What started as a passion in college has blossomed into a thriving business for the owner of Full Belly Bakery here in Montclair.
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If you haven’t tried the pastries or cakes, you are missing out. Let’s go meet the owner.
Eva: “The side hobby turned into a full-time gig.”
Lisa: Meet Eva Allen, owner of Full Belly Bakery in Oakland.
Eva: “My goal is to make cakes based on flavor vs sweetness and to convert non-cake people into cake lovers.”
Lisa: Eva is a self-taught baker who later attended pastry school and honed her skills in Bay Area restaurants. Just over a year ago, she turned her dream into a full-time business.
Eva: “Being in Montclair has been great, we have been welcomed with open arms so I couldn’t be happier. We do a variety of scones, cookies, a gf and vegan truffle, a panna cotta which is GF and a variety of cake flavors. Strawberry guava and triple chocolate are probably our two most popular flavors. We have 5 year-round flavors and 2-3 seasonal flavors.”
Lisa: While there are usually a few cakes available for walkins, Eva recommends preordering to guarantee maximum freshness.
Eva: “We are making everything from scratch there is no premade buttercreams there is no premade fillings. Everything is made literally by me and my staff.”
Lisa: If there’s excess cake, Eva either donates it or transforms it into cake bites.
Eva: “I have a sweatshirt that I made that says dessert is my love language. I think it brings people together. That’s what people do when they get a birthday or wedding cake.”
Lisa: The bakery is open Thursday through Sunday for retail customers. During the rest of the week, Eva is busy baking for wholesale clients like Tea on Piedmont, Diablo Foods, Berkeley Bowl, and large events. She also got a spot in the Oakland Coliseum.
Eva: “Filling bellies literally and bringing joy hopefully through food. It’s exciting, tiring, and just fun too. “
Lisa: At Full Belly Bakery, it’s not just about desserts; it’s about creating joy one bite at a time. Delicious, handmade, and full of heart—Full Belly Bakery is everything a neighborhood bakery should be.
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