Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Benavides.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story with Cake Craft Shoppe started during a time when small businesses everywhere were struggling — right in the middle of the pandemic. I had always loved this store and what it meant to Houston’s baking community. When the opportunity came to join and help carry its legacy forward, I knew it was something special.
I became a partner around 2020–2021, and right away I saw that the shop could be so much more than just a place to buy baking supplies. I wanted to create a space where people could learn, create, and connect — a place that inspired both new and experienced bakers to explore their passion.
That’s how our education programs began. We started with small, hands-on classes and grew into what’s now our Youth Baking Academy, homeschool programs, and adult workshops. We’ve also been fortunate to partner with Fort Bend ISD through their Success Zone Program, bringing our baking and cake decorating curriculum to students across the district. Watching our students — especially the kids — discover their talents and build confidence has been incredible. Some have even gone on to compete, win awards, and pursue baking as a future career.
Today, Cake Craft Shoppe is truly a place where creativity comes to life. It’s about teaching skills, building community, and passing on the joy of baking to the next generation. I’m so proud of how far we’ve come and excited for what’s still ahead.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but it’s been a meaningful one. Like many small businesses, we faced a lot of uncertainty during and after the pandemic, trying to rebuild and reimagine what our shop could be. But one of the hardest moments came in 2023 when we lost our founder, Sheila Brooks. Sheila wasn’t just the heart of Cake Craft Shoppe — she was a mentor, a teacher, and a friend. She taught me so much about patience, kindness, and the joy of sharing what we love through baking.
Her passing was incredibly hard on all of us — the staff, the students, and our loyal customers who had known her for decades. That first year without her was one of the toughest we’ve ever faced. But in the middle of that grief, we found our purpose again. We knew the best way to honor her was to continue building on the foundation she created.
Every class we teach, every young baker who learns to make their first cake, feels like a piece of her legacy living on. I’m proud to say that not only have we carried her vision forward, but we’ve grown it — expanding our programs, partnering with schools, and creating new opportunities for the next generation of bakers.
It’s been a journey of love, loss, and growth — and I know Sheila would be proud of how far we’ve come and where we’re headed next.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Cake Craft Shoppe is so much more than a retail baking supply store — it’s a place where creativity, education, and community come together. We’re known for specializing in both professional-quality baking products and hands-on classes that teach everything from beginner buttercream techniques to advanced sugar artistry.
What truly sets us apart is our focus on education and empowerment. We’ve built an environment where people of all ages — from kids to adults — can discover the joy of baking and decorating. Our Youth Baking Academy is one of our proudest accomplishments. It’s a multi-year program that helps young bakers build real-world skills in baking, decorating, and even entrepreneurship. Each level builds on the last, and students finish the program with the confidence to take on big projects — some even compete in cake shows or dream of starting their own baking businesses one day!
We also partner with schools and community organizations, including Fort Bend ISD’s Success Zone Program, Young Audiences of Houston, and several surrounding districts, to bring creative culinary education directly into classrooms. These partnerships allow us to make baking more accessible and give students hands-on learning opportunities that build both confidence and teamwork.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Cake Craft Shoppe has become known for connection — not just between students and instructors, but within families and our local community. Whether someone walks in for a cake board or for a class, we want them to leave inspired and part of something special.
In 2025, our Youth Baking Academy was recognized internationally through the IBIE Best in Baking – Workforce Development Award, which celebrates programs that build skills and inspire future generations of bakers. That recognition means the world to us, because it reflects exactly what we stand for — teaching, creativity, and growing the next generation of talent in the baking industry.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was what you’d call a true military brat — my dad served in the Air Force for 20 years, so we lived all over. Moving around so much taught me how to adapt quickly and find joy wherever we were planted. I’m the oldest of three kids, and our parents were always incredibly supportive of our creative sides.
My mom, especially, was my first inspiration when it came to baking and decorating. She was a stay-at-home mom until we were all in school, and she poured so much creativity into everything she did. She made several wedding cakes while I was growing up, and I can still remember sitting beside her late at night, helping her color buttercream and watching her bring cakes to life. In fact, she made my wedding cake — and it was huge! Those are memories I’ll always treasure.
That love for creativity, paired with my professional background as a trainer and compliance officer in a large bank, really shaped who I am today. I’ve always had a passion for teaching and helping others succeed. I love seeing people grow, whether it’s a child piping their first cupcake swirl or an adult discovering a new skill.
I think that combination of structure from my upbringing and creativity from my mom led me right here — building Cake Craft Shoppe into a place that celebrates both learning and artistry. Every class I teach and every student who walks through our doors is a reflection of those early lessons: to be patient, to be kind, and to always find joy in creating something beautiful.
Pricing:
- Adult Decorating Workshops: $49–$155 per person depending on class type and supplies included.
- Bake & Bond Parent/Child Classes: $65–$85 per pair (includes all materials).
- Youth Baking Academy: Multi-month program; tuition varies by year level (includes all supplies and uniforms).
- Seasonal Camps (Ages 7–16): 4-day themed camps start at $225 per student (includes all supplies and ingredients).
- Private Parties & Corporate Workshops: Custom pricing available for groups of 6 or more.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cakecraftshoppe.com
- Instagram: cakecraftshoppe1
- Facebook: cakecraftshoppe
- LinkedIn: Cake Craft Shoppe
