We were lucky to catch up with Melody Hu recently and have shared our conversation below.

Melody, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

At Sweet Diplomacy, our mission is to create inclusive, gluten-free, and special diet-friendly baked goods that bring people together, regardless of dietary restrictions. This mission is deeply personal to me, having lived in 12 cities across 4 countries on 3 continents and traveled to over 30 countries, I’ve experienced the power of food as a universal language that transcends cultural barriers. However, I noticed that individuals with dietary restrictions often felt excluded from communal dining experiences. This realization inspired me to establish Sweet Diplomacy, a bakery dedicated to inclusivity and culinary innovation.

Our mission is meaningful because it addresses a gap in the culinary world, ensuring that everyone, regardless of dietary needs, can partake in the joy of delicious baked goods. By offering a diverse range of gluten-free and special diet-friendly treats, we aim to foster a sense of community and belonging, making every customer feel valued and included.

Through Sweet Diplomacy, I strive to transform dietary limitations into opportunities for creativity and connection, proving that with a little innovation, we can make the world a more inclusive and delicious place. We believe that “Delicious Knows No Borders”.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Melody Hu, the founder and creative force behind Sweet Diplomacy, a gluten-free and special diet-focused bakery that ships nationwide in the U.S.. My journey into the culinary world was quite unexpected. I grew up in Taiwan and California, later pursued my graduate studies and career in France, before working around the world and finally moving back to the U.S. and started Sweet Diplomacy after starting my family.

I worked in the luxury marketing business for almost a decade before embracing my love for food and starting Sweet Diplomacy. In 2017, I started baking American cupcakes and French madeleines with Asian “mochi” sweet rice flour, infusing them with exotic flavors, and started selling them at local pop-ups and coffee shops. These fusion baked goods were delicious and 100% gluten-free and the flavors and ingredients reflected the multicultural start of the Sweet Diplomacy journey. Since then, I started receiving requests to make my baked goods suit other special diets, and I developed a passion to crack the chemistry codes of special diet baking to answer the calls of my customers.

I believe that everyone, regardless of dietary limitations, deserves to enjoy delicious baked goods. By focusing on allergen-conscious recipes, I aim to unite people through the universal joy of food. One of our proudest achievements is the positive impact we’ve had on our community. We’ve received heartfelt messages from customers expressing gratitude for providing treats they can enjoy without worry. These moments affirm our mission and inspire us to continue innovating.

In essence, Sweet Diplomacy is more than just a bakery; it’s a celebration of inclusivity, creativity, and the belief that delicious knows no borders.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Resilience has been at the heart of my journey with Sweet Diplomacy, and one of the biggest tests came in the form of the pandemic. I had just opened my storefront when COVID-19 hit, and almost overnight, everything was at risk of collapsing. Foot traffic vanished, in-person events were canceled, and uncertainty loomed. It was a make-or-break moment.

Amid the chaos, customers began reaching out, asking if we could ship our special diet-friendly baked goods. Their encouragement planted the seed for what would later become our nationwide shipping operation. With their support, we reopened in May 2020, adapting our business to the changing world while continuing to serve our Bay Area community with our handcrafted treats.

Then, on December 30, 2021, another challenge arrived—the Marshall Fire, the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history, swept through Louisville, where our commercial bakery for future online operations was still under construction. As the fire raged, I didn’t know if I would have anything left to come back to. Miraculously, the facility survived, but it was a stark reminder of how fragile everything can be.

Beyond these external challenges, I’ve also had to face an industry-wide bias—the misconception that gluten-free and special diet-friendly baked goods can’t be as indulgent as traditional ones. There were skeptics, and moments of self-doubt, but I refused to compromise on my vision. I spent years perfecting my recipes, pushing the boundaries of allergen-friendly baking, and proving that dietary restrictions should never mean sacrificing taste or joy.

Through every challenge, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just about survival—it’s about adapting, innovating, and staying true to the mission of bringing people together through inclusive flavors.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

We keep in touch with our clients and foster brand loyalty through The Diplomatic Box, our monthly subscription that transforms baked goods into a global adventure.

Each month, we craft a selection of gluten-free and vegan treats, inspired by world flavors and my own personal journey—from my childhood in Taiwan to my years living in France, exploring pâtisseries and local markets. Every box includes a special travel postcard, sharing the story behind the flavors and the cultural inspirations that shaped them, making each bite feel like part of a larger journey.

At its heart, Sweet Diplomacy isn’t just about food—it’s about connection. Through The Diplomatic Box, I am living my dream—taking people on a magic carpet ride to explore cultures and food.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sweetdiplomacy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetdiplomacyco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetdiplomacyco
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sweetdiplomacy
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sweetdiplomacy

Image Credits

All pictures: Sweet Diplomacy