Foodologie Baked Goods: A Sweet Blend of Heritage and Passion
Maria Leyesa is the founder of Foodologie Baked Goods. Photo by Alan Escalante (@alanescalante)
Foodologie Baked Goods isn't just your ordinary bakery; it's a labor of love, passion, and a testament to the American dream, all wrapped up in a delicious package of cookies and brownies.
At its helm is a dynamic first-generation Filipino-American woman, whose journey from the Philippines to the United States is as rich and flavorful as the treats she bakes.
Meet Maria Leyesa, the founder and creative mind behind Foodologie Baked Goods. Born in Lipa City, Batangas, her roots in the Philippine Islands run deep.
"Like many cultures, food is the heart of the Philippines. We take pride not only in our food but hospitality," Leyesa shares, reflecting on her upbringing and the values instilled in her by her family.
Her astounding adventure as a baking extraordinaire started out of the blue in March 2020, during the COVID-19 quarantine. Like many others during the pandemic, Leyesa found there was an influx of free time that presented itself to her.
There was no solid intention of creating a business out of the newfound hobby, however, armed with determination and an internet connection, she ventured into the realm of baking after developing a hankering for her favorite sweet treats.
Maria Leyesa began baking in March 2020. Photos by Alan Escalante (@alanescalante)
"Prior to this, I had never baked anything from scratch--but thanks to the internet, I had all the tools I needed to learn. From youtube to pinterest to blogs--i gathered recipes from experts or at least from people who knew much more than I did. It was very challenging--however, my curiosity and love for food fueled my desire to keep going," Leyesa says.
Foodologie's journey from modest beginnings as an Instagram food enthusiast to becoming a fully fledged bakery owner is a tale of tenacity and dedication.
“Foodologie started as an instagram account many years prior to my journey with baking. I love food so much that I wanted to create a separate account from my personal account to just post about all things food. To be technical, it means ‘the study of food’--which ended up being fitting for my baking journey as I was quite literally ‘studying food,’” Leyesa explains.
Foodologie Baked Goods is distinguished from other bakeries in the vicinity by its steadfast commitment to excellence in its two areas of expertise: brownies and cookies.
Maria Leyesa incorporates Filipino traditions into her baking. Photo by Alan Escalante (@alanescalante)
Leyesa’s specialty is making these traditional candies with a distinctive twist, motivated by her Filipino background. The ube brownie, a Filipino treat made with her family recipe, is the menu's pièce de résistance.
“While I love to recommend other bakeries in the area for other things, we believe that when it comes to cookies and brownies, we do it best,” Leyesa proudly declares.
When it comes down to the inevitable obstacles involved in operating a small bakery, Leyesa is no exception. However, she meets them head-on with a can-do attitude and a keen sense of problem-solving.
“Everything has a solution, it just comes down to figuring it out and getting creative,” she says.
With that being said, Leyesa has wise words for aspiring small company owners:
“If you're willing to work hard and go above and beyond for your business--then it will be a success! But that also means willing to do what most won't do, a ton of sacrifices, working non-stop, and giving it your all; it is definitely not for everyone...but for me, it has been the most rewarding thing I have ever experienced and accomplished. However, this doesn't mean not giving yourself breaks when needed and giving praise (to yourself) when it's due! Celebrate all your victories, even and especially the small ones--because I truly believe that it's the little things that make the biggest impact.”
She doesn’t cease to acknowledge the high hopes she upholds for the future of Foodologie.
Maria Leyesa hopes to grow her business into multiple locations. Left photo courtesy of Maria Leyesa; right photo courtesy of Alan Escalante @alanescalante
Leyesa has big plans for Foodologie, and she wants to grow it while remaining loyal to her homeland in the Inland Empire and other parts of Southern California.
“I would love to see multiple locations--including some in the Inland Empire--where I grew up. I would also love to see some locations in Orange county and Los Angeles, as I have a strong customer base in those areas as well. However, I am so grateful and fortunate to have started my first brick & mortar in Long Beach. A city that I not only live in, but love so much,” she says.
Foodologie Baked Goods is a ray of optimism, resiliency, and the enduring force of a dream driven by passion and perseverance in an uncertain world. Maria Leyesa will live on in the memories and palates of her neighborhood for as long as there are brownies to eat and cookies to bake.
Located at195 Claremont Ave, Long Beach, CA 90803.
Open Tuesday – Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and closed Monday.