Every Day Should Start with a Slice of Cake

For me, cake is not just a dessert; it’s a way of life.

I Love that I Can Create Art… and Eat It!

Since childhood, I’ve been obsessed with making cakes. My first memory is when I was 7 years old and I decided to bake cookies for my mom on my own. This led to a journey of self-taught baking, influenced by European flavors and a distaste for overly-sweet desserts. My career took a turn when I discovered the versatility of wafer paper, especially in Florida’s challenging humidity. For me, it’s not just about baking. I want to create art that can withstand any climate and can cater to various dietary needs.

Hi, I'm Anna!

I’m a pastry chef, wedding cake designer, educator, and the creative mind behind Florea Cakes. Born in Russia and now thriving in the United States, I’ve journeyed from an engineering background to mastering the art of cake design in different climates and experiences. My love for unique flavors and artistic expression has been the cornerstone of my career and I’m excited to share my story with you.

Here’s How I Became the Wafer Paper Queen

Childhood: I was born in Russia and I’ve always loved plants and nature. My first job was at a school botanical garden in the 5th grade. This sparked a love for plants and flowers.

Early Career: In school, I loved learning and exploring and figuring out how things work. I have a masters degree in mechanical engineering!

Move to the United States: In 2014, I moved to the United States. I started to miss the flavors of my childhood sweets a lot. I have a huge sweet tooth but don’t love the sweets in the US because they tend to be too sweet for me. So I started baking as a way to bring my childhood flavors with me to the US!

Discovery of wafer paper: baking led me to fondant, sugar flowers, and more. I stumbled across wafer paper and fell in love with its versatility and how easy it was to work with. Now I can create beautiful wedding cakes in so much less time!

Teaching Career: I began teaching online in 2017, and in 2020 I started to focus solely on wafer paper artistry because I fell in love with the medium. Now with my YouTube Channel, Instagram, and Florea Cakes Academy I love empowering bakers just like you! My goal is to help you create your style and bake cakes that are works of art!

Fun Facts About Me

I’m a vegetarian and committed to cruelty-free lifestyle
I never learned how to ride a bicycle
I always have fresh flowers in my house
My hobby is bread baking – my sourdough starter just celebrated its 10th birthday
I’m an avid plant lover and have an extensive collection of rare Monsteras
I love cars, drive a stick shift, and have watched every Formula 1 race since 2002

I love to bring art and food together through cake decorating!

Whether it’s creating a unique cake for a special occasion or teaching the next generation of cake artists, my journey is about more than just baking – it’s about bringing joy, art and flavor to life.

Things I’m proud of:

I taught myself how to bake by reading culinary books

My cakes have been featured in magazines, TV commercials, and online publications worldwide

Receiving my Masters in Mechanical Engineering

I once worked with a French Pastry Chef

I was invited to create gingerbread houses for the Orlando Museum of Art’s Festival of Trees to sell art to raise money to support the Museum three years in a row

I volunteer my time donating cakes to support Icing Smiles, Ronald McDonald House, Operation North Pole Chicago, and Social Works.

I’ve participated in the Central Florida Fair as a cake decorator to teach kids and young adults basic decorating skills.

In 2018 I was recognized by Les Dames d’Escoffier Chicago – a global philanthropic society of women leaders and trailblazers in the culinary, beverage, and hospitality sectors – and awarded a scholarship to continue my education.

I created a gingerbread version of the Chicago Museum of Art and Industry for Chance The Rapper’s non-profit organization Social Works

I was nominated for the Rising Star Award at SoFlo Cake Expo in 2019

I was named a trend-setter for the wedding cake designs by Pastry Art Magazine