Custom dessert boutique puts 'suga' on top

Fifteen-years ago, Padua Player worked as a pastry chef at 21 Federal Restaurant downtown DC. His mentor, executive chef Susan McCreight-Lindenborg, fondly called Player "Suga Chef." When Player asked the reason behind the playful nickname, she replied, "Because you work with all of the sweet stuff!" Player has parlayed his sweet stuff into Suga Chef Desserts, a custom dessert boutique popular for its wedding cakes, gourmet cupcakes, cookies and cheesecakes. Baking has always been a passion for Player. He became attracted to it when he observed his mother prepare pies and homemade dinner rolls during holidays. Player graduated from being his mother's helper to taking a leap of faith and experimenting after school with quick breads and various family favorites. The true evolution of his craft occurred after Player took a job washing dishes downtown at 21 Federal Restaurant as a high school student.

It was there that Player watched and learned from the likes of chefs Bob Kinkead, Ris Lacoste, pastry chef Maye Barnes, and later his mentor Susan McCreight-Lindenborg, whose baking style Player said he enjoyed. Demonstrating an interest in the chefs' work, Player was offered a position prepping food. His advancement later earned him the opportunity to bring in his homemade desserts for McCreight-Lindenborg to taste and critique. In 1990, Player attended Baltimore International Culinary College and excelled in pastry.

Player calls his Suga Chef persona his alternate life. He recalls how amazing it felt to experience his first sale in 1987 - a citrus pound cake to his cousin. This was during the time Player was baking cakes on the side. Nearly eight-years later, Suga Chef Desserts was born.

"You're working with clients who have different tastes and high expectations," he said of his clientele. "You may have a client that brings in a picture and says, 'I want my wedding cake to look exactly like this,' or 'can you incorporate these colors into the cake?'"

Player's commitment is to give customers exactly what they like and to surpass their expectations. According to Suzanne Romero, Player has done just that. The Glover Park resident first recruited Player to do her wedding cake two years ago at the recommendation of a co-worker. Since then she uses him for any party she throws.

"He can take an idea and run with it and come up with something spectacular," crooned Romero. "He offers reasonable prices and high quality."

Romero particularly recalls the birthday cake Player customized to supplement her father's profession. Because Romero's father was a physicist, Player designed a cake based on the periodic table.

"I wanted to do something to really impress her guests," recalled Player, who laughed over the memory of having to Google to periodic table before making the cake.

To maintain the quality of the desserts he is known for, Player goes by what he calls a formula, but he adds that sometimes the best desserts are stumbled upon by accident. One of these accidents turned into one of his most demanded: a chocolate roasted banana mousse tower. This dessert was added to the menu at 21 Federal Restaurant, where the demand became so intensive that Player says he couldn't keep up with it.

Player enjoys the creative freedom that comes along with making desserts and making people happy. But he admits to having had doubts about being an entrepreneur.

Player plans to open his own shop in D.C. within the near future. He also has aspirations to publish a cookbook.

Phone: (301) 875-2268