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About Me

My name is Elliot James Hartwell, and at 39 years old, I’m proud to call Portland, Oregon my home base and the beating heart of my cake studio. Mindfully Cakes isn’t just a brand—it’s a deeply personal philosophy shaped by years of navigating the high-wire world of professional kitchens, the quiet reflection of early mornings with my mixing bowls, and a lifelong passion for edible storytelling. My journey began in a small Midwestern town, where my grandmother’s kitchen was a sanctuary of aromas and intention. She never rushed a recipe. Watching her fold egg whites with reverence or measure flour with instinct planted the seed for what would become my obsession: precision with soul. I trained at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, and from there, I staged in patisseries across Paris, Montreal, and Tokyo—absorbing not just technique, but the rhythm and ethos of each place.

Mindfully Cakes was born out of a desire to create confections that respect the ingredients, honor the occasion, and challenge the norm. To me, a cake isn’t just dessert; it’s sculpture, memory, chemistry, and culture all layered together. I specialize in minimalist yet conceptually rich designs—think yuzu chiffon wrapped in black sesame buttercream or a miso caramel drip cascading over matcha sponge. Every element serves a purpose, nothing is gratuitous.

I built this studio for chefs who get it—those who respect mise en place as an art form, who revel in the beauty of a flawless Italian meringue, and who understand that mindfulness isn’t a buzzword, but a discipline. I believe that when we slow down and bake with awareness, we elevate not only our craft but also ourselves. Sure, I’ve torched a few ganaches and overproofed more than my share of brioche, but every misstep has been a teacher.

Through Mindfully Cakes, I want to connect with fellow professionals who are constantly pushing, refining, questioning. Let’s share our triumphs, dissect our disasters, and keep reimagining what a cake can be. Because when we bake with purpose, we bake with power.