Julia Tokarz is the chef and creator behind East Side Cheesecakes, a woman-owned, cult-favorite Los Angeles bakery elevating America’s most nostalgic dessert through exceptional ingredients, bold flavors, and a radical belief in the power of joy.
A classically trained actor and lifelong storyteller, Julia approaches food the same way she approaches art: as a way to connect, surprise, and move people. What began as a pandemic passion project in her tiny apartment kitchen in 2020 has grown into a celebrated Los Angeles brand featured by the Food Network, the Los Angeles Times, and Los Angeles Magazine.
At the heart of every cake is East Side Cheesecakes’ signature 72-hour, house-cultured cream cheese. Made entirely from scratch with California dairy, it creates a cheesecake that is tangy, complex, and unmistakably its own. For Julia, cheesecake is an invitation to gather, share joy, and celebrate the everyday sweet magic we so often forget is there.