Rosemary and Rhubarb was started by Elizabeth Zuelke in 2019. It began as a creative outlet that helped relieve the stress from work. Elizabeth’s husband Erik has a family tradition around the winter holidays that includes baking hundreds of cookies. Three days straight of baking. While everyone was exhausted by the last day, Elizabeth was fueled by the excitement and sugar, envisioning herself doing this everyday. A Netflix special called “Zumbo’s Just Desserts” showcased a cast of hobby bakers who had separate day jobs and made Elizabeth realize she could turn her love of baking into a career. Those hobby bakers made masterpieces that inspired Elizabeth to leave her career based around working with children. The world events of 2020 allowed an easy transition to baking all day everyday. Thus began a string of experiments and taste testing that blossomed into what Rosemary and Rhubarb is today.

Rosemary and Rhubarb were ingredients often found in Elizabeth’s grandmother Nancy’s cooking and baking. Rosemary is Elizabeth’s favorite herb, and rhubarb reminds her of her “Lola’s”’ baking and garden. Every time she bakes, she is reminded of the memories of baking Christmas sugar cookies with her Lola and sisters and enjoying her Lola’s famous lemon bars. 

Rosemary and Rhubarb draws its colorful palette from Elizabeth’s Filipino and American heritage. Her mother has long been catering Filipino dishes to the Greater Boston community. The happiness her mother exudes after filling the bellies of everyone who enjoys her cooking inspires Elizabeth to do the same through her baking and caking. Elizabeth hopes that everyone enjoys her sweet creations.