LEI SHISHAK is the founder of Beach Town Baking (www.beachtownbaking.com) and the author of the cookbook Beach Town Baking. She received her training at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, graduating at the top of her class in 2004. Lei is the owner of Sugar Blossom Bake Shop in San Clemente, California and lives just up the coast in Dana Point. She loves spending time at the beach, creating new recipes in her ocean-view loft, riding her mountain bike and going on long hikes in the nearby mountains. Prior to opening her bake shop, Lei worked as Executive Pastry Chef at notable west coast restaurants including Michael Mina’s Stonehill Tavern and was named Pastry Chef of the Year by Southern California’s noted Riviera magazine.