When Caramel Afternoon opened its doors on June 28 at 216 E. Calder Way in State College, it marked a significant milestone in Seyhan Baskaya’s career.
From Banking To Baking
“I used to be a banker,” Baskaya says.
Originally from Istanbul, Turkey, Baskaya spent several years working as a banker before deciding to change paths in 2017, when she enrolled in a culinary school in Istanbul. After graduating, she spent a year in Atlanta for a hotel internship, returned to Turkey and later moved to Barcelona for six months to train with famous pastry chef Jordi Bordas. However, when the pandemic hit, she returned to Turkey and worked in small pastry shops.
Returning To State College
In 2021, Baskaya found herself moving back to the U.S. for an internship in State College. Before returning and moving back to Turkey, she was offered a position at the Buffalo Marriott. Two years after working there, she felt ready to start her own business and chose to return to State College.
“I like small towns,” Baskaya says. “It’s quiet and safe. There’s a lot of potential because Penn State brings new people every year.”
The Cafe
Baskaya noticed that State College lacked a European-style bakery. Caramel Afternoon provides that influence to State College with pastries such as Budapest rolls, Russian honey cake and fruit tarts.
Baskaya ensures that she keeps American classics on the menu, including desserts such as brownies, carrot cake and chocolate cake.
Every pastry is made by Baskaya herself, using high-quality ingredients imported from Italy and Turkey. She sources Italian pistachio flour and Turkish hazelnut flour, which are used in most of her European baked goods.
Looking Ahead
Looking toward the future, Baskaya’s goal is to maintain high quality and gradually expand by introducing new pastries and offering weekly specials.
“People here are kind,” Baskaya says. “I don’t have family in the U.S., but my customers and other small businesses have supported me from the beginning.”
Have A Caramel Afternoon
Baskaya often writes a note on her coffee cups saying “Have a Caramel Afternoon.” It’s her way of making people smile and improving their afternoon.
Let us know what you think of Caramel Afternoon by tagging us on Instagram or X @VALLEYmag.
It’s exhausting to search out educated people on this matter, but you sound like you already know what you’re speaking about! Thanks
Hello my friend! I wish to say that this article is awesome, great written and include almost all vital infos. I would like to peer more posts like this .
I couldn’t resist commenting
This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.
Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog!
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in truth was a entertainment account it. Glance advanced to far introduced agreeable from you! By the way, how can we keep up a correspondence?
Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Very helpful information specially the last part 🙂 I care for such information much. I was looking for this certain info for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
Oh my goodness! an incredible article dude. Thank you Nonetheless I am experiencing concern with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting an identical rss downside? Anyone who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx
Very interesting topic, appreciate it for putting up. “Nothing is more wretched than the mind of a man conscious of guilt.” by Titus Maccius Plautus.
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say excellent blog!