Simon Lee Bakery

Simon Lee Bakery

Written by Michelle Davis Monday, 07 August 2006

Partners build business one layer at a time

It’s hard to imagine beginning your busiest workday on a Saturday at 2 a.m., working for 17 hours straight, and actually enjoying your career. For Jad Simon and Judy Lee, this is a typical summer Saturday, creating beautiful wedding cakes, and owning Simon Lee Bakery.

“I love the art and creation of wedding cakes,” Lee said. “I’ve always loved doing things with my hands, and I’m good at it.”

Lee grew up in Vietnam where she learned to bake from her mother. She moved to America when she was 20, and later attended the University of Texas, earning a degree in finance and management, but continued to bake in her spare time.

It was the planning of her wedding that gave Lee the idea of becoming more involved with weddings.

“I planned everything from A-Z. I booked the vendors, I wrote the invitations with calligraphy, I made my own floral arrangements, sewed my own gown, veil, everything, but the cake. It was after that I thought I wanted to be a wedding consultant,” Lee said. “I realize now that I like being hands-on the product and interacting one-on-one with people. I like things to be perfect so it’s easier for me to focus on one thing.”

In 1992, a family friend introduced Lee to Simon who was a pastry chef from Lebanon. They opened a business as a traditional bakery with cookies, pastries and breakfast items. After a year of establishing themselves through retail and wholesale they decided to pursue wedding cakes.

“The only two that touch the cakes are me and Simon,” Lee said. “We can ensure and maintain the quality of our product that way.”

The bakery dedicates a small part of the business for walk-in customers and the number of cookies offered for walk-ins increases during the holidays.

“Beginning in November for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentine’s Day, all of our display cases are full of cookies and pastries,” Lee said. “But, for the most part we like to stick to wedding cakes and special orders. We can do most special ordered birthday cakes within 24 hours.”

Simon and Lee have more than 30 years of combined experience and the business will celebrate its 10-year anniversary, Oct. 6.

“The secret to our cakes is that we use fresh ingredients and make everything from scratch,” Lee said. “If we’re making a carrot cake, we shred fresh carrots; if we are making a lemon cake, we squeeze fresh lemons.”

What you need to know about wedding cakes

• What are the most popular flavors?
  • White cake w/ cream cheese icing
  • White cake w/ fresh sliced strawberries and Grand Maurnier icing
  • Belguim chocolate and chocolate mousse icing
• How long does a typical wedding cake take to prepare?
  • 4 to 5 hours
• How much do wedding cakes cost?
  • $3.95 per serving; anywhere between $300-800

Simon Lee Bakery, 2700 W. Pecan St., Ste. #790 Pflugerville, TX 78660, 512-990-4888, www.simonleebakery.com