Sue Jacobs Cakes is now Whisk & Paddle Bakeshop!

My name is Erica Bentson and I bring over 25 years’ experience with me to Whisk & Paddle Bakeshop. From a young age, I was passionate about baking and cake decorating. I began by decorating cakes for friends and family in my teens. In April of 1993 I began my classical training at Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon. Graduating in 1994, I then moved to Hawaii to begin my career at the Grand Wailea Resort as a pastry cook. After honing my skills there for over a year, I then traveled the continent of Europe. While traveling abroad, I was privileged to attend Le Cordon Bleu's Patisserie program in London, England, graduating with Honors and an offer to stay and continue as an instructor’s assistant.

Upon my return to Portland, I was finally able to attain my dream of owning my own business. Finales-Fine Cakes & Desserts was born in a small commissary kitchen in Portland's SE Industrial District in February, 2003. Building upon my cake decorating skills, I quickly became one of Portland's preferred wedding cake vendors. While building the wedding cake business, I also began to grow a thriving wholesale base.

Finales' wholesale business continues to flourish to this day, though under a new owner as of June, 2017. In May of 2019, I accepted the Pastry Chef position at the Facebook Data Center in Prineville, Oregon, making the move over the mountains to Central Oregon. After a couple years there, my restless spirit grew and I decided to make an even bigger move. In April of 2022, I packed up everything and made my way to Arizona.

Keeping in my family tradition of being an entrepreneur, I purchased Sue Jacobs Cakes in June of 2022 and, over the next year, transformed it into what is now Whisk & Paddle Bakeshop. A finalist in Arizona Bride’s Best of 2023 in only its first year, I am excited to continue to grow and develop Whisk & Paddle into the best place for cakes and desserts that Arizona has to offer.