Cheesecake Funk: How a Chance Encounter with Prince Sparked a Midwest Culinary Phenomenon
Tucked away in the quiet, scenic town of Excelsior, Minnesota, roughly 20 miles southwest of downtown Minneapolis, lies a destination that has become an unlikely pilgrimage site for music historians and dessert enthusiasts alike. Among the everyday storefronts of a nondescript strip mall—nestled between a local taqueria, a nail salon, and a pet groomer—sits Cheesecake Funk. While the name might seem quirky to the uninitiated, it serves as a direct, affectionate nod to one of the most influential figures in modern music history: Prince. The bakery, which officially opened its doors in September 2025, has rapidly ascended to become one of the most talked-about culinary establishments in the Midwest, blending the legacy of the "Purple Yoda" with the precision of a lifelong artisan baker.
The Origins of a Culinary Vision
The journey of Cheesecake Funk is rooted in the perseverance of owner Vanessa Drews, a single mother of two who spent years balancing the demands of a high-pressure legal career with her passion for baking. In 2002, while working as a senior paralegal, Drews began refining what would become her signature cheesecake. Her methodology was rooted in experimentation, moving away from standard, mass-produced recipes to focus on nuanced textures and flavor profiles.
Her primary innovation—a secret crust featuring a precise blend of cinnamon and a significant portion of brown butter—would eventually become the foundation of her brand. This crust provides the essential, crispy contrast to her dense, creamy fillings, a combination that has garnered widespread acclaim. For years, this endeavor was strictly a hobby, shared among family and friends during holidays and personal gatherings, yet the consistent positive feedback provided the necessary encouragement for Drews to continue iterating on her craft.
A Legacy Intertwined with Paisley Park
The connection between Drews and the late global icon Prince began in 2013. During that period, Drews supplemented her income by working part-time in merchandise sales at Paisley Park, Prince’s legendary home and studio complex in Chanhassen, Minnesota. The facility frequently hosted open-to-the-public parties and events, drawing visitors from across the globe.
Observing the diverse array of musicians, staff, and international travelers passing through the complex, Drews felt a desire to extend a gesture of Midwestern hospitality. She began leaving her homemade cheesecakes in the communal breakroom refrigerator, accompanied by simple, welcoming notes. It was a modest act that would soon gain the attention of the artist himself.
The turning point occurred when Drews noticed her cheesecakes disappearing with remarkable efficiency. Her curiosity was soon answered via social media; an account managed by Prince shared a meme—depicting two monkeys attempting to revive a third with the caption, "The moment you find out somebody ate the last piece of Vanessa’s cheesecake." For Drews, the realization that her work had been noticed and appreciated by the artist was a transformative moment.
The Birth of the "Cheesecake Funk" Brand
Following the initial acknowledgment, Prince integrated Drews’ creations into the culture of Paisley Park. He began referring to her desserts as "cheesecake funk," a moniker he would frequently include on invitations to private events, often styling it as a playful command: "HELPYOSELFTOSOMECHEESECAKEFUNK."
This endorsement challenged the common, and perhaps inaccurate, public perception that Prince was a strictly rigid vegan. While he was known for his disciplined lifestyle and specific dietary preferences, his enthusiasm for Drews’ dairy-rich, indulgent cheesecakes demonstrated a more nuanced reality regarding his personal culinary tastes. The repeated, informal interactions—where Prince would occasionally approach Drews with his signature smirk to inquire, "What’s for dessert, Vanessa?"—solidified a working relationship that provided Drews with a rare, high-level stamp of approval.
Scaling the Operation: From Hobby to Commercial Success
By 2019, the demand for Drews’ products had outgrown her home kitchen capabilities. The professional pivot occurred when a mutual acquaintance introduced her work to Kam Talebi, the founder and CEO of Kaskaid Hospitality. As a leader of a firm overseeing 18 restaurants, including the regional chain Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar, Talebi recognized the commercial potential in Drews’ product.
The integration into the Crave menu served as a massive stress test for her production capabilities. Initially launching at the Eden Prairie location, the positive customer reception led to an immediate expansion across all eight of the chain’s Twin Cities locations. The transition from a home-based hobbyist to a commercial supplier required significant capital investment. Drews made the strategic decision to utilize funds from her 401(k) to acquire professional-grade baking equipment and secure a commercial kitchen space, marking the official transition from a side hustle to a full-scale business operation.
The Bakery Today: A Cultural Hub
Since the official opening of the brick-and-mortar Cheesecake Funk location in Excelsior, the bakery has become more than just a place to purchase dessert. It is a dual-purpose space: a functional high-end bakery and a de facto museum honoring the artistic spirit of Prince. The interior, adorned with purple walls and iconic imagery of the superstar, draws a specific demographic of fans who, while visiting the nearby Paisley Park, view the bakery as an essential stop on their itinerary.
Drews continues to innovate her menu, offering over 17 distinct, rotating flavors. A notable success story is the lingonberry cheesecake, introduced as a summer seasonal item. Given Minnesota’s deep historical ties to Scandinavian culture, the tart, refreshing profile of the berry resonated with the local palate to such an extent that it has been promoted to a permanent fixture on the menu. As the seasons shift, the bakery pivots to incorporate warmer, comfort-focused flavors, such as apple-cinnamon, ensuring repeat business from a loyal customer base.
Economic and Cultural Impact
The success of Cheesecake Funk highlights a broader trend in the regional food industry: the intersection of local celebrity culture with high-quality, artisanal production. By leveraging the association with Prince, Drews has effectively established a brand that holds international appeal. Reports from the bakery indicate a consistent stream of international visitors, with patrons from countries such as Germany and the Netherlands citing the Prince connection as their primary motivation for visiting.
Beyond the marketing, the bakery’s operational footprint has expanded significantly. Cheesecake Funk products are now available at prominent Twin Cities establishments, including Union Rooftop, Brit’s Pub, Butcher’s Table, and Wood + Paddle. This wholesale distribution strategy has allowed the brand to maintain visibility in the competitive Minneapolis hospitality landscape while keeping the Excelsior shop as the flagship experience.
Analytical Perspective on Brand Sustainability
From a business analysis standpoint, the trajectory of Cheesecake Funk serves as a case study in organic brand building. While the association with a global icon provided the initial visibility, the sustainability of the enterprise has relied on the quality of the product and the logistical management of the supply chain. The transition from a hotel kitchen to a dedicated storefront represents a maturity in the business model that mitigates the risks often associated with celebrity-linked ventures.
The decision to maintain the "Cheesecake Funk" name—despite the passing of Prince nearly a decade ago—serves as an ongoing homage rather than a static memorial. It keeps the artist’s spirit present in a way that is integrated into the daily lives of Minnesotans. For Vanessa Drews, the endeavor remains deeply personal. Reflecting on the journey from a law office desk to the helm of a thriving bakery, she remains grounded by the support she received during the formative years of her career.
"I’m so thankful to him," Drews stated in a recent interview. "Prince is like the gift that keeps on giving."
As the business looks toward the future, the challenge will be to balance the artisanal nature of the product with the scaling demands of the restaurant industry. However, given the established distribution network and the continued interest from international travelers, Cheesecake Funk appears well-positioned to remain a staple of the Minnesota culinary scene for years to come. The bakery stands as a testament to the fact that, in the right hands, a simple recipe can evolve into a lasting cultural legacy, connecting a local community to the memory of an international icon through the shared experience of exceptional food.
