Today we’d like to introduce you to Batur “Bart” Corabatir.
Hi Bart, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Turkey/Istanbul, studied gastronomy and culinary arts. Trained at a 3-Michelin-star restaurant in Modena, Italy. After moving to Orange County, I worked in fine dining for a celebrity chef before taking a leap and opening my own bakery. The early years were a grind, one customer at a time but that hustle built a loyal following. Today, with Patty’s Cakes and Desserts joining our family, we’re raising the bar and shaping the future of Orange County’s bakery scene. Patty’s is a legendary bakery, and I’m proud to be the new proprietor. It has incredible brand awareness and a loyal following, and I look forward to continuing to build on that, serving Patty’s customers while maintaining our top-quality products and exceptional customer service.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not smooth. I was just in my 20’s when I started Simply Cakes and Cupcakes with no investors and no safety net. I learned most things the hard way long days, tiny orders, and plenty of moments wondering if we’d make it. But those challenges built me stronger and gave me priceless experience. What’s kept me going is my love for baking and the joy it brings, especially seeing kids’ faces light up for their birthday cakes. Some customers even tear up when they see how beautiful their cake turned out. In January 2026 we’ll celebrate our 10th anniversary, and I’m so grateful for our amazing customers and employees who’ve supported us through the years.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
“What do I do? Honestly… pretty much everything! I bake and decorate cakes and cupcakes, clean the floors, handle plumbing and electrical issues, maintain our delivery fleet, fix whatever breaks, take orders, deliver cakes, throw out the trash, wash dishes, manage payroll, HR… the list goes on.
I work 10-12 hours a day, almost 7 days a week, drive about 80-100 miles a day, my last day off was about 8 weeks ago. I never complain, I love what I do and enjoy doing it. Over the years, I’ve learned how to keep the passion alive without burning out.
What sets me apart? I genuinely care about every cake, every cupcake and every customer. From kids’ reactions on their birthday to seeing customers tear up over how beautiful their cake turned out, those moments are why I do it. I’m proud of building something from the ground up, doing it all myself when needed, and creating a team and business that people love.”
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Mission Viejo is such a special place. It’s safe, beautiful, and incredibly supportive, there’s really nothing I dislike about it! It’s one of the best and safest cities in Orange County, and I’m proud to be part of this community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.simplythecupcake.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycakesandcupcakes/
- Other: https://www.pattys-cakes.com
