The Bon Vivant Experience
Beginners, fear not! After hitting up the snacks and cocktails/mocktails, our instructors are experts at making learning fun and approachable, ensuring that even the most inexperienced decorators can unleash their inner pastry Picasso.
At Bon Vivant you'll find yourself immersed in an atmosphere of laughter, friendly competition, and genuine camaraderie with your favorite people. We're not just here to teach you how to decorate; we're here to help you create memories that will be talked about for years to come.
Meet the Team!
Emily Nejad
Founder & Creative Director
The Bon Vivant founder known equally for her cutting edge cake designs and for her joyfully rebellious personality and style.
Since leaving her music career behind and founding Bon Vivant Cakes studio in 2017, Emily quickly became the go-to cake creative for the Chicago cool crowd. In 2021, Bon Vivant pivoted from taking custom orders to offering a full calendar of weekly cake and treat workshops designed for beginners. Emily's mission is to convince everyone she meets that cake & cookie decorating is their new favorite hobby.
Amanda
Kitchen Manager & Lead Instructor
Amanda designs all of Bon Vivant's cookie classes, but her talent doesn't stop there! Our Cookie Queen hails from Eugene, Oregon and graduated with Honors (Best Overall) from the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts in Vancouver in both Culinary and Baking & Pastry Arts. Say that 5 times fast!
From winning first place in her childhood neighborhood's cake walk competition after baking her dad's family's carrot cake recipe, to running her own cookie decorating business, Amanda's experience, expertise and fun humorous energy is unbeatable.
Anika
Lead Baker & Assistant, Head of Kid's Programming
Brimming with hometown pride all the way from Washington, DC, young Anika fell in love with baking the moment she was awarded Best In Show in a neighborhood festival with an Apple Pie! Anika loved baking from a young age, which is why she excels at leading our Kids and Teen programs.
From home-baker to biology major to pastry professional, Anika's wide range of talents and interests (our resident child-whisperer is also our resident pop-punk professor!) bring so much joy to the Bon Vivant space and is truly the apple of our eye.
Michelle
Workshop Instructor
Born in Texas, raised in the suburbs of Chicago, and fully realized in Chicago proper, Michelle is our offsite cookie event champion.
Prior to baking, Michelle was in finance working a different kind of dough! A recent graduate from culinary school, you'll also find her making magic in bread and pastry at Publican Quality Bread, traveling to new places, and continuing her search for the best local croissant.
Martina
Workshop Assistant
Born in a little town by the Atlantic Ocean, Martina from Argentina graduated from College of DuPage with a Culinary Arts Degree for savory foods, though it didn't take long for sweets to steal her heart!
With an appreciation and love of the science baking pastry, as well as experience in catering and workshop instruction, we are so lucky to have Martina on the team. Want to win her over? Bring her favorite childhood birthday treat, Marquis Cake, around-- brownie cake, dulce de leche chantilly cream, and toasty italian meringue. YUM!
Claire
Operations Manager & Inbox BFF
With a mixed background in marketing and branding agencies, as well as the hospitality industry, Claire helps keeps things at Bon Vivant organized. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, she loves nothing more than a big glass of ice-cold milk while taste-testing all the amazing BVC treats.
