CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Andre Wilson said his mom would make a big deal of the baking process, as she put all the ingredients together the day before baking.
“Growing up my mom was a faithful ‘Sunday baker,’” Wilson said. “We would always have a cake in the house on Sunday, typically a 7Up pound cake or something in that regard. I really have some fond memories of her on Saturday evening or Saturday morning sometimes, pulling her ingredients together and actually getting into the process of baking a cake so that we can have it the following day after our Sunday dinner.”
Wilson, the founder and lead baker of The Stylish Bundt in Chicago, said those fond memories are often on his mind while he’s baking.
“I’m also affectionately known as the Bundt King,” Wilson laughed.
Just one taste of his sometimes slightly tweaked family recipes, and it’s clear that he belongs on the throne.
“My Bundt cakes are all small batch, all natural ingredients, no preservatives added, and I think that’s what makes them unique,” said Wilson. “Also, I like the idea of incorporating more elevated flavor profiles.”
Those offerings include chocolate ganache with crystallized ginger, apple and olive oil, and lemon basil, among others. Wilson said it’s part of a “more modern approach to bundt cakes.”
“I really focus on making sure that the flavor profiles are great, that there’s a nice crumb to the bundt cake,” Wilson said. “People enjoy them.”
Starting his baking business during the pandemic, the “Bundt King” is still without a castle, but he said that sales have been consistent and that he is open to wholesale and retail opportunities.
“Currently you can purchase my baked goods, cakes, and cookies online at thestylishbundt.com,” Wilson said. “I also attend various pop-ups throughout the city, so you can find me there, but mainly I sell through my website.”
Wilson said he uses as many locally sourced ingredients as he can and donates unsold inventory, along with his experimental batches, to local shelters.
“I try to alternate between a few different shelters within the city, so they can enjoy baked goods, as well,” Wilson said.
On his shop’s website, Wilson said the beauty and simplicity of Bundt cakes are what drew him to the style.
“What can I say? I like big Bundts!” Wilson joked. “Let me be your Sunday baker, Monday baker, Tuesday baker, Wednesday baker.”
The Stylish Bundt bake shop, Made in Chicago.
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