The Sugar Fairy
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 East Liberty.
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 to custom design wedding and special event cakes.
April resides in Pittsburgh with her husband, John, her two children, Allyson and Andrue, and their two dogs: White Boxer, Katie, and Bernese Mountain Dog, Clementine, sisters of the beloved Berner, Truman, who lives on in the hearts of those who knew him.
