Reza Mirzadeh and Maryam Menbari, owners of Marvel Cake, believe every dessert tells a story rooted in perseverance, pride and purpose. Originally from northern Iran, the couple built a successful life before immigrating to the United States in 2002 with their young son.
Starting over in a new country came with challenges. The family faced language barriers, financial hurdles and the uncertainty of rebuilding from scratch. Through determination and hard work, they transformed a simple gesture of love into a thriving business.
The journey began when Maryam baked a cake for Reza’s 40th birthday. Friends praised the dessert, and word quickly spread. What started in their home kitchen soon expanded into a small commercial space.
“It felt like the American dream,” Reza said. “We learned as we went, made mistakes and kept improving.”
Marvel Cake eventually became one of the Bay Area’s most popular bakeries, serving high-profile clients such as Google, Meta , Apple and ServiceNow. The brand gained national attention after a TikTok video featuring its Spiral Croissant went viral, drawing long lines that lasted for months.
Throughout the bakery’s growth, the couple remained committed to quality.
“Many businesses cut corners when times get tough,” they said. “We never did. People can taste the difference.”
Today, Marvel Cake employs more than 40 staff members and operates locations in Campbell, Palo Alto and Walnut Creek & going to be franchise soon.
Marvel Cake recently provided a variety of desserts for the opening celebration of the Sutter East Santa Clara Care Center. The spread featured macaroons, cupcakes, cakes and cookies, each decorated with the Sutter Health logo. The personalized detail added a sense of warmth and connection that guests could see and feel with every bite.
Maryam’s dedication to excellence extends beyond pastries. For their family, health care is deeply personal, and finding a provider that reflects their values has been essential.
“When I visit Sutter Health, I feel the same way I want my customers to feel when they walk into Marvel Cake,” Reza said. “The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. The staff truly care.”
They recalled visiting Sutter during stressful times and said the compassionate care and calming environment made a lasting impact.
“They helped me immediately,” Reza said. “The staff were attentive, the doctors were responsive and I felt seen.”
The couple sees a shared philosophy between their bakery and Sutter Health: both aim to provide comfort, connection and care that leave a lasting impression.
“When someone enjoys one of our desserts, I want them to feel joy,” they said. “That’s the same feeling my family experiences at Sutter. It’s all about making people feel good, inside and out.”
