Meet Aprille Ricafranca | Owner/Baker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aprille Ricafranca and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aprille, what role has risk played in your life or career?

After high school, I went the traditional route and went to college. I eventually worked for a domestic violence shelter as a Children’s Case Manager. I worked there for a few years, but due to the organization’s budget constraints, I decided to pursue another opportunity.

I made the bold decision to go to Cinema Makeup School in Los Angeles and became a Certified Makeup Artist. I worked on movie sets, provided makeup services for local commercials, music videos, shorts, fashion shoots and weddings/special events. I loved it! But, once I became pregnant with my first child, I had a choice to make. Do I continue to pursue my career, which meant I’d have to leave my child with a nanny while I was away on sets for weeks at a time? Or do I put my career on hold and focus on being the best mom I could be for my child? I chose the latter.

Looking back, it was the right choice for me. It wasn’t until my kids were ready for school that I began freelancing as a makeup artist in the wedding industry.

In 2020, things shifted immediately and seeing clients in person was no longer an option due to the pandemic. Although many of my clients wanted to reschedule, I was too afraid to be around anyone besides my family. I made the difficult decision to retire my makeup business.

I had my kids at home during the pandemic and since we were living at uncertain times, I wanted to be there for my kids, to create stability and tranquility by being home. Like everyone else, I baked frequently for family and friends. I was terrified of putting myself out there, not knowing how people would respond to my baked goods.

Fortunately, my products were well-received and I now have a steady stream of customers!

As much as taking risks terrify me, they are absolutely necessary for growth. Challenges have brought out the best in me! Looking back, I don’t regret any of the decisions I’ve made; I’ve learned so much with each step of my life journey.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Growing up as an Asian in the U.S. was difficult. Most of my school classmates weren’t familiar with Asian flavors or customs. The flavors I loved from home were considered weird. I want to introduce Asian flavors and fuse them with familiar flavors, and change the perception of Asian flavors through my cupcakes and cakes. My most popular flavor is OobChata, which is an Ube flavor (Filipino purple yam) infused with horchata, a Mexican drink I grew up with. My goal is to challenge what people think is normal, and introduce them to their next favorite treat. I’ve learned that today’s foodies are more adventurous types of eaters, who readily try new things!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I consider myself a foodie; I would probably take the train to Union Station, then walk over to Little Tokyo for some sushi and imagawayaki, a Japanese pancake filled with sweetened red bean. We would spend the whole day there going to the different shops and grabbing snacks at the local eateries. We would also walk over to Olvera Street and take a look at the colorful shops they have there.

Another place I’d take them to is Koreatown. We’d enjoy some all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ and get some bingsoo (Korean shaved ice) for dessert!

Southern California is also home to several fascinating museums that are a must-visit. My favorites are the Natural History Museum, the Getty and the Japanese National Museum.

Another attraction I would suggest we visit is Universal Studios to see Harry Potter World! We would pretend to be wizards with our wands while drinking icy butterbeers!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It would definitely be my hubby, Bryan, who constantly encourages me to pursue my dream. I also wouldn’t be here without my lola (grandma) who recently passed away. She is the reason why I love baking so much. Growing up, I used to watch her cook and bake with such caress and love. My uncle Marty is also an inspiration; he has been a big supporter of my baking journey!

Website: www.bentobakehouse.com

Instagram: @bentobakehouse