From restaurants, to bakeries, to luxury hotels, Lia has been working in the baking & pastry industry for over 19 years. Her love for cakes began early in childhood while baking with her mother and grandmother. As early as middle school, Lia can remember telling schoolmates and teachers alike that she wanted to become a pastry chef when she graduated.
In continuing with her passion for baking, Lia studied at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. During her college years, summer breaks allowed her the opportunity to hone her talents in a bustling cake shop, working as a pastry chef at a trendy restaurant, and at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach. In 2005 she graduated with honors from JWU, with the honorable title ‘summa cum laude’ for her degree in Baking & Pastry Arts, as well as her degree in Food Service Entrepreneurship. She also holds a minor in Leadership, and a secondary minor in World Languages. Upon graduating, Lia had the tremendous opportunity to work for The Ritz-Carlton, Orlando Grande Lakes. In 2009, she was recruited to be on the opening team for The Waldorf Astoria, Orlando, where she later became their Pastry Senior Sous Chef. Today, Couture Cakes continues to collaborate with the property, in providing the hotel’s exclusive weddings and events with custom couture creations. In addition to the Orlando Bonnet Creek property, Couture Cakes also partners with the luxurious Isleworth Golf & Country Club, one of the world’s most prestigious communities, as their exclusive preferred wedding cake vendor. From private weddings, to celebrity work and other exclusive events at independent venues, Couture Cakes continues to “take the cake” in expertly executing elaborate one-of-a-kind designs.
Lia’s cakes have been featured in a variety of media. Print features include The Knot Magazine, Central Florida Bride, Orlando Wedding magazine, and the Windermere Observer. Online published material includes features on Orange Blossom Bride, Borrowed & Blue, Maharani Weddings, Florida Bride Magazine, Reverie Gallery, and Southern Celebrations Magazine, to name a few. Couture Cakes also holds the prestigious honor of being a 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, & 2022 Couples’ Choice Award Winner on WeddingWire, a global marketplace that connects engaged couples with wedding professionals.
Passion for detail, love for her work, and dedication, has afforded Lia the opportunity to create Couture Cakes, where her exclusive cakes are booked on a limited first come, first served basis, and has solidified her standing in the industry as being a true cake artisan within the luxury market.