Meet the creators of Torta Bella

I first learned about Torta
Bella just before Christmas when the cake pictured above was left on my
doorstep. It was an unexpected thank you gift from a friend who had been using my
ridiculously-old, but still-functioning wheelbarrow all last summer and fall. The gift was a  simply decorated, simply delicious carrot cake from Torta Bella, which I had not heard of. I was also impressed by the attractive cake box with its
charming logo and tailored red ribbon.

When I learned that the pastry chefs worked out of Bar Italia, I was even more intrigued and determined to track them down so I could share the information with you.

Let me introduce you then to the owners of yet another of the impressive number of small business based in the CWE: Kylah Brown-Green, left, and Sharon Harter, right, the creators of Torta Bella, a pastry and confection operation. Sharon, a self-taught baker, has been the pastry chef at Bar Italia for the past six years. Kylah, who grew up in the CWE and attended New City School, returned to St. Louis from Los Angeles with her future husband about four years ago, and started work as a server at Bar Italia. Kylah was drawn to Sharon's craft and asked if she could become her understudy. The pair enjoyed working together and became partners three years ago settling on the name Torta Bella. They arranged to utilize Bar Italia's kitchen for their pastry-making venture during off-peak hours.

When I met Kylah and Sharon at Bar Italia recently, they had prepared several pastries for me to photograph, including a scrumptious (I know, because I took it home) vanilla bean pastry cream & fresh fruit tart shown at the top of the photograph. Tea cakes (middle) are part of Torta Bella's popular dessert buffet, see below, and on the plate in front is a slice of a tempting three-layer Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake. It's available in a 10" round which serves 16 generously, $45. See ordering information at the end of the post.

Sharon and Kylah emphasized that they use only fresh ingredients and don't cut any corners (for instance, they do not use shortening in their frosting). For those with dietary restrictions, the pair can bake pastries, including wedding cakes, that are lactose- or gluten-free.

 Photo courtesy of Torta Bella

Dessert buffets, with a wide variety of choices, are the most popular option right now at weddings, parties, baby showers, and corporate events. Sharon and Kylah love the challenge and creativity involved in putting these together. Brides might order a simple two-tier wedding cake as part of a color-coordinated dessert buffet for their guests. Options include cake pops (above), tea cakes (first photo), rectangular plates of gooey butter squares, tiramasu, panna cotta, cookies, etc., etc. Pricing for Torta Bella's dessert buffet starts at $3.50 per person.

Photo courtesy of Torta Bella

Brides are requesting fewer embellishments on wedding cakes too, choosing simple ribbons and/or flowers instead; see Torta Bella's lovely Magnolia Cake, above.

Photo courtesy of Torta Bella

Torta Bella also makes birthday cakes for all ages, such as this adorable confection surrounded by cupcakes for a lucky two-year-old, above.

For more information on Torta Bella's pastries, call Sharon or Kylah at (314) 922-5955, visit them on Facebook, or email: [email protected]. Plan on ordering at least a week in advance, though, if necessary, they will definitely do their best to bake the cakes as fast as they can.

P.S.:

Photo courtesy of Maggie Rasp Pearson

Neighbor Maggie Pearson was thrilled to learn about Torta Bella in time for her son Auggie's 1st birthday. After the event she sent pictures of the lovely strawberry cake,

Photo courtesy of Maggie Rasp Pearson
and the birthday boy looking a little overwhelmed with his brother Jack, mother, father and grandfather looking on. Maggie said they all loved Torta Bella's cake which they all thought was delicious. Thank you Maggie for sharing the photos!