Erica Bentson
Owner/Executive Pastry Chef
Erica brings over 25 years’ experience with her. From a young age, Erica was passionate about baking and cake decorating. She began by decorating cakes for friends and family in her teens. In April of 1993 she began her classical training at Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon. Graduating in 1994, she then moved to Hawaii to begin her career at the Grand Wailea Resort as a pastry cook.
Erica Bentson - Owner/Executive Pastry Chef
Erica brings over 25 years’ experience with her. From a young age, Erica was passionate about baking and cake decorating. She began by decorating cakes for friends and family in her teens. In April of 1993 she began her classical training at Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon. Graduating in 1994, she then moved to Hawaii to begin her career at the Grand Wailea Resort as a pastry cook.
After honing her skills there for over a year, Erica then traveled the continent of Europe. While traveling abroad, she was privileged to attend Le Cordon Bleu's Patisserie program in London, England, graduating with Honors and an offer to stay and continue as an instructor’s assistant.
Upon her return to Portland, Erica was finally able to attain her dream of owning her own business. Finales-Fine Cakes & Desserts was born! Building upon her cake decorating skills, she quickly became one of Portland's preferred wedding cake vendors.
In May of 2019, Erica accepted the Pastry Chef position at the Facebook Data Center in Prineville, Oregon, making the move over the
mountains to Central Oregon. After a couple years there, Erica's restless spirit grew and she decided to make an even bigger move.
In April of 2022, she packed up everything and made her way to Arizona. Keeping in her family tradition of being an entrepreneur, Erica purchased Sue Jacobs Cakes in June of 2022 and, over the next year, transformed it into what is now, Whisk & Paddle Bakeshop. A finalist in Arizona Bride’s Best of 2023 in only its first year, Erica is excited to continue to grow and develop Whisk & Paddle into the best cakes and desserts that Arizona has to offer!
