Lesley Holmes (Owner and Baker) is a California girl through and through. Born and raised in San Pedro, CA, Lesley grew up in her family’s shop, one of the leading gourmet stores in the country - Jacaranda, an institution on par with Corti Brothers (Sacramento, CA) and Zabars (NY, NY). After attending USC and graduating with a degree in Gerontology, she went on to raise a family of her own in Hollywood, staying involved in the culinary world as well as working in the non-profit sector to promote arts and literacy in the LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District). Now the pursuit of the perfect cookie and the wisdom and techniques of The Culinary Institute of America take up most of her days. That and checking in on her beloved ones.