About Monica
I have always loved Southern cooking and baking—there’s nothing better than experiencing and enjoying good food. As a country girl at heart, I’ve inherited old-school ways of doing things. Baking isn’t just a passion; it’s in my blood and serves as a relaxing escape for my mind. Growing up, cooking and baking in my family was all about the love of food, family traditions, and experimenting with new ingredients. Cooking represented joy, laughter, and love—it brought us together.
Some of my fondest memories are from gathering in the kitchen, watching my mom cook (though she never shared her secrets!). Our kitchen wasn’t just where the best food came from; it was the heart of our home and where the best conversations took place.
I come from generations of chefs, bakers, and caterers who always baked from scratch and by taste, not from a recipe. So, for me, baking isn’t just something I do—it’s part of who I am. Today, I carry on those same tried-and-true methods, passed down through the generations, while also experimenting with new flavour combinations of my own.
Background
In 2001, while working as a full-time IT Executive, I began a small catering business in my hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada. I serviced private events, corporate retreats, birthday parties, and small weddings. To my surprise, the business flourished through word-of-mouth and a solid reputation.
To perfect my baking craft, I studied cake decorating and baking techniques at Wilton Baking School, alongside various other baking courses, trainings, and certifications. After three years of success, I decided to refocus on my Management Consultancy business.
In 2009, I moved to Scotland, leaving behind my immediate family and friends. To stay busy, I started baking again as a form of relaxation. This quickly grew to baking for my neighbours, extended family, friends, and work colleagues—who knew it would take off like wildfire!
In 2011, I officially established "Just a Lil Mo Kake" from my home-certified kitchen and began baking as a side job. By 2013, I rebranded and changed the business name to Cups ‘N’ Cakes by Monica, converting my garage into a full bake shop on weekends. This is when my journey into Farmers Markets and festivals began, all while balancing a full-time job.
Growth and Expansion
As the business grew, it quickly outgrew my garage bakery. In 2016, I decided it was time to find a permanent brick-and-mortar location, so more people could enjoy the delicious treats that others already loved. We kept our name but rebranded slightly to showcase more of our American-inspired products, expanding beyond custom cupcakes to include brownies, blondies, pies, custom cakes, and of course, the traditional American Whoopie Pie. This transition led us from being a cupcakery to a full-fledged American Bakehouse.
Today, I still balance my full-time job with running my business. Cups ‘N’ Cakes by Monica may not be a large bakery, but it’s a small, charming bakehouse known for not only custom cupcakes but also cakes, brownies, and our popular Whoopie Pies. We use the finest American ingredients, introducing exciting new flavour combinations, all with my unique flair and love for American baking.
My vision is to share the flavours of the baking I grew up with, while also offering an exceptional customer experience that keeps people coming back for more.
That’s the true American way!
Monica Finch-Robertson
Master Baker
I have always loved Southern cooking and baking—there’s nothing better than experiencing and enjoying good food. As a country girl at heart, I’ve inherited old-school ways of doing things. Baking isn’t just a passion; it’s in my blood and serves as a relaxing escape for my mind. Growing up, cooking and baking in my family was all about the love of food, family traditions, and experimenting with new ingredients. Cooking represented joy, laughter, and love—it brought us together.
Some of my fondest memories are from gathering in the kitchen, watching my mom cook (though she never shared her secrets!). Our kitchen wasn’t just where the best food came from; it was the heart of our home and where the best conversations took place.
I come from generations of chefs, bakers, and caterers who always baked from scratch and by taste, not from a recipe. So, for me, baking isn’t just something I do—it’s part of who I am. Today, I carry on those same tried-and-true methods, passed down through the generations, while also experimenting with new flavour combinations of my own.
Background
In 2001, while working as a full-time IT Executive, I began a small catering business in my hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada. I serviced private events, corporate retreats, birthday parties, and small weddings. To my surprise, the business flourished through word-of-mouth and a solid reputation.
To perfect my baking craft, I studied cake decorating and baking techniques at Wilton Baking School, alongside various other baking courses, trainings, and certifications. After three years of success, I decided to refocus on my Management Consultancy business.
In 2009, I moved to Scotland, leaving behind my immediate family and friends. To stay busy, I started baking again as a form of relaxation. This quickly grew to baking for my neighbours, extended family, friends, and work colleagues—who knew it would take off like wildfire!
In 2011, I officially established "Just a Lil Mo Kake" from my home-certified kitchen and began baking as a side job. By 2013, I rebranded and changed the business name to Cups ‘N’ Cakes by Monica, converting my garage into a full bake shop on weekends. This is when my journey into Farmers Markets and festivals began, all while balancing a full-time job.
Growth and Expansion
As the business grew, it quickly outgrew my garage bakery. In 2016, I decided it was time to find a permanent brick-and-mortar location, so more people could enjoy the delicious treats that others already loved. We kept our name but rebranded slightly to showcase more of our American-inspired products, expanding beyond custom cupcakes to include brownies, blondies, pies, custom cakes, and of course, the traditional American Whoopie Pie. This transition led us from being a cupcakery to a full-fledged American Bakehouse.
Today, I still balance my full-time job with running my business. Cups ‘N’ Cakes by Monica may not be a large bakery, but it’s a small, charming bakehouse known for not only custom cupcakes but also cakes, brownies, and our popular Whoopie Pies. We use the finest American ingredients, introducing exciting new flavour combinations, all with my unique flair and love for American baking.
My vision is to share the flavours of the baking I grew up with, while also offering an exceptional customer experience that keeps people coming back for more.
That’s the true American way!
Monica Finch-Robertson
Master Baker
