She began to study cupcakes in the late 2000s, contributing to the Los Angeles Times and other print and electronic media. Her Washington Post story, “The psychology of cupcakes,” won the 2013 Association of Food Journalists award for Best Newspaper Food Feature. She continues her advanced cupcakology on the East Coast, where she also studies dessert trends such as Cronut-inspired hybrids and gourmet doughnuts.