Meet the Baker
Hi! I'm Leanna - a wife, mama, and life-long sweets lover. As much as I love cake, my husband says I never cut myself a big enough slice. So choosing rather to "pick" from his dessert plate, I fondly earned the title he gave me, “The Crumb Picker.”
And so begins the story of The Crumb Picker, Inc., established in June 2020.
From an early age, baking has always brought me joy. With a long heritage of family who served homemade traditions from their kitchen, I recognized the time was perfect to bridge the old with the new.
My great, great grandfather, Wilhelm, owned a family restaurant/bakery in Brooklyn, NY in the early 1900s. It was his son, my great grandfather, William Maier, who later became a chef at the famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.
My great great grandfather, Wilhelm, and his wife, Sophie, my great great grandmother, along with other family members, in front of their bakery in Brooklyn in the early 1900s.
Motivated by memories of special desserts with family and a desire to be around for my children, New York style crumb cake and other confectionary delights were perfected in my little kitchen in Farmingdale, NY. In the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, The Crumb Picker, Inc. was established. Since that time, thousands of Long Islanders have flocked from points East and West to support my growing small business.
So to everyone who has enjoyed eating and sharing with others the best homemade crumb cakes, chocolate chip cookies, and other specialty desserts, thank you! Your ongoing support is making a mother's dream, to pursue her passion and be present for her family, a reality.