In the world of desserts, the Mille Crêpes Cakes from Lady M, a New York City-based luxury confections brand, stand out. Their signature bestselling cake is made with 20 paper-thin handmade crêpes with layers of light pastry cream in between. It practically melts in your month and is decadent without being overly sweet.
This year, Lady M celebrates 20 years in business. In that time, the brand has expanded their sweet offerings (which combine French pastry techniques with Japanese influences) and opened more than 40 boutiques worldwide. I had the opportunity to connect with Ken Romaniszyn, CEO, and talk about all things Lady M. I’ll let him take it away from here.
Abigail Abesamis Demarest: How did you come up with the name Lady M? Who is Lady M?
Ken Romaniszyn: We are named Lady M because the letter “M” carries a lot of positive synergy for the company. First, our goal was—and always will be—to be a cake boutique worthy of lining the streets of Madison Avenue alongside other luxurious stores. Lady M’s original boutique is on Madison Avenue and 77th Street. Secondly, one of the company’s original owners is named Emi.
A slice of Lady M’s Signature Mille Crêpes Cake.
Credit: Lady M
Demarest: Tell me about the Signature Mille Crêpes. Who came up with it, how did the idea come about, and why do people love it so much?
Romaniszyn: The Mille Crêpes Cakes were created by our Japanese chefs; a lot of time was spent figuring out how to make the perfect thin crêpe, paired with just the right amount of cream in each layer.
Our Signature Mille Crêpes is a true signature for good reason. It was the first Lady M cake ever created and still our most popular to date. We aimed to develop a cake that was simultaneously elegant and decadent but never too sweet. It’s beautiful enough for grand celebrations, yet approachable enough to enjoy on an ordinary afternoon. Signature Mille Crêpes is an incredibly thoughtful cake that involves many steps to create. Each golden crêpe layer is handmade and quite delicate. We pair that with soft, gently whipped cream. Layer and layer, repeat and repeat. The beauty is in the simplicity.
Demarest: Can you talk about Lady M’s approach to confections?
Romaniszyn: Some of my earliest summer memories involve visiting my grandmother in Japan, where I was introduced to unique, fresh and not-too-sweet desserts. When I joined the family business in 2008, I brought great passion for the art of authentic French-Japanese baking.
The Signature Mille Crêpes Cake
Credit: Lady M
Demarest: After 20 years in business, what has changed, what’s stayed the same, and what’s next?
Romaniszyn: Some of the biggest changes have been the introduction and growth of online shipping, and expansion into new markets with the launch of product lines like Lady M Bon Bon.
A lot has stayed the same over the years, including the integrity of our cakes and products. Commitment to quality comes first in everything we do. From ingredient sourcing all the way to packaging and shipping, quality is always at top of mind. No matter where we open or what new cake flavors we launch, the integrity of our cakes is never compromised. We’ve had the same core recipes for 20 years and always ensure that new flavors are a true representation of our brand.
As for what’s next, stay tuned for exciting innovations, partnerships and beautiful new boutique locations. The future is bright and there is lots to come!