GK Pastry, nestled with a welcoming leafy green wall, beckons customers into its sweet sanctuary. Originating from a mother’s kitchen endeavors for her children, it has blossomed into a thriving multi-location enterprise, with outlets in Palo Alto and Mountain View. Focusing on an array of delectable treats including cookies, jar cakes, and crepe cakes, the Musa family unveiled their Palo Alto establishment at 417 Park Blvd. in late 2023, with an unwavering commitment to utilizing organic, premium-grade ingredients.
The driving force behind GK Pastry’s success is co-owner Gulnoza Khayotenova, whose culinary journey commenced in Uzbekistan and flourished upon her relocation to the United States.
“We wanted something more unique. Something that would make us stand out a bit more compared to just regular cakes and croissants. If we didn’t have something unique like jar cakes we would never be able to get into the farmers markets,” explains Hasan Musa, store and social media manager at GK Pastry.
This venture is truly a family affair, with Khaytenova spearheading the baking operations, her son Hasan Musa assuming the roles of store and social media manager, her other son Osman Musa lending his expertise in the baking process, and her husband Khayrulla Musa providing invaluable support in both business management and baking.
“For more than 20 years she [Khaytenova] always loved baking,” Hasan reminisces. “My dad having a sweet tooth didn’t really help it, but rather, only intensified a love for baking.”
Following persistent encouragement from family members, Khaytenova acquiesced to sharing her culinary creations with the world.
“My mom loved baking and we as a family will do everything in our power to support her and this business as much as we can,” asserts Hasan Musa.
Embarking initially by retailing her signature jar cakes in grocery stores, Khaytenova’s confections gradually found their way to farmers’ markets, culminating in the establishment of GK Pastry’s inaugural brick-and-mortar outlet in Mountain View. The novelty of their offerings played a pivotal role in their burgeoning popularity.
“We wanted something more unique,” Hasan elaborates. “Something that would make us stand out a bit more compared to just regular cakes and croissants. If we didn’t have something unique like jar cakes we would never be able to get into the farmers markets.”
In addition to their distinctive pastry selection, GK Pastry prides itself on the utilization of premium-quality ingredients, a cornerstone of their brand identity.
“Using very good ingredients is also a very important part,” Hasan affirms. “So that’s why we only use natural [ingredients] and the best ingredients we can get our hands on.”
The Musa family’s unwavering dedication to their matriarch’s passion is evident in their collective efforts to foster the growth of GK Pastry.
“My mom loved baking and we as a family will do everything in our power to support her and this business as much as we can,” Hasan reiterates.
In the fusion of a profound love for baking and meticulously crafted pastries, GK Pastry emerges as a beacon of culinary excellence. What commenced as a familial pastime has evolved into a thriving enterprise, testament to the indomitable spirit and unwavering dedication of the Musa family.