The “E” in ECBG
Hey! I’m Erin Martin, The Owner of ECBG
I’m wildly in love with my friends and family, super into the Chicago restaurant and comedy scene, and obsessed with exploring the cake and pastry world.
I’m so glad you’re here! I can’t wait to work with you to create your treats — knowing that it is much, much more than just dessert.
in radical inclusion
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in expressing ourselves fully
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that ordinary moments should be celebrated
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in EXCELLENT customer service
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that beauty is everywhere
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in radical inclusion • in expressing ourselves fully • that ordinary moments should be celebrated • in EXCELLENT customer service • that beauty is everywhere •
AT ECBG, WE BELIEVE...
OUR MISSION
To help you celebrate the moments that matter, with the sweet indulgences of life.
I founded ECBG way back in 2011 — as Erin's Custom Baked Goods — on the ideals of customization, accessibility, and learning as I went. I had an immense amount of support from outstanding bosses, instructors, chefs, bakers, co-workers, tutorials, mistakes, successes, mentors, and industry friends. Since then the focus of ECBG has shifted to honoring value, excellence, professionalism, and quality above all else.
While keeping a personal and custom touch in mind, I promise to offer you delicious and beautiful pieces made with high quality and organic ingredients that are worthy of your celebration.
I promise to strive for excellence in conquering the cake + pastry world, knowing it is always evolving, in order to bring you top tier skills, styles, and flavor.
Explore more eCBG — From buttercream techniques to building your biz to our can’t-live-without-’em faves.
Looking to hone your cake decorating skills? We offer in-person classes at our bakery in River West, as well as in-depth online courses to dive in at home.
Want to know more about building a business from the ground up? Book a consulting call with Erin + get answers to all your questions.
Want to go behind-the-scenes with Team ECBG? Head over to our blog, Cherry on Top, to browse the latest.
We’re insanely proud of our amazing team here at ECBG. Scroll to meet the gals behind the cakes!
YOLI
Hola, my name is Yolanda. After years of searching for the perfect job in the kitchen industry, I found my home at ECBG two years ago.
At ECBG, with the help of some amazing people, I have developed my craft and cultivated my skills, transforming cakes into visually stunning edible masterpieces.
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I'm from Mexico, and I can always talk about the culture, cuisine, and rich traditions of my country!
My family is my everything. They will always put a smile on my face (well, almost always)!
I am a crafting enthusiast — I enjoy unleashing my creativity and learning new skills!
BRITTANY
My name is Brittany, AKA the Piping Queen!
I’ve been a professional pastry chef for over 10 years and I joined Team ECBG in the summer of 2021 as the Kitchen Manager. I’m from the northwest suburbs of Chicago and I’m a dog mom to two cocker spaniels: Penny & Bella!
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My role is over looking all tasks and creating a production schedule for everyone to tackle throughout the week. Working for Erin has been life changing. She took a chance on me & I’m so glad she did! I’ve been able to spread my creative wings & soar! I’m always up to take on a new challenge, especially side by side with Erin ❤️
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Pizza is my favorite food 🍕
I love online shopping
I was a tap dancer for 11 years
Izzy
Izzy was born on the East Coast and started working on cakes at 13. She has a Bachelor's degree in Theater Directing from Skidmore College, where she also did social work. After relocating to Chicago, she started working on cakes again.
It's been a dream working at ECBG for almost 3 years! She loves to decorate your cakes, answer all your Cake Shop questions, hold wedding cake tastings, and help teach you in our cake classes!
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Her sons (cats) are named Egg and Cheese.
She’s a jazz singer.
She’s a black belt in Karate.
Katrina
Hi! I'm Katrina. I was born and raised in Miami and have been obsessed with baking since I was a kid.
After graduating with my accounting degree and pursuing that path for a year, I realized it was definitely not for me. I was lucky enough to find a chef in Miami who was willing to take a chance on me and the rest is history!
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I absolutely love creating delicious treats and have fallen in love with cakes since working at ECBG. In my spare time, you'll probably find me baking, taking a workout class, trying new restaurants, or swooning over my dog, Cinnamon.
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I was a competitive dancer growing up.
I applied to work for Cesar Milan (The Dog Whisperer) before entering the food industry.
I can handstand walk!
Sarah
Sarah is the Wedding, Wholesale, and Logistics Manager and also Erin's sister!
She has been with the company since 2018 and loves working with couples and their families to create the perfect special day. Sarah loves yoga, traveling, nature, her husband and 3 kids.
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Sarah has been skydiving, run a half marathon, and been snowmobiling on a glacier in Iceland!
Ari
Hi! I’m Ari! I’m a proud Filipina, I love to cook and bake. I’m very adventurous, I also love to travel and try new restaurants!
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I score 100 in karaoke.
Brunch is my favorite meal of the day 🥞
I love making charcuterie boards!
Kelly
I'm from Nashville, went to pastry school in Chicago and now work remotely from Atlanta. I live with my husband and cutie dog, Toaster.
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I’m a big Halloween fan (fave movie is Hocus Pocus!)
I’m into house renovations and ceramics.
Last fall, I won our neighborhood bakeoff contest making caneles!
Kristi
I live in Downers Grove with my partner Bob and our 3 dogs, Abe, Max, and Piggy, cat Satchmoe, snake, turtle, fish, and a truly comical amount of plants.
I am a trained, award-winning pastry chef and cake artist with an extreme passion for art in all forms! I hold Associate's degrees in Art, Science, and Baking and Pastry from the College of DuPage.
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When I'm not "caking" at ECBG I can be found in a few spots: at home in our garden or my studio room, or out in the wild at artist markets as my inedible artist alter ego None of This is Cake.
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I went through 3 years of Zoology with a specialty in Herpetology before deciding to be an artist instead 😬
I can make balloon animals!
Once I woke up at 6 am to be productive and started unloading the dishwasher only to find a baby possum in the bottom. Yes, it was alive. No, we never found out how it got in there. 100% biggest surprise of my life.
Jenny
I’m a Cuban Miami native now loving life in the Midwest. From age 4, dance has been my passion, carrying me through college competitions and choreography.
Post-graduation from FSU, I've dabbled in TV, film, events, marketing, and design, blending art with business. Off-duty, I'm in dance classes, taking care of doggies, binge-watching cop shows, or owning karaoke nights.
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Currently, I'm training at Second City for improv/sketch comedy, chasing my pipe dream of gracing the stage at SNL!
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Moved from Miami to Chicago just for a lifestyle change.
I’ve been considered the universal dog tia (auntie) of this generation!
I take pride in my singing impressions… even though I can’t sing!
Gabby
I just received my Bachelors Degree in Information Science with a concentration in User Experience. I currently work as a finance analyst and have a knack for working with numbers and analyzing data!
I do freelance photography in my free time and adore 35mm film. Aside from my professional pursuits, I love running and have a giant sweet tooth! A sweet treat before bed and Zach Bryan are my non-negotiables.
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I've gone backpacking in British Columbia.
I lived in Hawaii for 3 months.
Ive never had Taco Bell (weird flex?)
Margaret
I'm a leap year baby born on February 29th, so technically I'm only 6 years old! I LOVE to be outdoors doing activities like biking, swimming, and hiking.
Even though I’m surrounded by cakes, my favorite dessert is banana pudding!