Sweet Marie’s moves beyond desserts

LIHU‘E — Sweet Marie’s, opening as a gluten-free bakery, now offers more than dessert.

From her small space in Kapa‘a, Marie Cassel moved Sweet Marie’s to Lihu‘e where she anchors a spot next to the Lihu‘e Theater senior housing project and has expanded her offerings from just dessert and baked goods to include breakfast, lunch and even catering.

Friday, Cassel and her staff opened up the Lihu‘e shop to Ed Case, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, where he could host voters interested in listening to his platform and qualifications.

Sweet Marie’s is available for private parties, functions, events and buyouts, states its website. Arrangements can be made by calling Desiree Duclayan-Parsonson, Sweet Marie’s director of sales and marketing and event planning at 635-8229.

The Sweet Marie’s macaroons, available plain or with chocolate chips were available Friday, along with an oatmeal cookie with coconut. Both proved to be popular among the gathering.

In addition to the dessert offerings, Cassel and her staff unveiled a hearty offering of gluten-free food including a colorful Roasted Bell Peppers with Asparagus, a Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Polenta, Brie with Apples, Walnuts, Cinammon and Cucumbers, a Stuffed Mushroom with Spinach, Onions and Turkey, and a Macadamia Nut Crusted Chicken Breast with a Honey Mustard Lilikoi Dipping Sauce.

“This is made with freshly picked lilikoi,” Cassel said. “I still have two more boxes back in the kitchen.”

The Sweet Marie’s website has also grown along with the offerings and capabilities of the gluten-free eatery. The website now has links to bakery products, wedding cakes and sample menus for special orders.

Visit www.sweetmarieskauai.com or call 823-0227 for more information.

• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.