Woman's cooking goes to the dogs

photo courtesy of Laura Aivaz

Laura Aivaz's pastry prowess has placed West Hartford's Three Dog Bakery on the national culinary map.

Aivaz, 41, has worked as a pastry chef for nine years at the Three Dog Bakery, which offers baked goods and merchandise such as collars and clothing for dogs. A Plainville resident, she and her family have lived in town for 11 years nearby her many of her husband's relatives.

Although the bakery has become a well known shopping destination within West Hartford Center, it was only recently that the bakery gained nationwide attention when Stonehouse Production Company contacted Three Dog owner Roger Howard last fall.

The company wanted to feature Three Dog Bakery on a segment for well-known television personality Rachael Ray's "Feed Your Pet" special.

Howard said he was thrilled at the idea, which soon led a production crew to spend a full day of taping at the Farmington Avenue shop.

As the shop's most senior pastry chef, Aivaz starred on the show, demonstrating her baking skills for Three Dog's first national forum.

"It was a lot of fun seeing how they actually taped a show," Aivaz said. "I really enjoyed it."

The show, set to air on Saturday, March 8, at 9 p.m., on the Food Network, focuses on the doggy desserts and type of clientele frequenting the shop.

"A lot of people who come in are just curious because they've heard about us from a friend," Aivaz said. "But most of our customers are dog owners, and our most popular items are birthday cakes - they're bone-shaped and they come in all sizes."

All of the shop's delicacies are made with human-grade ingredients, said Aivaz, which means all doggy desserts can be consumed by people. Much of the treats are sweetened with honey instead of sugar, for example, making desserts like the ever- popular "pup cakes," healthy for canine connoisseurs.

Aivaz said baking for pets is continuing a family tradition that was begun by her mother who loved dogs. Taping the show was just one more fun element to a job she has come to love. "I love doing what I do," the mother of two said. "What more fun could you have at your job?"

Although she is eagerly anticipating the show's airing, Aivaz admits her 8-year-old daughter - Rachael Ray fan - is the most excited about her mom's debut. "She loves Rachael Ray, so we'll definitely be watching it together that night," Aivaz said. She anticipates that their newly adopted stray dog will be nearby too.

Howard said he is also eager to view the show, which he hopes will increase the ever-growing success of his decade-old bakery.

"I can't wait to see it," Howard said. "Laura did such a wonderful job. She does wonderful work and has such a lovely personality she was just perfect for the show."