At Confections, they know the importance of quality ingredients, delicious food, and fun presentation. There wedding cakes are works of art; our cookie platters are crowd favorites. With their expertise and passion, they create desserts that you’ll love!

Q: So, for those in our audience not family with Confections by Casey Renee, tell us about it and why you decided to start a business? 
CR: Confections offers custom made desserts for all occasions. Birthday Cakes, weddings, cookie platters and more! I am Casey Renee, owner and operator. I started the company in March of 2019 after being the pastry chef of Ace Hotel Pittsburgh for 3.5 years. 

I was ready to take the reins on my own operation, be my own boss, and bring my dream to life: A custom cake bakery where I could be creative while making special treats for my customers. I wanted a career where I could work a more sustainable schedule and enhance my quality of life. I wanted to not be bogged down by restaurant and hotel hours. 

Q: Can you share with our audience when your passion for pastry started? 
CR: I’ve always had a sweet tooth. But when I was working at Momofuku in NYC, one of the sous chefs had a French cooking background and I just got really interested in learning and trying all these old school French recipes and techniques and I annoyed him until he taught me. So, I started to really get into desserts, baking, ice cream making, etc., working in that restaurant group. 

Q: When did you know you would become a Pastry Chef? 
CR: After working my way through some pretty fancy restaurants in NYC, and getting to work in world renowned pastry departments, I knew I had the experience. I had the creativity muscle exercised, and the technique practiced. Next, I wanted to learn how to lead and teach. I was ready for a chance to make a team and execute some amazing desserts. Brent Young from the Meat Hook in Brooklyn approached me about the Ace Hotel opening in Pittsburgh and I was ready to come back and be with my family. I said the only position I want...Pastry Chef. 

Q: What is your most popular cake? 
CR: Usually the seasonal special. I’m always having ideas for desserts that need to come to life. This is my outlet to try that cake I’ve been dying to make, or that ingredient I want to use. Summertime has some delicious light cake specials like the Strawberry Rhubarb Summer Dream cake with lemon soaked sponge cake, strawberry rhubarb jam, whipped cream, edible flowers and herbs, and fresh strawberries. It screams summer. And they are only available for a couple months. 

Q: What's the greatest fear you've had to overcome to get where you are today? 
CR: Speaking up for myself. It’s always been hard for me to be assertive but with therapy and practice, standing up for yourself gets easier and easier. 

Q: What’s one lesson you’ve learned in your career that you can share with our audience? 
CR: Get a lawyer! If you are dealing with contracts of any sort for your career, for your business, it’s worth it to have a lawyer you can trust. Especially when signed a commercial leasing contract. 

Q: After high school, where did you feel your career path would take you? 
CR: After high school I went to Point Park University to learn how to start my own radio station. I was way off! But I always had that entrepreneurial spirit. 

Q: Can you tell us how you manage your work life balance? 
CR: I have a set schedule for myself, and I do not answer the business phone outside of business hours. I try to keep myself at eight hours of work a day, but sometimes that’s impossible. And the bakery is closed Sunday/Monday so I can always have two days off, one being a weekend. Because if I can’t enjoy my regular life, I won’t have the energy to put into the business during the week. 

Six Things About Casey Renee 

1. If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be?
Michelle Obama, Trixie Mattel, Emily Dickinson, Amy Poehler 

2. What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time? 
Gardening 

3. What was the last book you really got into? 
When No One is Watching - Alyssa Cole 

4. What’s the most amazing adventures have you’ve ever been on? 
Traveling through South America 

5. What’s your favorite app on your phone? 
Candy Crush 

6. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Morning person