Julia Tokarz and Gregory Lay are the chefs and creators behind East Side Cheesecakes, a cult-favorite LA-based bakery that elevates America’s most nostalgic dessert with house-cultured cream cheese and a radical belief in the power of joy. Both classically trained actors and lifelong storytellers, Julia and Greg approach food the same way they approach art – as a way to connect, to surprise, and to move people.
What started as a pandemic passion project in their tiny apartment kitchen in 2020 has since become a cult favorite, featured in Los Angeles Magazine, Food Network, & the Los Angeles Times. Often celebrated for its bold flavors, visual whimsy, and unapologetically emotional core.
At the heart of every cake is its secret ingredient: a 72-hour, house-cultured cream cheese. Made entirely from scratch, it’s tangy, complex, and alive. Cream cheese is not just an ingredient- it’s the heart of it all in a time when the world feels more divided than ever, Julia and Greg continue to do what they love most: create something that brings us together. Their cheesecakes aren’t just dessert – they call us to gather, share joy, and celebrate the everyday sweet magic we so often forget is there.