Lauren Ko is a self-taught baker from Seattle, Washington that describes herself as “more an artist and designer than a baker.”
Lauren, 31, found herself becoming a viral sensation after she started posting photos of her intricately designed geometric pies on her Instagram page.
Lauren was previously working 56 hours a week as an executive assistant in higher education, but she has become so successful that she has quit her job to focus on baking full-time. Her colorful, intricately designed pies defy convention and have captured the attention of people all over the world.
“Pies are a very warm, traditional, nostalgic kind of food, but to see it done in a modern and unique way is what makes them so appealing,” Lauren said.
“I like to say inspiration is everywhere,” she continued, adding that she is often inspired by things like lawn chairs, bathroom floors, and storm drains.
Believe it or not, Lauren is completely self-taught and did not make her first pie until the fall of 2016. She started her Instagram page in August of 2017, and started gathering a following as soon as she started posting photos of her pies.
“A couple of weeks later I had something like 4,000 followers,” said Lauren, who now has over 250,000 followers.
Lauren said that she comes from a “family of phenomenal eaters,” having a lot of “early memories of being in the kitchen.”
“They’re super excited to just see my name and my recognition out there,” Lauren said of her family. “I’m just a regular person and they know that best, so it’s all been a welcome surprise to them.”
We can’t wait the creations that Lauren will put forth in the future!
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