Whimsy & Spice was founded in 2008 in Brooklyn, New York by the husband and wife team of Mark Sopchak and Jenna Park, who combine their skills with more than 14 years of experience in culinary arts and graphic design to produce a distinctive line of handmade sweets.
In April 2008 Whimsy & Spice launched their business at the first ever Brooklyn Flea in Fort Greene with 3 shortbread flavors, 2 different kinds of marshmallows, 2 biscotti, a brownie, and a sampler gift box. Three weeks later they began shipping their products beyond the NYC area. Now in business for more than four years, they have nearly 30 products in rotation and have shipped to every state in the US. They have been featured on national television on the Martha Stewart Show, The Rachel Ray Show, the Cooking Channel and have been covered by the Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, Real Simple, Bon Appetit, Saveur, and Time Out New York. You can find their products in Dean & Deluca, Forager's Market, The Ace Hotel and The Plaza Hotel Food Hall, among other retailers in NYC.
Mark developed a love of spices early on in life. Even at the young age of eight, he was taken by the savory spiciness of the scents emanating from street vendor stands during his time living in Yemen. He later discovered the complexity of both Thai and Indian cuisine while living in his home state of Washington and sought to recreate the flavors in his own kitchen by making his own curry paste, curry powder and garam masala blends. While working as a Pastry Chef in the kitchens of some of NYC's popular restaurants for over 14 years, the spices from his early culinary experiences naturally made their way into his desserts, which always focused on unique and sometimes unexpected combination of flavors. Mark previously served as the Executive Pastry Chef at the Central Park Boathouse Restaurant for 5 years before founding Whimsy & Spice in 2008.
Jenna is an award-winning art director & designer, a native New Yorker and a photographer who freelances with various design agencies and tech start ups in New York City, primarily in the arts & culture, museum, education and non-profit sectors. Some of her projects have included websites for the Smithsonian Photography Initiative, the Harvard Graduate School of Design, Fenimore and Farmers' Museums, Storm King Art Center and the NYU School of Medicine. Her discerning palette and distinct eye for elegant and clean design leads all of the company's branding and creative efforts. She is responsible for the company's marketing, package design, website design and product photography.
