In Colorado - honoring the lives lost and holding space for mourning

Asian American communities are grappling with the back-to-back mass shootings in California at the start of the Lunar New Year—both of which included Asian American victims and perpetrators.

During a time of celebration, tragedy and mourning have shaken Asian Americans, who are experiencing resurfaced feelings of anxiety, fear, and grief over their safety. Since the start of the pandemic, Asian American communities across the nation have experienced a sharp increase in hate incidents and violence.

On January 23, local Asian American community leaders gathered to discuss how best to provide support and resources in Colorado. The immediate need was to acknowledge the community’s shared trauma and pain—before jumping into calls for action.

On the eve of Lunar New Year (January 21), when families and friends across the world were celebrating this special holiday, 11 people were killed in a mass shooting at Monterey Park, considered the suburban Chinatown of Los Angeles. Two days later, another shooting at Half Moon Bay, left seven more dead.

On Wednesday, Feb. 8, a community vigil will be held at Denver Botanic Gardens to honor the victims of the Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay tragedies. The event is meant to provide space for mourning and grieving with performances by ballroom dancers in memory of the victims at Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park.

Healing circles will also be held (both virtual and in-person) for AAPI-identifying community members. Organized by Change Matrix, National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association, and Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network, these sessions provide a safe space for reflection, empathy, and support.

As the community moves forward, next steps will be to amplify the local work and progress that has been made to stop anti-Asian hate.

In Colorado, this looks like legislation that was recently passed (Bias-motivated Crimes Bill) such that bias only needs to be part of the offender’s motivation in committing the crime (rather than the sole reason).

A statewide coalition group was created last year to mobilize the Asian community quickly for advocacy and urgent issues. Asian American curriculum has also been established at the high school and university levels. In April 2023, a town hall will be held to provide updates to the community. Visit cacendenver.org for more information.

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

“Creating cakes is my passion, more than just creating desserts. Cakes are very personal, and each one tells a story of its own.” said Isroff, owner of Cakeheads.

“It’s quite rewarding to hear our clients gasp with happiness or shed tears of joy because my team and I are able to execute their vision precisely through cake.”

Wholesale | Isroff opened the bakery five years ago alongside her husband Bradley Isroff. But before their retail operations began, the creative duo was establishing a name for their culinary experience through wholesale.

The husband-and-wife team began their wholesale operation in 2007 with clients such as Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Sprouts, and Vitamin Cottage.

Based in Inverness (separate from their retail location), the 12,000-squarefoot baking facility is set up with multiple ovens, and employs more than 20 work ers including three main cake decorators.

Here, eighty percent of the baking goes to their dog biscuit company called Pawsitively Gourmet (pawsitively gourmet.com), while 20 percent is directed for Cakeheads.

Retail | “Opening the retail segment was a challenge I’ve always wanted,” Isroff said. “Luckily for us, having the retail store has helped the wholesale branding

Owner of Cakeheads

Bakery Cherrie Isroff delivers sweet memories for life’s sweetest moments

Filipino American Cherrie Isroff created a bakery that would feed her talent, expand her creativity and open a world of sweets in sight as well as taste.

Cakeheads Bakery, in Centennial, offers unique cake customization that creates a “wow’ effect for birthdays, anniversaries, and milestones, especially during this month of celebrating love and valentines.

tremendously. Brand recognition is stronger with both segments.”

In addition to their signature cakes, Cakeheads offers cupcakes, cannolis, cookies, whoopie pies, and even cakes by the slice!

On the weekends, there is heavy foot traffic with a line out of the door for picking up cakes, ordering customization, and with customers looking to grab a coffee with their pastries.

Price points range from $3 pastries to $1,000 custom cakes. Isroff’s signature cakes include flavors of vanilla, raspberry, and passion fruit. And the second most popular dessert is chocolate.

Peak time includes holidays and summer months, especially during wedding season. The bakery has set up an online ordering system and recommends ordering ahead of time, from four days to one week in advance.

Isroff shared that her strangest customization order was for male and female genitalia-themed cakes and cupcakes. It’s probably safe to assume they were for a bachelor/bachelorette party.

Philippines Connection | Isroff left the Philippines to attend college in the United States. Her family has lived in Colorado for 22 years.

She is constantly adding Filipino flavors including ube and macapuno to her pastries. Already, she sells butter mamon, ube mamon, butter ensaymadas, and cheese ensaymadas to Coffee Sarap, a coffee cart that specializes in Filipino beverages. Coffee Sarap, based in Castle Rock, also sells Isroff’s shortbread dog treats to customers with fur babies.

“Cherrie is wonderful and so easy to work with. It’s great to work with someone so reliable and it makes us even more happy to be supporting another Filipino-owned business,” said co-owner Hannah Cambronero of Coffee Sarap.

“We had been searching for the right bakery to partner with and we were intentional to highlight an Asian-owned business. When we met Cherrie, it was al- most fate because she already knew how to make specialty pastries, even Filipino ones that are native to our country.”

Culinary Experience | Isroff obtained a food marketing degree from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, where she also met her husband, Bradley.

During the pandemic, Isroff picked up one of Robertson’s bread books to hone her skills on making sourdough.

“Just from his thorough instructions and recipes, I learned how to make sourdough,” she said. “I’ve also tried his baked goods in his original San Francisco location and after that experience, I was a believer.”

Would we ever see Isroff on the Food Network or competing in a bake-off contest?

She admits to receiving numerous invitations and having experienced the interviewing process. “It’s a competitive world out there with lots of highly talented people,” she said. “Maybe one of these days, with the right competition theme, I’ll be able to proceed.”

Her Advice | Isroff didn’t just start her culinary career as a baker. It took her years and many different jobs in the culinary world to figure out what feeds her soul. She offers advice to those who are passionate about cakes and desserts.

Her experience includes working as a line cook at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, a chef in savory kitchens, and a cake decorator for an elegant bake shop in Denver.

Like many baking veterans, Isroff follows legendary pastry chef Ron Ben-Israel for both wedding and celebration cakes and Chad Robertson for breads.

“To those who wish to become a pastry chef, know that this is not an easy feat,” she said. “It’s demanding of your personal and family time. It’s hard on the body and mentally taxing, but if you love the industry, put in your best every time and you will reap the rewards.”

Learn more about Cakeheads Bakery at cakeheadsbakery.com. and follow them at @cakeheads_bakery.