XO desserts | Our Story
A Family Story. A Love for Cheesecake. A Reason to Do Things Differently.
XO desserts started in 2020 as EXTRAordinary Cheesecakes, a family-owned business built around a love for authentic New York-style cheesecake and the belief that gluten-free desserts shouldn't mean sacrificing flavor or quality.
Where It All Began
Founder Jack Feist grew up loving New York-style cheesecake and wanted to bring that same experience to Wichita. But there was an important difference. His daughter Katelyn had been diagnosed with celiac disease at age 11, so making cheesecake she could safely enjoy was a priority from the beginning.
The goal wasn't to make a good *gluten-free* cheesecake. It was to make a great cheesecake that just happened to be gluten-free.
From EXTRAordinary Cheesecakes to XO desserts
What began in 2020 as EXTRAordinary Cheesecakes grew into a business supplying cheesecakes to local restaurants and cafés. Eventually, the opportunity came to bring those desserts directly to customers through a retail shop on South Oliver.
As the business grew, so did the menu. Cheesecakes were joined by house-made ice cream, freshly filled cannoli, tiramisu, and other desserts. The name evolved into XO desserts to reflect everything the shop had become.
Still a Family Business
Today, XO desserts remains family-owned and operated by Jack Feist. Katelyn, whose celiac diagnosis helped shape the business from the beginning, continues to be involved as a trainer while pursuing her education and a career in teaching.
The business may have grown, but the commitment to making great desserts, experimenting with new flavors, and doing things a little differently hasn't changed.
Made for Everyone
Being gluten-free isn't a trend we're chasing. It's part of why we started.
But we've never believed gluten-free should define how good a dessert can be. Whether someone has celiac disease or simply wants an incredible slice of cheesecake, we want the experience to be the same.
We're proud of what we've built in Wichita, grateful for the community that's helped us grow, and excited about where we're headed next.