Depressed Cake Shop pops up in L.A.; goods are gray with burst of color inside

By Betty Hallock

Aug. 15, 2013 7:46 AM PT

British-originated pop-up bakery the Depressed Cake Shop, which aims to raise awareness about mental health issues, is landing in Los Angeles. Local bakers and artists will sell themed baked goods at Buckwild Gallery on Friday, Aug. 23, and Saturday, Aug. 24, and the theme is “Gray on the Outside, Colored on the Inside.”

Organizers say the sad, gray baked goods represent depression and other mental illnesses, but when the cakes are cut open, a pop of color is meant to symbolize hope. So expect gray cakes, cookies, cupcakes, doughnuts, brownies and more, including “misfortune cookies,” Rocky Road cheesecake brownies, blue velvet cupcakes with gray frosting, hand-painted cookies from Capacookie, sugar cookies in the shape of Prozac pills, dark chocolate brownies with chocolate ganache and sea salt, cloud meringues, cake pops in the shapes of clouds and monsters from Miss Ali’s Cake Pops, ombre cakes and gray doughnuts with sad sayings. Also, Laura Martin Makey’s gray brains made of white chocolate. All proceeds from the sale will go to NAMI Westside, a Los Angeles chapter of National Alliance for Mental Illness.

The Depressed Cake Shop was founded by Emma Thomas, of the London blog Miss Cakehead, with the long-term goal of setting up a charity to host baking therapy sessions in Britain and support those who would like to turn cake-making into a business as their health improves. During the month of August, Depressed Cake Shops are popping up in Europe, Australia, Malaysia and the U.S.

Rebecca Swanner, who is owner and head baker of online bakery Secret Marmalade and has appeared on “Cupcake Wars,” organized the Los Angeles Depressed Cake Shop. Also at the L.A. event will be a sugar-flower-making demonstration, said Valerie Van Galder, who is helping organize the L.A. bake sale.

An opening party from 7 to 11 p.m. on Aug. 23, will feature Champagne, cocktails and gray baked goods. The Depressed Cake Shop also will be open on Aug. 24, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. To volunteer or to RSVP, visit the Depressed Cake Shop Facebook page.

Depressed Cake Shop at Buckwild Gallery, 12804 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, www.depressedcakeshop.com.

ALSO:

Falafel? Did somebody say falafel?

Craftsman Brewing gets a tasting room

And now a few words from Alma’s Ari Taymor