Belmont resident launches coffee cake business and artisan market

Belmont resident James Reid has launched Rustic Nosh, a cottage food business centered on recreating his mother’s 1969 almond coffee cake recipe. The recipe, originally created by Nanci “Gran” Reid, features a butter-based yellow cake with almond syrup, powdered sugar, and a thick brown sugar crumb.

Reid, a former documentarian, has slightly modified the original recipe to achieve a moister texture. Customers can pre-order the cakes for pickup at Ladera Garden & Gifts on Saturday mornings or arrange delivery to residents on the Peninsula.

In addition to his baking business, Reid has been organizing an Artisan Garden Market at Ladera Garden & Gifts since April. Held on the third Saturday of each month, the market provides a platform for Peninsula-based small artisan food makers and curators who do not have permanent storefronts.