Cupcake couture

(Credit: Jillian Coyle, Special to Metromix)

The cupcake craze started with Magnolia Cupcakes in New York City in 1996 and now the trend has found its home in the nation’s capital. Sisters, Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis, always had a love for baking and a dream to work together someday. They decided to go for it last May when Katherine quit her job. By September they were signing the lease on what would become Georgetown Cupcake; they opened for business Valentine’s Day this year.

With all of the preparations needed to get the store open, they didn’t bother with much marketing or advertising; they ran down to Kinko’s to copy a few flyers saying when they’d officially open. They say they were shocked to see a line formed down the block that first day.

So why did they choose cupcakes? LaMontagne describes them as an interesting canvas for decorating and creating new flavors and ideas. They’re the perfect size dessert, and people seem to love the ability to pick and choose multiple flavors for parties and events. She adds, “We decided to focus on one thing and do it really well.” They’ve certainly achieved that goal.

The flavors alone are a mix of exciting new tastes and unique, gourmet twists on the cupcakes your mom used to bake. LaMontagne’s favorite flavor is the chocolate hazelnut, while Kallinis’ favorite changes with her moods (according to her sister). Her most recent favorites include their red velvet and chocolate banana.

Georgetown Cupcake has been doing so well, they’re thinking of expanding to more locations including one specifically for catering and delivery orders. With all the buzz surrounding them, they’ve even had some famous visitors like Russell Crowe who stopped in while filming an upcoming movie “State of Play” recently. We recommend you drop by; even if you don’t get star struck, you’ll still get a delicious treat.