Wicked Kitchen Gourmet Makes a Comeback

By Michele Laudig Fri., Jan. 15 2010 at 1:12 PM

Categories: Chow Bella, News

Even when businesses were dropping like flies earlier this year, it still came as a surprised when popular north Phoenix pastry shop Wicked Bakery closed its doors.

But chef-owner Slade Grove is back on the scene, now operating out of Luci's Healthy Marketplace, which made its own comeback in October, reopening after a July fire at next-door Richardson's forced it to close after only six months in business.

Grove says he began operating as the in-house bakery for Luci's Coffee Bar back in November, and that he's also working with wholesale accounts at cafes around town. Soon, he will be selling to Nordstrom as well. And within six months, Grove hopes to put an expanded bake shop into the former Richardson's space.

Instead of making cupcakes, which Wicked became known for, Grove has reinvented his most popular flavors as "tea cakes" -- the double chocolate version is pictured at left. Red velvet is always available, and strawberry and lemon are in rotation as well.

Other Wicked treats include a variety of creative, decadent brownies, muffins, and rum raisin bread pudding with whisky sauce. And under the banner of Wicked City Confections, Grove will be selling alderwood-smoked sea salt soft caramels.

The company's website, WickedKitchen.com, is currently under construction.