Angel Kanakubo, the pastry chef at our property in Altadena is the proud winner of the cheesecake competition for the Western Division, which includes all Morrison Chefs west of the Mississippi. She created a distinct and delectable Cranberry, Orange Cheesecake and walked away with first prize for her culinary talents.

Chef Angel not only developed an amazing cheesecake but also incorporated one of the super foods, specifically cranberries in her creation. Cranberries are native to North America, and often considered only at Thanksgiving. But they are a good source of various vitamins, including Vitamin C, are rich in antioxidants, and make a wonderful addition to the table any time of year.

Chef Angel spreads joy to our MonteCedro residents through the foods she creates. She studied Patisserie and Baking at Le Cordon Bleu Los Angeles in 2011. Before becoming a vital member of the ECS team in 2016, she worked at several bakeries in Los Angeles, including the renowned House of Bread, The Village Bakery in Los Feliz, and Café and CakeMonkey Bakery. She has also catered desserts for weddings and special events all over Southern California.

Recently married, Angel and her husband, who is also a chef, live in Simi Valley, California with their dog, Nova. Angel loves making all kinds of desserts, but her favorite is a good old-fashioned pie. “Nothing beats the contrast between a nice flakey crust and a fruity or creamy filling, plus the ice cream on top!” she says.

When she’s not dedicated to baking, she expresses her creativity through her crafts, art and design. Angel loves to paint and is currently studying Interior Design.

Working at MonteCedro has given her purpose beyond just baking. “It means a great deal to be able to give joy to our residents through the food we create,” she says.

We are thrilled that Angel’s skills and delicious creations received the recognition they deserve. Residents at MonteCedro have had the pleasure of tasting her creations for the past five years. Now others are discovering her talents. Congratulations, Angel.