Browse Tag

bakery

8 mins read

From Stage to Stove: How Broadway Shaped the Success of Little Pie Company

Arnold Wilkerson’s life took an unexpected yet incredibly fruitful turn when he transitioned from the bright lights of Broadway to the kitchens of Little Pie Company.

As a seasoned actor, Wilkerson had spent years captivating audiences with his performances on stage, but his career took a deliciously creative detour into the world of baking, where he would establish a bakery that has now been a beloved New York staple for over three decades.

In this interview, Wilkerson reflects on the theatrical lessons that shaped his approach to running a bakery and how he continues to infuse passion and creativity into his work after so many years.

From Stage to Stove: A Theatrical Approach to Business

When asked how his experience in theater influenced his approach to baking, Arnold Wilkerson draws clear parallels between the two worlds. “One essential thing they teach in acting school is technique,” he begins. “Sometimes, a stage actor may not truly feel the role they’re given to play. However, the audience must be convinced they’ve seen a great performance. Was it from the heart, or was it from a skilled technician who knew their craft?”

For Wilkerson, the technical discipline and commitment to excellence that acting requires are traits that easily transferred to running a business. He highlights the importance of professionalism—being on time, prepared, and giving one hundred percent to the task at hand. “Fortunately, these are lessons that apply to operating a company as well,” he explains. “We’ve been fortunate to assemble a team of gifted and talented people, including some who have been with us for nearly forty years.”

This sense of dedication is what has allowed Little Pie Company to remain not just a bakery but a symbol of consistency, quality, and passion in New York’s ever-evolving food scene.

Staying Creative After 30 Years in Business

Arnold Wilkerson has been running Little Pie Company for over three decades, yet his passion for baking hasn’t waned. When asked what keeps him inspired after all these years, he reflects on the environment that shaped him. “I come from a background that taught me the importance of being the best at whatever task I was given,” he says. “New York offered me the challenge to explore my imagination, to go forward with my sense of creativity and interest beyond theater.”

The late 1980s saw a culinary revolution in America, with chefs, bakers, and food entrepreneurs elevating familiar, comforting dishes to new heights. Wilkerson was inspired by this movement and found joy in reminding people of the simple pleasures of family-style desserts, like cobblers and pies made with fresh fruit. “Those basic dishes we enjoyed as children could be elevated to new heights,” he explains. “Sharing that experience never grows tiring.”

For Wilkerson, baking became another form of storytelling—one that invokes nostalgia and fosters a connection between past and present.

The Importance of Fresh, Handmade Ingredients

At the heart of Little Pie Company’s philosophy is the commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients. In an era where processed foods and automation are prevalent, Wilkerson believes in the power of handmade, artisanal baking. “We live in a time of processed foods and automation. That has its place in life, but when something is made fresh, by hand, the spirit of the person is felt,” he says. “That’s why we hand crimp our crust and use fresh fruit.”

This insistence on craftsmanship ensures that every pie tells its own story—a labor of love from the bakers who carefully prepare it. The handmade touch is what gives Little Pie Company its identity, a quality that Wilkerson and his team take great pride in maintaining.

A Fixture in the Community

For nearly four decades, Little Pie Company has been a cornerstone in its Manhattan neighborhood, not just as a business but as a community hub. Wilkerson has made it a priority to hire local young people, many of whom have grown within the company. “Forty years at the same location has allowed us to hire many of the neighborhood’s young people and help educate them,” he notes. “For many of them, it’s their first job.”

One of those early hires, Danny Garcia, who started as a young employee, is now vice president of Little Pie Company—a testament to the company’s nurturing environment. Additionally, Little Pie Company continues to be an active participant in the local theater district, maintaining its roots in the community that first inspired Wilkerson’s creative journey.

Ensuring Quality Across a Wide Variety of Pies

Consistency is key when it comes to maintaining the high quality of Little Pie Company’s beloved pies, which range from seasonal favorites to year-round classics. Wilkerson’s team works with a rotating menu to highlight regional pies that are true to their origins. “We have a seasonal menu and each month we feature regional pies served around the country,” he says. “For example, in the Summer, we have Fresh Georgia Peach pie, and we make Pumpkin pie during the Fall.”

By focusing on fresh, regional ingredients and a seasonal menu, Wilkerson ensures that each pie is made with care and attention to detail.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Bakers

Wilkerson’s journey from Broadway to baking has been marked by hard work, passion, and dedication, but his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is grounded in practicality. “When you select the type of business you want to go into, make sure there is a market for it,” he advises. “Know your skill set and work with someone who will be as dedicated as you are. Make sure you are prepared to go forward with absolute tunnel vision toward your goal.”

With this simple yet powerful advice, Wilkerson encourages the next generation of bakers and business owners to remain focused, passionate, and disciplined—traits that have certainly served him well in his own remarkable career.

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3 mins read

Black Owned Bakeries You Should Know

Our list of Black owned bakeries is comprised of pastry professionals and customizable cake makers from across the country.

When selecting these businesses, we took several factors into consideration, including customer reviews, personal experience and web site aesthetics. Enjoy and support!

Black Owned Bakeries

Mo’Pweeze Bakery (Denville, NJ) offers delectable treats like cupcakes, cakes, bread, cookies, and pies that are just as indulgent as regular bakery items.

black owned bakery

Sublime Doughnuts (Atlanta, GA) presents flavors and textures from around the world on a doughnut canvas.

Justice of the Pies (Chicago, IL) is a bakery that specializes in sweet pies, savory pies, quiches and tarts.

bakeries

PieTisserie (Oakland, CA) offers unique takes on classic dessert pies, made with whole, fresh and frequently local, organic ingredients.


CamiCakes (Atlanta, GA) specializes in yummy gourmet cupcakes to enjoy daily or for birthdays, weddings and many other special celebrations.

The Sweet Lobby (Washington D.C.) is a bakeshop featuring cupcakes, macarons & other French sweets in traditional & offbeat flavors.

Penthouse Sweets (Chicago, IL) is a custom dessert studio that specializes in one-of-a-kind custom cakes for special occasions.

Make My Cake (Harlem, NY) offers a homestyle, Southern vibe for specialty cakes, cheesecakes, cupcakes & pies.

Cake Love (Alexandria, VA) offers classic layer cakes & cupcakes from scratch, including vegan & gluten-free items.

Sugar Jam Bake Shop & Bistro (Scottsdale, AZ)  sells addictively delicious handmade baked goods.

Two Dough Girls (Atlanta, GA) is an all-natural pop-up bakery specializing in vegetarian, vegan & gluten-free sweet treats.

Southern Soufflé (Atlanta, GA) offers a range of southern-style, home-cooked goodies, from biscuits and cornbread to cakes, cookies, Ask about their Sunday Supper Club!

Big Man Bakes ( Los Angeles, CA) is a small storefront bakery features cupcakes in a few select flavors, including carrot & red velvet.

Icedgems Baking (Reisterstown, MD is a small, artisanal bakery specializing in dessert items, cakes, and cupcakes for every occasion.

SweetArt (St. Louis, MO ) is a family-owned bakeshop, cafe, and art studio on a mission is to provide the best desserts in St. Louis.

Curtis and Cake (Fort Atkinson, WI)  is a small-batch cake and sweets studio inspired by the tastes of the American South.

Buttermilk Drop (New Orleans, LA) Bakery Donuts, king cakes & drops are offered at this joint.

Jera’s Heavenly Sweet (Toledo, OH) is a local, old fashioned, everything made from scratch bakery.

Did we miss any? Let us know!

-Tony O. Lawson

If you would like to add your business to this list (or another) SUBMIT HERE.


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