Starting a business is tough. Yet, the Rockaway peninsula offers a unique environment that nurtures entrepreneurial dreams. Living here gives you the serenity of the beach and the energy of the city—a perfect blend for creativity and innovation.
The Perfect Balance of Rockaway
“Living by the serenity of Rockaway’s beach and having access to the industrious city is such a beautiful combination to create balance in entrepreneurship,” says Dana Humphrey, entrepreneur, yoga teacher, professor, and author. As a co-founder of Rockaway Creates, she knows how crucial the local vibe is. “Walking on the boardwalk and feeling the salty air helps me to be more mindful and present, which allows for new ideas and is an ideal recipe for creativity, which I find necessary as a business owner.”
Love, Marianne: A Culinary Gem
Marianne Bertini, founder of Love, Marianne, echoes this sentiment. “Rockaway is a community that supports culinary ventures,” she says. “It’s a very diverse community. People here are willing to try new things. You can experiment and thrive here!”
A Gluten-Free Culinary Venture
Bertini, an Arverne resident, launched her gluten-free culinary business to great acclaim. Love, Marianne offers a variety of delicious cakes, sweets, and vegetable dishes, all made fresh to order. With creative names like Brown Buttered Brownies, Salted Caramel Bites, and “18 Carat” Cake, her offerings are as fun as they are tasty.
The Unique Selling Point: Gluten-Free Goodness
What sets Love, Marianne apart is its commitment to being gluten-free. “We never know when our allergies or tolerances will flare up,” Bertini explains. “It’s amazing what has gluten in it—salad dressings, sauces, soy sauce.”
Bertini’s journey into gluten-free cooking began five years ago when she experienced severe stomach issues. At first, she thought it was a peanut allergy, but soon discovered it was gluten. “It takes patience and practice to go gluten-free,” she says. “But my home, my baking, is gluten-free.”
Catering with a Personal Touch
Bertini also offers catering services for events ranging from small gatherings to larger parties. “I do everything—I’m the server, the chef, the cleanup, so they can enjoy their party!”
A Diverse Culinary Background
Bertini’s extensive background in the culinary world includes working for Walmart, the largest retailer in the world. “I learned a lot about how to market and present things,” she says. Her degree in marketing and years in hospitality, bars, hotels, and restaurants have honed her business acumen.
From Early Cooking Adventures to Business Owner
Cooking has always been a part of Bertini’s life. A Facebook photo shows a young Marianne standing at a Kenner Easy-Bake oven, waiting for her creations to cook under a 100-watt light bulb.
In the 1980s, she cooked on a dive boat in the Caribbean. “We’d take people out for a week. It’s not like you could run out to Stop and Shop. If you didn’t have it on your boat, you didn’t have it.” One of her go-to recipes was the “18 Carrot” cake, which she still makes today. It’s featured on the menu at Bungalow Bar, along with her other desserts.
The Science of Gluten-Free Baking
Creating gluten-free dishes requires ingenuity. For her Caribbean Rum cake recipe, she uses King Arthur’s gluten-free flour, a mix of rice flour, tapioca flour, and xanthan gum. “It’s the gluten in wheat that makes things stick together,” she explains. Bertini enjoys the challenge of adapting recipes to be gluten-free. “There’s a lot of math involved,” she says.
Feeding the Community with Love
Since retiring, Bertini has channelled her skills into Love, Marianne. She also began feeding those in need, inspired by her parents who lived through the Great Depression. Each container she prepared was labelled with “Love, Marianne,” a name that stuck.
Quality and Affordability
“I want to offer really great stuff, and not break the bank,” Bertini says. She aims to provide affordable gluten-free options, unlike the expensive alternatives found elsewhere.
Continuous Improvement and Community Support
“Every day I learn a better way to do something,” she says, like using extra boxes to transport cakes without smudging. “My name is on my business, so I ensure my products are the best they can be.”
Bertini also values feedback from her customers. “The NY Dippers, who plunge into Rockaway’s ocean year-round, are my best tasters.” She constantly tests and refines her offerings based on their feedback.
Future Plans
“My goal is to find a small place where I can be commercial, a place to bake,” Bertini says. “I don’t want to open a bakery, just a space with a commercial oven and coolers where I can store my products.”
A Passion for People
“I love taking care of people. I love feeding people,” Bertini says. And every label is still signed “Love, Marianne.”
Connect with Love, Marianne
You can find Love, Marianne on Facebook, visit www.lovemarianne.com, call 607-745-5883, or email [email protected].
