Meet Catherine: the Netflix baking champion who won at just 19 and is now serving L.A.’s most mind-bending, crackable fruit illusion desserts on West 7th Street

Imagine biting into what looks exactly like a raw lemon, pear, or mango. At TUCHA in L.A., your eyes will definitely deceive you.

This incredible dessert shop on West 7th Street serves up mind-bending pastries encased in a hard, crackable shell.

Instead of a standard slice of cake, you get a highly interactive, artistic dessert experience.

From Netflix to L.A. bakery owner

The creative force behind the shop is owner Catherine. She uses a classic culinary technique known as ‘trompe l’oeil’ to create these entirely edible illusions.

Her journey into the pastry world started strong when she won the Netflix baking competition ‘Zumbo’s Just Desserts’ at just 19 years old. That television victory convinced her to pursue pastry as a full-time career.

While working in a busy commercial kitchen, Catherine operated an independent bakery on the side. She filmed her entire process for the internet, constantly experimenting with exciting new textures and bold flavors.

Cracking the edible shell

While the ‘trompe l’oeil’ style has been utilized by pastry chefs for years, Catherine notes that TUCHA is a local trailblazer.

They were the very first shop to use social media to bring the concept to a wider audience in Los Angeles.

The desserts here require a highly interactive approach. Customers must physically break through the ultra-realistic outer shell to reach the delicious different flavors hidden inside.

It is an incredibly fun and surprising experience from start to finish.

Building a lasting business

Catherine is deeply aware that trendy dessert businesses often experience a rapid rise followed by a sharp fall. Because of this, she is fiercely focused on creating a neighborhood shop that lasts a long time.

Her smart strategy relies on moving beyond the initial visual novelty of the desserts. Instead, the kitchen provides a consistently enjoyable, high-quality eating experience that keeps locals coming back for more.

Operating out of 2968 W 7th St, Ste 103, the shop prioritizes the interactive nature of its menu above all else.

The primary goal is for every single customer to experience the pure joy and fun of cracking open these fruit-shaped shells.