ABOUT GOURMET GIRL

Adenike Harper, widely known as Gourmet Girl, is a Cleveland-based cake artist, entrepreneur, and community builder with over 20 years of experience creating luxury cakes and dessert experiences that blend artistry, storytelling, and soul. As a self-described Sugar Storyteller, Adenike is known for transforming cake into meaningful, memory-driven works of art that celebrate life’s most important moments.

 

She is the founder of Gourmet Girl Custom Cakes, a boutique dessert studio specializing in luxury wedding cakes, custom celebration cakes, curated dessert tables, and signature cake jars. Her work is recognized for its refined design, intentional flavor pairings, and narrative-driven approach—often inspired by family traditions, cultural heritage, and the joy of shared experiences. Adenike’s desserts have become a sought-after centerpiece for weddings, corporate events, and milestone celebrations throughout Northeast Ohio and beyond.

 

In addition to her work in luxury desserts, Adenike is the co-founder of KneadED, a cooperative bakery café and shared kitchen concept rooted in entrepreneurship, youth development, and mental health wellness through bake therapy. Through programs such as A Peace of Cake and A Piece of the Pie, she empowers youth and emerging bakers by combining hands-on baking education with mentorship, creativity, and emotional well-being.

 

Adenike’s work sits at the intersection of culinary arts, social enterprise, and community impact. Whether designing art-gallery-worthy wedding cakes, developing consumer packaged goods, or leading baking-based wellness programs, she brings a consistent philosophy to everything she creates: desserts should hold memory, beauty should be intentional, and baking can be a powerful tool for connection and healing.

 

Recognized for her innovation, storytelling, and leadership, Adenike Harper continues to redefine what it means to be a modern cake artist—using sugar not just to celebrate, but to build community, legacy, and joy.

 

To inquire about custom cakes, dessert experiences, collaborations, or programs, please complete the inquiry form below.