Annie’s Signature Sweets Story
Hi, welcome to my website. I am Ann LoParo aka “Annie” or sometimes referred to as Aunt Annie:) I was born in Westerville, Ohio and raised primarily in Avon Lake, Ohio. I am a graduate of Magnificat High School in Rocky River, Ohio. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Kent State University and an Associates Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts from Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, North Carolina. I made a huge career switch in 2006, when I was 29. I decided to leave my Social Work job with Cuyahoga County Department of Children & Family Services to pursue my passion for pastry. I was a Social Worker from 2000 until 2006 and worked with children and families that were abused and neglected in Cleveland, Ohio. Baking has always been a way for me to release my stress, express my creativity, help me focus with my ADD and satisfy my sweet tooth cravings. :) I don’t have a sweet tooth, All my teeth are sweet.
Annie’s Signature Sweets was created out of my intense passion for desserts, a need to satisfy my huge sweet tooth and a need for something new after spending 10 years working as a pastry chef in restaurants and clubs all over the U.S. I began my pastry career in 2006 and never looked back. Annie’s Signature Sweets was created in August 2017 and has been the best and most challenging thing I have ever done (besides going to Bali, which literally changed my life). To be honest, I burned out of the business after a decade and needed a fresh start and some time to figure out what was next for me. At the age of 40, I started a business with no business background, no loans, no business partner, just a passion, a purpose and a humongous sweet tooth!
Annie’s Signature Sweets creates classic desserts with a twist and focuses on fresh, fun and unforgettable sweets.
My baking classes started in February 2018 and since that time, I have taught over 800 baking classes. In March 2020, due to Covid, I started teaching virtual baking classes. I am teaching students all over the world! My classes in real life and virtually, always encourage you to explore your own creativity, build your confidence and I help you answer all of your questions about baking and troubleshoot any questions or struggles you may be experiencing. I will help you find an easier way to make a delicious baked good with my recipes that I have created with my 17 years experience as a Pastry Chef.
I am there with you every step of the way and you are surrounded by the best students ever! My baking classes are available at my new baking school in Berea, Ohio and online on Zoom. My baking classes make great gifts and are great for any occasion (birthdays, team building, bachelor/bachelorette parties, happy hour, friends and family gatherings or if you just want to do something for yourself (we all deserve some fun in our lives).
I was named the 5th best Pastry Chef in Cleveland by Cleveland Scene Magazine. I won 5th place in Cleveland.com’s most sinful sweet contest with my Pretzel Salted Caramel Cheesecake. My lemon lavender shortbread was in Cleveland Magazine as part of the “Cleveland S’more”, I have been on Channel 3 news and New Day Cleveland several times, I have been on Taste Buds with Jen Piccano, and FB live with Stefani Schaefer. I was featured in my high school alumni magazine, I have been featured in the West Shore Sun 3x since 2017 and made the front page in December 2018. I had my first ever published dessert in Cleveland Magazine in December 2018, a flourless Christmas ale torte. I was recently featured on Cleveland.com and in the Cleveland Plain Dealer for my virtual baking classes. I was featured in Country Living Magazine in April 2020 showcasing my live virtual baking classes. My virtual baking classes have connected me with students all over the United States and I recently taught students in Canada India, Hawaii and the Philippines. I was featured on Parade.com on August 7th, 2020 as part of “25 Virtual Cooking Classes to Up your Kitchen Game During Coronavirus”. I was featured on Yelp in August 2020.
Want to host a private class??
I am available for international private virtual baking classes and in person baking classes for team building, networking events, happy hours and more.
I love creating unique flavor combinations and everything that I make is delicious, beautiful and I will teach you my tips and tricks to make it uniquely yours. I run this business alone and am learning to embrace all the challenges that come along with the amazing rewards. I have the best students and fans ever!
How can you find me?
I FINALLY have a location after a 3 year search after losing my previous location in the pandemic. I officially opened a baking school located at 1433 West Bagley Road, Ste, 250 Berea, Ohio 44017 on August 1st, 2023! This school focuses on smaller hands on baking classes that dive deeper into the baking processes, they will help you become a more confident and successful baker while having fun creating your own delicious signature sweets!! Class topics will change seasonally so make sure you are receiving my weekly newsletter and following me on social media for any updates! Everyone works individually in all of my classes and takes home their bakes. Zoom Classes are also available for private classes and classes for anyone to take!
Who can take my classes?
My classes are for anyone ages 10 and older and I also host kids Summer baking classes for kids ages 7 and older in the Summer. Summer camp classes sell out early so don’t wait to sign your kids up!
Please make sure to follow me on FB and IG and on Eventbrite @anniessignaturesweets to see all of my upcoming events, news and places to find me.
xoxo
Annie
