes in her book:
BabyCakes Coconut Doughnut:
I’d passion to match steady with that too!
Kathy –
As someone new to the vegan lifestyle and trying to learn as much as I can I thank you for all the information provided from these interviews and the blog in general. Great work!
Baby Cakes is a fabulous idea. Check out more food allergy restaurants at http://www.FoodAllergiesToGo.com
[email protected]
Thanks Emily!
Your comment made my day. So proud to include Erin, she (and her talented Babycakes crew) bring so much joy and vegan yumminess into the world.
~Kathy
Thank you so much for everything, Kathy! We are so happy to be a part of the Veggie Girl Power series.
Love,
BabyCakes NYC
Those pictures are making me drool – AND – I've been sick all day with "morning sickness" but I still drooled over them. 😉
Cheers XOXO,
Kristen
Awesome interview! Looking forward to reading all of your veggie girl power series!
Crystal,
It's a fair question. But as you can read, Erin is one of the leading vegan bakers in the country. And if you've ever visited BabyCakes, you know that it is a dreamland of vegan-friendly treats. It is my personal mission to support girls and guys who help make this world a more vegan, special diet, food-allergy friendly and respecting place. Babycakes truly is one of my favorite vegan destinations in the world, and that's all thanks to Erin's passion and vision.
…to leave her out of this line up based on her own choices for herself is not even in my mindset. I never judge anyone on their personal dietary choices, just as I hope they don't judge me.
Erin is an inspiring, creative, incredibly aware individual whom I have nothing but respect for.
Kathy
I am loving, loving, loving these interviews. They are all amazing women!
If Erin isn't a vegetarian why is she part of a veggie girl power interview?