Local Baker is a Standout Among the Rotary Auction Cake Bakers

by Community organization representative 
| February 3, 2025

Each year, talented bakers in Florence and surrounding areas donate their time and considerable talents to create over 30 custom-designed cakes for Rotary’s annual charity auction. These fabulous cakes often spark bidding wars, and the bakers who make them are responsible for a significant amount of scholarship funds raised during each Rotary auction.

One of Rotary’s standout bakers is Karena Rosskopf, the owner and chief baker at Sweet Magnolia Bakery & Café in Old Town Florence. Karena has been with Sweet Magnolia for over 16 years and has been a Florence resident for nearly 20. Karena creates multiple designer cakes for Rotary’s annual auction. In fact, Rotary estimates that, over the years, Karena’s confectionary contributions to Rotary’s annual auctions have generated over $4,500.00 for its scholarship program.

Karena received her culinary arts training at Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale, Arizona. She learned the craft of baking from two acclaimed pastry chefs who “took her under their wing” while working at the exclusive Phoenician Resort in Phoenix. Her cakes have been featured at the Waterfront Depot for 19 years, making them both famous and a favorite offering locally. Karena also crafts custom baked treats at her customers’ request for special events and holidays. In addition to baked goods, Sweet Magnolia Bakery & Café also features omelets, light lunch items and soups. All items are made in-house from scratch with quality ingredients. In addition to some seating inside, a charming entry courtyard has additional seating, weather permitting.

Sweet Magnolia is located in Old Town at 182 Laurel Street, Florence, where there are two reserved parking spaces right next to the shop; you can call or text your orders to (541) 997-2959.

For more information on the 65th Annual Rotary Club of Florence Auction being held on March 8, 2025, please visit theflorencerotary.org.

Caption: Selection of cakes at the 2024 Florence Rotary Auction, including those provided by Karena Rosskopf of Sweet Magnolia. Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of Florence and Crystal Farnsworth.

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