If you have already visited the Trenčín confectionary with the apt name "She bakes", it must have been clear to you immediately that "she bakes" with joy and love. That's exactly how guests feel in her pastry shop, and this is also evidenced by its placement in the top three of the best gastronomic establishments in the Trenčín region. In case you haven't been lucky enough yet, we'd like to introduce you to this sweet paradise and the person behind it.

1. First of all, please tell us something about yourself. Who are you and how did you get into baking?

My name is Ivana and I am from Trenčín. I really wanted to prove that things can be proven with honest work, that people know how to appreciate quality, time and everything you dedicate to them. That's what SHE CARES about.

I have been building a relationship with baking since I was a child. I used to go to my aunt, who was an accomplished confectioner and cook, a person with a kind heart. Everything she knew, she tried to teach me. And of course, such relationships also apply to education and family. So, baking became close to my heart thanks to my family, my mother, grandmother and grandmother (who also liked to bake and cook). It was never my dream to bake a thousand desserts or a huge cake. It's better to make a smile and feel good - albeit with a cookie.

I baked like everyone else, normally at home on Sunday, a cake here and there, but nothing revolutionary. My friend gave me the idea, with whom we started going to school for a pastry course, which ended with an exam, based on which we could open a business. I didn't believe it - I ran to the Trade Office, or something. Can I really be the mistress of my time and work and realize my dream of something of my own? And so I threw myself headlong into it, with the idea of taking homemade cakes to cafes. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Magic Pantry in Dubnica nad Váhom for the trust they gave me, for the years we spent together, for the fact that the Magic Pantry was "my" house of cakes.

However, there was no larger establishment in Trenčín where I could present myself, give customers the opportunity to buy something more, etc., so we intensively started looking for a space - our own. Thanks to coincidences and the pandemic, we are here today.

2. How long has your pastry shop been operating? When did you come up with the idea to open a business?

We opened in October 2021 after several months of complete renovation of the premises, so that they could close us again due to covid. After the spring opening, we experienced incredible interest and a boom in customers, for which we still thank them today.

3. What can a visitor find at your place besides desserts?

In addition to cafe cakes and cheesecakes, small cakes, sweet treats, pavlovka, to the iconic "our" pinwheel - a combination of French confectionery with an honest Slovak base, visitors can enjoy a delicious coffee, homemade lemonade or fantastic tea.

We have added retro sandwiches, stuffed roulades, croissants to the assortment, we are finally dedicated to preparing breakfast - fresh and honest, so you will soon have something to look forward to.

4. Do you have any specialties that you like to show off?

They are not even specialties, but we also pay a lot of attention to people with intolerances. Whether it is lactose, gluten (not to mislead - traces of gluten or lactose yes), we try vegan desserts, raw... This is how I want to thank the girls for their 100% professional and humane approach to this topic, for the fact that they handle the material, desserts from preparation to packaging in such a way that the customer feels the responsible attitude of the entire operation.

5. Your desserts look amazing, where do you get your inspiration from?

Inspiration is all around us. Are we looking for her or is it a coincidence. I read a lot, I have about 1000 pastry and other gastro books, I have completed dozens of courses and trainings. I like to travel, get to know, smell and taste. I'm following the manuscript. The Internet is full of successful and unsuccessful inspiration. Just choose.

However, "my girls" already bake with us, so I taught them the basics, we fine-tune the details together, and then it's only their merit, their feelings and mood, which can be seen on the desserts. I just subtly guide them :-)

6. Would you like to say something at the end?

Well thank you.

Thank you for every pie, cake or other dessert eaten. For every cup of coffee, lemonade, or bread eaten.

Thank you for every word that inspires us to move forward.

Thank you for every vote of support.

Thanks to the family for supporting this crazy project.

Thank you to those who bake, fill, cut, decorate, pack, load, make coffee, clean, supply, bill... Thank you to business partners and "households" for tolerance and patience... without them, ONA BAKERY would not exist.

Photo: ONA PEČIE archive

Text: PG