Dessert Spot in Cebu: Shifting from Schoolwork to City's Sweet Heart, Daphne's Edition
From a humble school project, a flourishing dessert empire was born.
Entrepreneur Algida "Gid" Velasco, a former hotel executive, transformed her daughter's homework into a thriving company that's now garnering awards and expanding with the opening of a physical store on John Paul II Avenue, Cebu City.
With a knack for creative confections, Gid, owner of Daphne's Homemade Desserts, takes pride in her family-oriented business.
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"It all started with my daughter's school project. They had to create a business from scratch, complete with a logo and a Facebook page," Gid shared. "We decided to showcase our family's favorite desserts using our own recipes. From there, we began offering them to the public and continued to grow."
The brand, named after her daughter, Daphne, quickly became renowned for its signature desserts—a delightful blend of traditional comfort and inventive flair.
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"We're loved for our homemade quality, but our original combinations truly set us apart," she said.
Notable entrees on Daphne's menu include the Chocolate Temptation (a moist chocolate cake with leche flan filling), Dreamy Ube Cake with ice cream-like frosting, and Coffee Crumble Cheesecake.
The Chocolate Temptation earned the title of Best of Cebu in the Chocolate Cake category in 2023.
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Gid claims that these unique offerings aren't just tasty—they're exclusive. "Many of our recipes are original, and several flavors are only available through us," she said. "We're about more than just desserts; we're about creating something unique you can't get anywhere else."
Like any burgeoning business, Daphne's has faced its fair share of obstacles, particularly in scaling production.
"We're still a small operation, so we sometimes have to schedule bulk orders by batch," she admitted.
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But these challenges haven't deterred the brand from amassing a devoted following, many of whom were won over during the pandemic, when the abundance of downtime led to experimentation and discovery in the kitchen.
The disruption caused by the pandemic inadvertently served as fertile ground for creativity and growth.
"The memorable moments of that time were when I was able to create flavors that no one else offered, and they were surprisingly enjoyed by many," Gid recounted. This ability to find opportunity amid adversity speaks volumes about Gid's tenacity and innovative spirit.
Gid believes building a devoted customer base extends beyond mere sweet treats. She said it's about forging genuine connections.
"We treat our customers like family," Gid said. "We know their preferences and offer personalized recommendations. That's helped us create lasting relationships beyond just transactions."
Daphne's has relied heavily on digital platforms like Facebook to expand its reach.
"Social media and customer reviews played a significant role in shaping where we are now. We're grateful to have found our niche," she said.
With a physical store now open and ambitions of nationwide delivery in the future, the future looks tantalizingly sweet for Daphne's Homemade Desserts.
"We hope our business continues to thrive so we can create more job opportunities while maintaining the quality that started it all."
For aspiring food entrepreneurs, Gid offers simple yet powerful advice: "Keep going, know your customers, and always have faith."
Daphne's Homemade Desserts symbolizes the power of family, the potential of a school project, and the sweet rewards of pursuing a passion. Despite its humble beginnings, Daphne's has proven that success can start at home—and sometimes, in the classroom.
- In the heart of Cebu City, Daphne's Homemade Desserts, an innovative startup, offers a unique blend of traditional comfort and inventive flair, expanding its empire on John Paul II Avenue.
- From a simple school project, Daphne's Homemade Desserts was born, a vision that has since transformed into a thriving lifestyle business, renowned for its desserts and home-and-garden aesthetic.
- The signature desserts of Daphne's Homemade Desserts, including the Chocolate Temptation, Dreamy Ube Cake, and Coffee Crumble Cheesecake, have earned awards and recognition in the food-and-drink industry, making them Cebu's pride.
- Running a small operation, Daphne's Homemade Desserts continues to overcome challenges, providing original flavors exclusive to the brand that its customers have come to love.
- For entrepreneur Algida "Gid" Velasco, the journey of Daphne's Homemade Desserts is about more than just desserts—it's about creating something unique that forges lasting relationships and symbolizes the power of family, passion, and pursuing one's dream.
