By Cowgirl Candace | Photos by Ashah Photography
Her delectable pastry doors unlock to the public on Valentine’s Day. Culinary expert Lenise Leknes will serve signature sweet treats with a romantic, cultural twist. Treats With Lenise opens Friday, Feb. 14, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 53 N. Lee St., Suite C, in Forsyth. “Our first-time guests can expect heart cakes, red rose cupcakes, and heart-shaped macarons on Feb. 14,” said Leknes, 35. “The Treats With Lenise team is ready to reconnect with longtime customers and new ones at our brand-new location.” The bakery is only operating Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. “We want to make sure we’re offering unforgettable experiences each week,” said Leknes, “and developing an atmosphere where we’re flexible to host fun baking activities inside and outside the bakery weekdays. This schedule allows our team to offer space to surrounding businesses and families as rental space, too.”
In 2024, Monroe County Reporter named Treats With Lenise “Best Dessert” and “Best Donut/Pastry” in Forsyth. The 18-year pastry chef and Puerto Rican creative has been flirting with Southern confections topped with a Latin kiss since 2023 in the Middle Georgia town. Her pop-up bakery and social creations shared @treatswithlenise have helped build a network of devoted patrons across Central Georgia. Known for her plated desserts, traditional sponge cakes with Italian buttercream, French macarons, and cheesecakes galore, her storefront will include cinnamon rolls, gourmet cookies, brownies, and puff pastry creations. “When visitors come by for a dessert, I want them to leave with new bursts of unexpected joy with each bite,” Leknes said.
The seasoned pâtissière graduated from Johnson and Wales University with a pastry arts degree. Curious in the kitchen as a kid, she perpetually experimented with dishes that pulled from her home and heritage. Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in South Florida’s Hollywood Beach, her desserts marry island influences. Leknes’ Latin cuisines and pastries fuse savory and sweet delights. Caribbean-rich creations her grandmother and auntie taught her first. “The first dessert I made as a kid was arroz con leche (a Latin rice pudding),” the always-smiling chef said. “Then, I mastered empanadas stuffed with special seasoned ground beef.”
Today, she’s refreshing Deep South palettes with her in-demand delights in collaboration with outdoor brands, Georgia farmers, local artisans, and agricultural influencers. Throughout the year, Treats With Lenise also will provide private chef services, custom orders, and local pop-up events that complement outdoor culinary lifestyles across the Peach State. “I’m so looking forward to partnering in our surrounding communities,” Leknes said. “Georgia is agriculture. It’s also laden with outdoor adventure. We have so many creatives who contribute to farm-to-table experiences. I can’t wait to connect with more farming and outdoor professionals to develop baking classes, camping workshops, and mini travel retreats this year.”