Sugar Pie’s offers the sweet taste of success
By Jill Alexander
With a nickname like Sugar Pie, it’s easy to see why Tami Vega became a baker and a pastry chef.
“My dad used to call me Sugar Pie and that’s how I got my name. I also love making pie,” Vega said in between baking pies for the upcoming Scripps Ranch Farmer’s Market.
Vega is the owner of Sugar Pie’s Bakery in Vista and spends about 60 hours a week baking and making assorted pies, cookies, bars, pastries and gourmet jams that are a mix of gluten-free vegan and traditional (full gluten-full dairy).
You can find her delicious delights at the Scripps Ranch Farmer’s Market on Thursdays.
“I got started when I was 15. My dream was to open my little bakery and cafe. I have worked in the restaurant business for 38 years and I have been a pastry chef for 30 years. I was able to accomplish that dream in 2003 when I started my business in the farmer’s markets in Orange County,” Vega said.
She opened a brick-and-mortar shop from 2005 to 2015 in Orange County. But she closed it and moved to San Diego County, and came back to the farmer’s markets where she originally started selling her pies.
“I do everything from scratch and it’s just me,” she said. “I start at 5 p.m. the night before and work straight through since I want everything to be the freshest possible. I do it all from scratch and taste everything. I’m doing what I love from beginning to end.”
Her pies are fresh and tasty. Vega is known for having some of the best pies and pastries around, including Dutch apple, maple pecan, chocolate creme, berries and crème, key lime, mixed berries, and of course, her signature pie the Sugar Pie, which is puff pastry and custard cream sprinkled with cinnamon sugar on top.
“I just love to be able to do what I love and that’s baking. I’ve got it down to a science. I guess you could say I’m like a mini production line. Sometimes, I even surprise myself,” she said.
Vega also loves selling her sweets at the Scripps Ranch Farmer’s Market because it attracts people of all ages, lots of young people as well as families.
“The best part of being a vendor at Scripps Ranch is the customers, of course. The location is awesome, the other vendors are fun to work with and the best market managers,” Vega said.
Visit the Sugar Pie’s Bakery booth at the Scripps Ranch Farmer’s Market, held from 4 to 8 p.m. each Thursday at 10045 Carroll Canyon Road.