Baked By Michela Opening As Bucks Businesswoman Fulfills Dream

UPPER SOUTHAMPTON, PA —Michela Sorano was always in the kitchen.

From age 3, she'd watch her father cook, picking up tips and lessons that would last her a lifetime.

"I've been baking my whole life," the 25-year-old Sorano said. "I was just doing it as a hobby."

And now it's become a business.

On Sunday, Sorano will hold a soft opening from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to launch her own business, Baked by Michela. She signed a lease on April 1 to take over the property at 777 Second Street Pike in Southampton. She's replacing Tweet Rhythm Bakery, which once occupied the site.

A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for Saturday, May 27. She said the first 100 people there will receive a free jumbo chocolate chip cookie.

Sorano never planned on having her own business.

The Richboro resident received her apprenticeship degree from Bucks County Community College and then started working at the Acme in Richboro as a cake decorator.

"When Covid hit, I thought about selling to the public," she said. "I had always just thought I'd work at a supermarket or Costco. I always heard that nobody can be successful in this business. That there are long hours and you won't grow because you're always working under someone."

Then she ventured out on her own, creating confections and concoctions that were sold out of food trucks several times a week at festivals in Bensalem and Levittown, among other places in Bucks County.

The baking all started with her grandmother.

She said her "Mom-Mom" worked in a place run by nuns. She had five daughters, and despite tough times, always made sure there was a cake for dessert once a week.

A lot of the old German and Italian recipes she picked up, Sorano will be using in her bakery.

"I want hundreds of people to enjoy these recipes that me and my family have cherished for years," Sorano said. "I live for the holidays, all the Christmas cookies."

Don't expect to see a lot of employees when you visit Baked by Michela. She's a solo act and plans to remain that way for a little while.

"I'm the only baker. I know that sounds crazy but I'm used to doing everything on my own. I want to stay as authentic as possible," Sorano said. "I don't want the quality to go down."

She does prep work Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and then begins baking because she doesn't want her products to be stale.

Sorano will feature all the classics and her specialty of Jewish Apple cakes. She will offer a "huge variety."

Sorano knows she has her work cut out for her.

"There are not a lot of bakeries around anymore making things from scratch," she said. "It's kinda scary, but I'm very excited."