ITHACA, N.Y. — Rashida Sawyer Bakery recently formally opened its first storefront in downtown Ithaca. The bakery held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 9 with City of Ithaca and Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) representatives at the storefront at 110 W. Green St. Rashida Sawyer Bakery is known locally for its selection of homemade cheesecakes. Now […]
ITHACA, N.Y. — Rashida Sawyer Bakery recently formally opened its first storefront in downtown Ithaca.
The bakery held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 9 with City of Ithaca and Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) representatives at the storefront at 110 W. Green St.
Rashida Sawyer Bakery is known locally for its selection of homemade cheesecakes. Now that it has its storefront, the small business plans to expand its offerings to include more cheesecake varieties, homemade artisan bread, cupcakes, pound cakes, layer, sheet and wedding cakes, gluten-free blackout bars, and other gourmet baked goods, according to a DIA news release.
Loraine Rashida Sawyer, executive chef, “is the local legend behind crafting cakes. partly from the skills she obtained from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, her Southern soul-food upbringing, and just plain ol’ meticulous tinkering,” the DIA said.
For years, Sawyer made cakes for local caterers, restaurants, and a Ben & Jerry’s storefront formerly on Cayuga Street in Ithaca. She and her husband, Csiko Sawyer, also operated a booth at the Ithaca Farmer’s Market under the name “Rashida’s Deluxe Baked Goods.”
“Some time ago, Rashida stepped away from the baking business to raise her children, but she never stopped her passion for developing and improving time-tested recipes,” the release explained.
In 2018, her oldest son, Kibwe (KC) Sawyer, revisited the idea of starting a small bakery with his mother’s recipes at the core. Teaming with his wife, Shaina Sawyer; cousin Jennifer Phelps and her husband Jon; his father, Csiko Sawyer; and of course, his mom, Loraine Rashida Sawyer, the family moved forward with the launch of Rashida Sawyer Bakery.
DIA Executive Director Gary Ferguson said, “We’ve had Rashida Sawyer Bakery in our sights for a while. We’re thrilled it now has its brick and mortar location in our community where everyone can enjoy its fresh-baked treats.”
Rashida Sawyer Bakery is currently open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
