A café in Bushwick is putting an artistic twist on desserts, turning cookies and cupcakes into edible canvases.
Saint Michel Café, located on Irving Street, is the brainchild of Benny Emeri and Carolina Wang, who have spent more than a decade creating food art inspired by fashion and pop culture.
Their unique designs have caught the attention of celebrities, including supermodel Cara Delevingne.
“Paparazzi starts flashing, and I just throw my hand up with the cupcake,” Emeri recalled. “I don’t even know how she saw it, but she comes over and is like, ‘What the [expletive] is that? Can I take a picture with it?’ I’m like, ‘Oh my God, absolutely.’”
The café opened its doors two years ago and has since become more than just a bakery. Benny and Carolina see it as a space to inspire creativity, offering not only their signature artistic desserts but also a curated atmosphere designed to spark imagination.
“This is our love letter back to our community,” Wang said. “We’re giving them access to all the things we love and the relationships we’ve built.”
Beyond the sweets, Saint Michel Café aims to be a hub for creatives.
Vintage magazines, eclectic decor and a welcoming environment make it a space where, as Emeri puts it, “a 10-year-old version of me could walk in and say, ‘Oh my God, I can learn from this.’”