Photograph courtesy of Yum Yum Dessert Co.
A food truck for several years, Yum Yum Dessert Co. (formerly Yum Yum Cupcake & More) is opening a store in Buckhead this Friday. Offerings range from the traditional (chocolate eclairs and vanilla cheesecake) to the unique (Mad Mama pimento cheese croissant and Kennedy key lime cupcakes). Serving select gluten-free items, sundaes made with Greenwood Ice Cream, and Rev Coffee drinks, DeMessa hopes the second time is the charm when it comes to a brick-and-mortar dessert spot.
What’s your background? I started college in marine biology. When I moved to Atlanta, I started getting into baking. My aunt owns a bakery in Orlando. As a teenager, I helped her. I never thought about it as a career, but I was watching the Food Network a lot. I experimented myself and went on from there. I had started doing chocolates. People were asking me if I do cakes, and I was like “Sure, no problem.”
When did you officially start baking for work? In 2004, I was on my third child. I stopped working—I used to be an account manager at Suite Hotel—and baked from home. I was selling to friends of friends and doing corporate events. I opened up a storefront in 2005 in Grayson, where I live. I had it for two years, but I had a one-year-old and a little baby, and it was just beyond what I could do. So, I closed it and did custom cakes.
How did you get started in the food truck business? Three to four years ago, I watched dessert truck specials on TV and thought that was a cool idea. It started as a tent in festivals, then a trailer, and then a truck.
Where can we find the trucks? We’re at some festivals. Come the end of April, we’ll do mainly the nighttime food truck events: Alpharetta, Smyrna, and Duluth Nights in those neighborhoods. The trucks are mainly out April through October, plus corporate events. This summer, you may see us at 12th and Peachtree streets. The city of Atlanta has a new program where they’re allowing vending on the streets.
How do you come up with your recipes? I never went to school for baking and pastry. Some people just have a knack for it. I guess it was my calling. My aunt and grandmother were bakers. I can look at something, revamp a recipe, and get it right and get it done.
What new flavors do you have in the works? I’m from Jamaica and want to try to put a Caribbean touch to [the flavors] eventually. Maybe we’ll add some guava. There is a fruit from Jamaica called an [Otaheite] apple. It’s not grown here. It’s similar to a pear. I’m going to try to use that in some of my desserts. We also have plantain tarts.
What will the new Yum Yum shop be like? There’s seating for eight inside and four to six outside. It’s only 595 square feet, so I will be between the store and our kitchen in Decatur. It’ll be open seven days a week.
Will you offer delivery? I deliver all over. The cost varies between $10 and $25 with at least a $40 purchase. Mostly deliveries are for larger, custom items, like wedding cakes.
What do you have planned for the grand opening? April 18-20 we’ll have giveaways and raffles for free cupcakes, and we’ll be giving out free mini cupcakes to the first one hundred people each day.
Yum Yum Dessert Co.
3792 Roswell Road
http://yumyumcupcake.com
