When Amy Chasen opened Sweet Generation, her cupcake-size bakery in the East Village in 2014, she wanted to include a program that benefited society. Sweet Generation RISE, with internships for 16- to 24-year-olds to learn skills needed for food service careers, was born (and not connected to several other organizations also called RISE). It received a multimillion dollar grant from the city’s Criminal Justice Investment Initiative in 2017 for what it described as its work with “young people at risk of becoming involved in the justice system.” With the funding, Sweet Generation, known for Instagram-worthy cakes, cupcakes and cookies, has relocated to a significantly larger two-story space in Bushwick, Brooklyn, opening Saturday. Rob Valencia is the new executive chef in charge. It can now increase its repertoire, retail area and wholesale business, adding items like a French onion soup-flavored scone, assorted sandwiches, a vegan sticky bun and plant-based soft-serve. It will also expand its Sweet Generation RISE program.
Sweet Generation Bakery, 1329 Willoughby Avenue (Jefferson Street), Bushwick, Brooklyn, 646-964-5777, sweetgeneration.org.
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