We had the good fortune of connecting with Udele Pandya and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Udele, how do you think about risk?
I would say that I approach risk with caution, however, when an opportunity presents itself I think long and hard about it and then I go for it. This is actually how I met my husband. He worked for an Insurance Company in New York and I worked for an Insurance Agency in Dallas. Through our business relationship we became friends. We met for the first time face to face in December of 1998 and a few months later we got married. We have been together for 23 years and I would say that was the best risk I ever took

How has risk has impacted my career? My grandmother was a Wedding Cake Designer and I loved watching her create beautiful edible works of art and have always been passionate about cake decorating. I had a successful 25 year career in the Insurance Industry. A job which I worked Monday-Friday and `Friday night to Sunday I spent making wedding cakes and custom party cakes. Baking and cake design was truly what I loved. My family and friends told me I missed my calling but I was cautious about taking a risk and quitting my job to run a bakery full time.
Through my dealings with clients in my insurance role I learned a great deal about how to communicate and anticipate the needs of others. This has helped me so much to lead the amazing team we have here at Sweet Art Bakery and also to provide the best for our clients. After so many cake classes and hundreds of cakes later I was ready to make a change. I decided to go for it and purchase Sweet Art Bakery. It’s definitely hard work but I LOVE every minute of it. It makes my day and melts my heart when I see the expression on a child’s face when they see their cake for the first time or when a bride tells me her wedding cake was everything she imagined and more.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Sweet Art Bakery is a custom cake studio that specializes in unique cake designs and wedding cakes. The entire team strives to take our client’s ideas, visions and dreams and bring them to life in the form of cake. During our design process we help our clients come up with designs that are not only beautiful and delicious but also within their price point.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came into town I could go crazy planning all the places I would love to take her. If we just want to keep it simple, I always love catching a movie at the Ipic in Fairview where the food is always delicious, the popcorn is perfectly buttered & salted and the chairs are so comfortable. For dinner I love to take guests to Texas De Brazil. Most people go for the incredible selection of meats, however, for me it’s all about the salad bar!!! I have yet to have a guest complain whenever we go there. I am totally obsessed with mini pies so I would definitely pick up Moonbeam Bakery pies. I have lived in Dallas for 27 years and just recently got to experience Reunion Tower. The views from up there are breathtaking and I’ve heard they have evenings where they host classes to paint the Dallas Skyline. Before my friend leaves town, I would organize a Filipino style potluck complete with Lumpia, Pancit & Flan and invite all of my family over. It’s what we do. What can I say food is our love language. In typical Filipino fashion a karaoke may make an appearance.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am so thankful to my grandmother who showed me how beautiful the world of cake is and my aunt who started teaching me how to work with chocolate when I was a young girl. There are no words to express my gratitude to my friends, family & my sister in law for encouraging me to take a leap of faith. I am thankful to the prior owner of Sweet Art Bakery and the entire team who works so diligently every single day to make cake dreams come true. Most of all I am so thankful to my 3 little girls and not to be forgotten my husband, Milind, who has supported me and believed in me. To our loyal and amazing clients and wedding venues we thank you so much for your trust and continued business.

Website: www.sweetartbakery.com

Instagram: @sweet_art_bakery

Facebook: Sweet Art Custom Cake Studio

Yelp: Sweet Art Bakery

Other: Email: info@sweetartbakery.com Phone Number 469-563-9471

Image Credits
Aven Willow Photography One Love Texas Photography

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