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OPENING SHOP — Marie Cleary is opening Muffin Topia in Oakfield on Valentine’s Day.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
OAKFIELD — Want to make an impression on your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day? Try succulent homemade goodies from Marie Cleary’s kitchen.
Cleary is opening “Muffin Topia” in Oakfield on Friday, Feb. 14.
“This weekend will be a sneak peek of what I have available,” said Cleary. “And, holidays at ‘Muffin Topia’ will always be one surprise after another, as each occasion will be filled with new designer muffins for each particular holiday. It will be a yummy adventure.”
“Muffin Topia” will offer baked goods such as specialty muffins, scrumptious scones, freshly made artisan breads, cupcakes, cookies, cakes, pies and more.
Last week, Cleary’s stainless steel industrial kitchen was inspected and approved for business.
Cleary, a first-time entrepreneur in The County, has given her baked goods as gifts, but now will officially be supplying her pleasing treats to the public.
“Muffin Topia took form recently as I tried to think of a fresh and new approach for opening an experience of adventure in the world of baked products,” explained Cleary. “Living in Oakfield affords the opportunity to expand local business and complete the dream of opening a bakery. I have been putting my baking formulas together for many years thus the need to move forward in order to share with others. The rewards from eating them are mainly pure satisfaction all on its own. Each one of these moist delicious muffins has its own identity to either sweetness or savory flavors, where the taste will definitely take you to another plane altogether. One taste and you will be hooked! No question!”
Cleary has been cooking since she was “knee high to a grasshopper.” Her parents are Canadian immigrants with a French background.
Through the years, Cleary worked in numerous food service fields, as well as the health field. Cleary schooled herself at the local community college in dietetics and culinary arts. She apprenticed under a Caribbean chef for several years, where she learned side-by-side how to incorporate liquors in her food dishes.
“I had a lot of exposure,” she said. “I learned international cooking. French food is my background, but I make a nice Italian and great Chinese.”
But, the food item that she especially prides herself in is her gourmet muffins, cheesecakes and other mouth-watering sweets.
“I have developed more than 200 artisan muffins that are made up of only fresh ingredients and handmade one by one,” she said. “You can taste the difference. Each one has been developed and tested many times over ‘til it sings to you.”
She has the County muffins namely Raspberry Loon, made with nothing less than freshly picked raspberries, the Kahlua Bear which is made of fresh coffee beans, chocolate, dried dates and nectarines soaked in Kahlua to infuse the fruit; Blueberry Basket and even a Lemonade Stand.
Cleary, who is also an author, will have the “Death by Artichoke” to commemorate her novel published in 2012.
“I also have a new line, which I am working on, to be unveiled just before Easter … stay tuned,” said Cleary. “If you are looking for a fantastic delicious adventure, then I suggest you make a trip over. You will see for yourself, why [my muffins] taste so good! It’s definitely worth the trip.”
“Muffin Topia” is open Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Special orders can be placed by calling 757-7086. Extended hours will be offered for Valentine’s Day weekend.
“My kitchen will be filled with wonderful succulent goodies including decadent brownies and the new introduction for the Sweet Seduction muffin, as well as others and special holiday scones … a treat not to be missed this weekend,” Cleary added.
To locate “Muffin Topia” take Exit 286 in Oakfield. From the south, turn right and go 1.7 miles and the bakery is located on the right, watch for the sign. From the north, exit on 286 and turn left going under the overpass 1.7 miles and the bakery is located on the right hand-side of the road. A sign will be visible along with balloons.
Cleary is the mother of two sons, who reside in the central Maine area. Besides her two hobbies, cooking and writing, she likes to spend time doing gardening. She is also working on another novel called “The Murderous Muffins.”
