RICHMOND, Ind. – A towering gold cake at the recent Palette 2 Palate community arts event highlights the creative approach of a local dessert studio.

Lisa Caiazzo, owner and head decorator of Lisa Cakes, designed the piece for the P2P event at the Richmond Art Museum, drawing inspiration from gilded-era themes and visual art.

“They showed me what their inspirations were, and then they just let me run with it,” Caiazzo said. “I’m very visual, so I drew something up for them, and this is what I came up with.”

The large-scale cake reflects what Caiazzo enjoys most about her work, projects that allow for artistic freedom and experimentation.

“The unique looking things are my forte, I think,” she said.

Caiazzo’s path to cake design began years earlier with a homemade birthday cake for her daughter, a moment that unexpectedly sparked a passion.

 “I just decided to do her cake, out of the blue. Never did I ever want to decorate cakes or anything like that,” she said.

She then began creating cakes for family and friends. Over time, this hobby developed into something much larger, eventually leading her to join the catering department at Reid Health and gaining invaluable experience at large-scale events.

In 2018, she took the leap into entrepreneurship, opening her first studio in a small, shared space. Since then, the business has expanded and moved into its own space, where she decorates and offers sweet treats to the community in a setting that blends art and food.

“I don’t feel like this is a traditional bakery,” she said. “I feel like I’m on the artist side of things.”

In addition to custom cakes, the studio offers slices like red velvet and lemon blueberry, along with cheesecake, cupcakes and other desserts, including allergen-friendly options upon request.

Caiazzo emphasizes the importance of community in her business. Her team is a mix of family and long-time collaborators, creating a workplace culture that mirrors her own values.

Now, eight years in business, she said she continues to focus on improving her craft, while staying connected to a community that supports the work.

“We love creating for our town and the surrounding areas,” Caiazzo said.