Regulars of the Proctor Farmers Market may be familiar with Cakery Atelier and its by-the-slice offerings, but what might be less familiar is the duo behind the business and their story, which includes a daring career change, international travel, and a serendipitous move to one of Tacoma’s most active business districts.
Before entering the culinary world, Luis Pérez worked as a user-experience designer for Alaska Airlines. When he was furloughed during the pandemic, he devoted himself to his longtime passion for baking cakes. In 2023, he traveled to Paris, where he spent six months studying French pastry. Nearly two years after returning, while also working a new corporate job, Pérez launched his pastry business.
“I decided to start doing (the bakery) until I no longer could do both, and then I just decided to switch fully to pastry,” he said. “I realized this was what I was meant to do.”…