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SEARCHNail tech Leah Holst attributes her cake baking and decorating skills to heredity. “My love of baking started when I was really young,” says Holst, the owner of Luxe Spa in Harriston, Ontario, Canada, as well as ~Layers~ Cakes and Confections by Leah.
Nail tech Leah Holst attributes her cake baking and decorating skills to heredity. “My love of baking started when I was really young,” says Holst, the owner of Luxe Spa in Harriston, Ontario, Canada, as well as ~Layers~ Cakes and Confections by Leah. “My mom and all the women in my family worked at a bakery and I often went with them to work as there was no one to babysit me. I remember being amazed at the giant mixer, and watching dough rise, and thinking what beautiful things these women could do with their hands. They put such love and care into their creations.”
Her own foray into baking was inspired by her son, Baden. “He loves the shows Ace of Cakes and Cake Boss. I first got into cake decorating so I could show him some tricks,” she says. Her mother-in-law gave her some tips, but Holst is largely self-taught. “I took pottery and sculpture classes when I was younger, and to me working with fondant is much the same technique,” she says.
Holst’s cakes (including cupcakes, cheesecakes, and other goodies) are more than just eye candy — they’re delicious. “My most-requested flavor is chocolate coma cake,” she says. “But I love cakes that take on flavors you wouldn’t expect, like cookies and cream, s’mores, and cinnamon bun.
“My favorite part of making cakes is the same as my favorite part about being a nail tech: I love the look on people’s faces when I have created something just for them. I love to look at the finished product and think, ‘I created that.’”
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