Lutunji’s Palate & Bakery Café

Lutunji’s Palate is a proud Black-woman-owned, purpose-driven social business that specializes in providing scrumptious desserts to the people of the Twin Cities. It is known for its Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, Harriet’s Escape Peach Cobbler and The King's Coconut Cake Bites…just to name a few.

Impact is literally and figuratively baked into the company’s model as well. Lutunji’s Palate bakes with people and community in mind by partnering with a teen program, a young adults program, and a program for men returning to society after incarceration, teaching these community members about baking and how to run a business. Most importantly, Lutunji’s Palate offers these community members not only a place of employment, but a place to “life skill” together, to discover what they are good at and how to pursue their life purpose. Lutunji’s Palate further provides a space in Minneapolis for much needed community healing after the recent racial tensions and pandemic, and provides the Elliott Park neighborhood with a Black-woman-owned bakery and community gathering spot.

Venn’s PRI will assist Lutunji’s Palate in building out its own baking and commercial space, opening its café door in Elliot Park, and positioning itself for long-term success.