California-born April Simpson-Gruver has cooked and baked around the country in notable places such as Rover's in Seattle, The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, The Fairmont Hotel in Chicago and the Duquesne Club in Pittsburgh. She's taught Pastry Arts at the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute, and now, after a second child, she's opened her own business: Vanilla Pastry Studio, in the West End.
The shop is stocked with creative cakes, cookies, brownies and scones. Her signature confections are soft-centered "Lollys" - desserts on a stick - offering such enticing flavors as salted caramel custard, white chocolate raspberry and key lime pie. She also works with caterers custom designing wedding and special event cakes.
April resides in Pittsburgh with her husband, John, her two children, Allyson and Andrue, and her Bernese Mountain Dog, Truman (a very important member of the family).
California-born April Simpson-Gruver has cooked and baked around the country in notable places such as Rover's in Seattle, The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, The Fairmont Hotel in Chicago and the Duquesne Club in Pittsburgh. She's taught Pastry Arts at the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute, and now, after a second child, she's opened her own business: Vanilla Pastry Studio, in the West End.