How did you become a baker?
So, when I was growing up, I eventually got to the stubborn idea that when I was done with school I was gonna be a "Dessert Chef." As I got closer to college, and more into food and getting ready for the industry, it became clear that the "smart" and more rewarding route to working in restaurants, instead of being niche and specific, was to work in restaurants as a savory cook. By the end of culinary school, and working a couple years in kitchens, I came to the sad realization that I did NOT want to spend my life working on the line in that kind of environment; anyone who's done it knows it's its own unique world where not everyone thrives.
I changed my focus and spent a few years studying Wine & Spirits, became a Certified Sommelier, and working in that industry. At some point doing that, thinking about future options, it suddenly hit me... all of the parts of working in a kitchen that I DID love and survive in, along with the ways my mind organizes things, would work great for baking. I should have just been a Dessert Chef like I told myself!
It took me a while to find an opportunity at the right moment, but eventually I had a hand reach out and give me a chance to work in a bakery despite not having any prior experience besides culinary school. As such I got to work at the sadly short-lived Piecaken shop in Roseville with Chef Zac Young (of Top Chef Desserts and Food Network guest judging fame), learning the basics of the industry and Macarons, had my own adventures along the way, and now I'm here! Coming up to 3 years at F44 now, I'm looking forward to seeing what our desserts and baked department continue to grow into and what new things me and my wonderful Baking Manager might be able to work on!
Of all the fabulous baked goods that you two produce, which is your favorite to make?
That's a tough one! I always find a fascinating obsession and pride with the cookies that I've developed, both in the making and eating, but I think it has to be the Whoopie Pies, PURELY because I LOVE Marshmallow Fluff!! As a professional, every batch needs to of course be spoon-tested for quality control... not for any personal reasons of a nefarious and gluttonous nature...
Tell us something we don’t know about you.
In my slowly decreasing free time I study the Chinese Martial Art of Baguazhang, which I'm certainly not great at! But it's a good way to stay healthy and coordinated, physically and mentally.
Also, when I was in High School I took a Floral Design for the purposes of helping with my 'presentation skills' for plating and such, and it ended up garnering more of a personal interest in flowers and colors. Now I spend a bit of time every year tending/growing my home garden and figuring out how to make the bumblebees happy.
How did you come to acquire your famous leather duster jacket?
Gonna ask it huh? We're gonna talk about the leather-clad elephant in the room? Alright, let's do it!!
So I got it into my head that I really wanted one when I was a teenager; and no, NOT because of a certain well known movie series that is not to be named (speaking of, no, you people that love to STILL reference that the first time you see me wearing it even 20yrs after the film came out, your jokes aren't cute or original at this point). I loved Sin City, as well as a number of other graphic novels I was reading at the time that featured 'that look,' even my favorite book character sported the classic Duster (Dresden Files Nerds, Represent!!).
I finally got one for my 16th Birthday, and it's been with me for about a decade and a half now. I still love it, even if not for the original reasons I got it; it's been with me at the end of many long, tiring days of school, work, life, etc. Though it's not as clean and sleek as it used to be, the weight is still comforting every time I put it on.
Do you have a huge sweet tooth, or is eating sweets more of a busman’s holiday?
Oh no, the tooth demands! It can't resist access to sugar goodness; I actively have to avoid the ice cream aisle when shopping, there's enough calorie intake during work and adventures as it is! I particularly love getting ice cream on my days off, visiting bakeries and patisseries on vacations, etc, etc.