who are we?
Saranghae (사랑해) means "I love you" in Korean -- and that's what we want to spread with our treats! All of our desserts are homemade with love, baked fresh, and 100% of our profits go towards serving the most vulnerable in the Madison community. We started in 2020 with a focus on the most urgent needs, partnering with UNICEF to provide funding and relief for communities of color impacted by COVID-19. Beginning in 2021, we are partnering with Nehemiah Center for Urban Development, an organization that fights racism in the Madison community. In an effort to recognize the racial inequalities in our society, our vision is to support the mental health of communities of color.
meet the bakers
Chloe Song
School: West High School
Why did you join saranghae?
I love baking little treats for others with friends!
What do you most want to bake?
I think it would be super fun to make a pumpkin spice dessert.
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What do you do outside school?
I like to read, eat, at times dance, and also play the piano!
What are you most excited to do in saranghae this year?
I am excited to bake holiday desserts.
Evan Blonien
School: West High School
What do you most want to bake?
Lemon drop cookies.
What do you do outside school?
I enjoy doing soccer, track, and DECA at my school
Molly Ryan
School: West High School
1. Why did you join saranghae?
I’ve joined saranghae because I really like baking and I think it’ll be good to get experience with working with others!
2. What do you most want to bake?
This year i’m excited to bake all the different cookies as well as learn new recipes!
3. What do you do outside school?
Outside of school I really enjoy hanging out with my friends and playing tennis.
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4. What is your favourite show?
My favorite show that I’ve watched would have to be greys anatomy or jane the virgin.
5. What are you most excited to do in saranghae this year?
This year in saranghae I’m very excited to learn more about baking as well as getting to know the baking team!
meet the founders
Abby Lin
School: Harvard
1. Why did you start Saranghae Desserts? I've always wanted to do something about the racial inequality in my community and to start a business that would bring joy to people's faces. So, I connected both of these passions by starting Saranghae Desserts! As a Korean-Taiwanese American, I'm also aware that Asians are often not as involved in racial conversations. I hope that through this business, I can set an example for my community. I'm especially excited about the new partnership we are forming with the Nehemiah Center.
2. What is your favorite dessert to eat? My favorite dessert is definitely banana bread.
3. What is your favorite dessert to make? My favorite dessert to make is any type of cookie (especially our white chocolate chai cookies)!Â
4. What is your favorite cooking show? My favorite cooking show is either The Great British Baking Show or Masterchef Junior.
5. What is your least favorite thing to bake? Macarons, because there is so much that can go wrong!
Felicia Zheng
School: Yale
1. Why did you start Saranghae Desserts? Because helping others makes our world a little better. Because I want to give back to my community. And a little because I just really like baking :)
2. What is your favorite dessert to eat? Cinnamon rolls and apple babka; I'm a big fan of spices.Â
3. What is your favorite dessert to make? I love working with the dough for cinnamon raisin twists—it's just so soft!
4. What is your favorite cooking show? My favorite cooking show is Nailed It! Baking isn't always precise or even successful; sometimes it's messy, improvised, and delicious nonetheless.
5. What is the most difficult dessert to make, in your opinion? I enjoy experimentation, so for me, the most difficult dessert is the next new recipe I'm trying!
Christy Zheng
School: Harvard
1. Why did you start Saranghae Desserts? I wanted to make a positive impact on our community and in the world while doing something that I love.
2. What is your favorite dessert to eat? My favorite dessert is chocolate chip cookies.
3. What is your favorite dessert to make? My favorite dessert to make is meringue cookies.
4. What is your favorite cooking show? My favorite cooking show is Masterchef.
5. What is the most difficult dessert to make, in your opinion? Cream puffs, because the choux pastry can be finicky.