VOLCANO NOSHING STAFF: LEARNING TO BAKE OUTSIDE OF THE U.S. >>>

Julia’s Bakery and Café
7209 Martin Way E., Lacey, 360.438.6767

The assortment of freshly baked goods at Julia’s overflows with sweet aromas. A sweet treat lover can get an empanada or stuffed pastry in lemon, raspberry, pineapple, cream cheese, apple, Bavarian, strawberry or pumpkin. The cinnamon and Spanish cookies go quickly, as do the sweet breads. Owner Julia De Lacruz, 56, hails from Guatemala City in Central America and brings the traditions of her homeland to the area through fresh-made goods. â€" Jaime Forsythe

Manmi Bakery
9205 S. Tacoma Way, Lakewood, 253.583.0404

In Asia, bakeries exist on nearly every corner â€" more so than in the United States. Manmi Bakery best represents the lightness the Koreans put into their baked goods. It’s near impossible to turn down the sweet cakes, cookies and tapioca buns; the latter are made with chewy tapioca flour filled with mild, sweet, red bean paste. Also enjoyable are the empanada-like pastries called Dutch bread. And the cakes with glazed fruit across the top â€" don’t get me started â€" heaven. â€" Ken Swarner

Celebrity Cake Studio
602 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.627.4773

Sisters Odette D’Aniello and Mary Ann Quitugua operate the Celebrity Cake Studio along with cousin Wallace Bolo. D’Aniello speculates that it’s also a cake’s role as centerpiece to a celebration that creates a portion of its allure; her company puts out edible works of art fitting the themes of special events.

Through their collective 35 years of experience, after a family background in baking in Guam, they’ve developed a loyal following even outside the realm of wedding cakes. “We have a customer who finds every reason to celebrate â€" Happy Spring, even Happy Doctor’s Appointment for her mom. For her, random events are celebrations and deserve cake.”

But she admits she has limits: “If a customer wants a torte-style, decadent chocolatey-chocolate cake, I’ll send people to Gay (Landry, owner of Affairs in University Place. She’s more toward confection.” â€" Jessica Corey Butler

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

Photo: Hey Julie De Lacruz! Please, please fill that tray with your delicious pastries and run it over to the Weekly Volcano World Headquarters.