Born and raised in San Diego, Pao grew up around spaces where food was its own love language.

Pao’s first experience in the kitchen began in admiration of watching her mom, Claudia, bake cakes for Pao, her three siblings, her dad, and family friends. Inspired by her mom’s hospitality, Pao wanted to share joy and make her community feel special in the ways she knew best - baking. 

At age 19, Pao enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena for Baking & Pastry Arts and fully immersed herself into the rigor and craft of what she loved most in hopes of being able to open her own business one day.

Upon returning to Southern California, she worked in local San Diego restaurants where she learned the trade from cooks, chefs, and management teams. Pao expanded her skill sets and passion for baking through her experiences as a hostess, line cook, pastry cook, sous chef, and most formerly, executive pastry chef. 

Pao was persistent in her dreams and alongside her jobs, created Paola Bakes in 2015 to celebrate the wins and milestones of her community. Though the path towards sweet sweet goodness was not linear, she continuously found ways to stay true to her values of empowerment and authenticity wherever she went. 

For the past ten years, Pao has built and cultivated community both in and out of the kitchen. With the debut of her flagship location for Mielimon Bakery, Pao hopes to uplift the San Diego baking and hospitality community. Most importantly, she hopes to continue spreading joy and honoring all your celebrations.

Welcome to the hive, we hope you stay a while!