The Sweet Surprise Bay Area Story
Leslie M. Radin is an AEA stage manager based in Oakland, CA. Since 2003, she has worked at American Conservatory Theater, Aurora Theatre Company, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, California Shakespeare Theater, Center REPertory Company, and Santa Cruz Shakespeare.
When the theaters closed in March, 2020, Leslie found herself with time on her hands. She continued volunteering with Berkeley Food Network and also started volunteering weekly with Alameda County Community Food Bank. Used to baking regularly for a rehearsal hall or theatre full of hungry people, Leslie began feeding her neighbors all kinds of baked goods on a regular basis.
When a friend was having a bad day and Leslie couldn't get to her house to drop off a treat, she looked for the perfect gift to have delivered and couldn't find it. After sending some flowers, Leslie started thinking about "just a little something" kind of treats and decided to start her own gift company to fill that gap. Everyone who sends a homemade gift to a friend, who receives a surprise treat, or who orders something tasty for themselves is happy, which makes Leslie happy too!
Leslie loves trying out new recipes, screen printing, reading, kayaking, hiking, and sending mail. She also works part time for an awesome children's podcast called The Imagine Neighborhood. Sweet Surprise Bay Area is a one-woman show except for help from her husband, Nic, who is the official quality-control officer for all baked goods and part-time dishwasher & photographer.
Sweet Surprise Bay Area is a Cottage Food Operation, permitted by the Alameda County Department of Environmental Health.
When the theaters closed in March, 2020, Leslie found herself with time on her hands. She continued volunteering with Berkeley Food Network and also started volunteering weekly with Alameda County Community Food Bank. Used to baking regularly for a rehearsal hall or theatre full of hungry people, Leslie began feeding her neighbors all kinds of baked goods on a regular basis.
When a friend was having a bad day and Leslie couldn't get to her house to drop off a treat, she looked for the perfect gift to have delivered and couldn't find it. After sending some flowers, Leslie started thinking about "just a little something" kind of treats and decided to start her own gift company to fill that gap. Everyone who sends a homemade gift to a friend, who receives a surprise treat, or who orders something tasty for themselves is happy, which makes Leslie happy too!
Leslie loves trying out new recipes, screen printing, reading, kayaking, hiking, and sending mail. She also works part time for an awesome children's podcast called The Imagine Neighborhood. Sweet Surprise Bay Area is a one-woman show except for help from her husband, Nic, who is the official quality-control officer for all baked goods and part-time dishwasher & photographer.
Sweet Surprise Bay Area is a Cottage Food Operation, permitted by the Alameda County Department of Environmental Health.