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A Business On The Rise

A long background in baking becomes a sweet business venture.

Tampa Tribune photo by Scott Iskowitz

Emma’s Cakes has a variety of cookies, including macadamia nut, chocolate chip, oatmeal and sugar.

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By JOYCE MCKENZIE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 18, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE Jo Ivey is a frequent visitor to one of the city's newest attractions.

"I love what the place does for my taste buds but not what it does for my diet," said Ivey, as she raved about the sweets at Emma's Cakes in the Sherwood Forest business complex on 56th Street. "I haven't found anything I don't like, and their carrot cake is to die for."

Ivey also speaks sweetly about its owners, Emma and Edward "Ed" Ford of Lutz, who opened the business about six weeks ago. "She is the nicest lady, and her husband is" the nicest man, the Temple Terrace resident said.

When she was a child, Emma Ford was the baker in her family. It was the cake decorating classes at Jefferson High School, however, that provided her with the training and the incentive to select baking as her lifelong vocation.

Prior to becoming a proprietor, she was employed as a baker by Wright's Gourmet House in South Tampa. She also served as bakery manager at Jeff's Gourmet Pies, Albertson's and B.J.'s Wholesale Club.

Her cake specialties include red velvet, carrot, German chocolate, coconut, chocolate and cream cheese- and sour cream-filled pound cakes. They are sold by the size or the slice and also are available as cupcakes.

In addition, she bakes and sells cookies, including macadamia nut, chocolate chip, oatmeal and sugar. Fresh Danish pastries and scones are also offered.

She stocks an array of popular cartoon character toppers, such as Winnie-the-Pooh, SpongeBob and Spider-Man, for children's cakes. Her inventory also includes cake-decorating frosting tips and an assortment of serving platters and pillars used to support tiered cakes.

Ford is especially pleased she has a venue where she can apply her creative and artistic skills to design wedding cakes and custom-made treats for birthdays, banquets, holiday get-togethers or any special occasion. With her photo-scanning equipment, she has the capability to add pictures of a bride and groom or a birthday boy to the decorations on a cake.

"This is her passion, not just her career," said Cheri Donohue, director of the Greater Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce, who has visited the store on several occasions and tasted many of her specialties. "I'm just glad that her bakery isn't in our complex.

"It's the frosting on top of the cake for Temple Terrace."

Ed Ford recently retired from his position of custodial supervisor after 31 years of employment with the Hillsborough County School District to handle the housekeeping and bookkeeping end of the business.

"This was always our dream, so I said, 'Well, girl, it's time now,'" said Ford, who is happy to assist his wife of 28 years in their new venture.

Sherwood Forest owner/manager Sherrill Tomasino is thrilled to have them as tenants but not just because whenever she stops by the bakery there seems to be a slice of carrot cake that calls out her name.

"The shop is absolutely immaculate, and they are just great people," Tomasino said. "They are so professional, and they help us to accomplish our goal of having quality specialty stores."

Temple Terrace resident Linda Garnatz tells everyone she sees about the new bakery in town.

"It's just such a wonderful asset to Temple Terrace, and if you like red velvet cake Emma's is just incredible," Garnatz said.

Rashawn Gadson of Riverview has no hesitation about driving close to 20 miles to purchase her baked goods.

"They are so delicious," she said. "I enjoy Publix cakes. But Emma's cakes not only are better, you also get that personal touch."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Emma's Cakes

WHERE: 10917 N. 56th St.

WHEN: Open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

INFORMATION: Visit www.emmascakes4u.com or call (813) 988-7400.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

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