Making memorable experiences even in a pandemic

My students are AMAZING! Not only have they embraced a new way of learning baking (virtually), but their sprits and confidence in their baking skills (or self identified lack of skills) remain high.

Everyone seems anxious and nervous in the beginning, but also very eager and open to learn. Everyone is respectful of each other, patient and asking questions as often as they need. I never want anyone to feel like any question is not worthy of being asked. You sign up to learn, that is exactly what I am here to teach you. I have spent over 14 years and counting as a professional Pastry Chef and TRUST me that I have had many ups and downs in the kitchen. I have learned shortcuts, how to explore my creativity, how to identify what to look for in a product based on the senses, touch, feel and smell. This has helped me immensely when I began teaching on a computer.

I knew I had to act quickly to keep this business going once the shutdown happened in March. Here I am a single business owner who has finally found my passion and has found joy and love in helping others create memorable experiences with me in the kitchen and my whole world hit pause. I had to figure out and readjust quickly because no one else is going to pay my bills and I knew I had to do something.

Technology and I are not necessarily the best of friends. I have spent the last 14 years pretty much in a kitchen with very little need for technology (until I became a business owner). UGH, I still feel like I have soo much to learn, but I have made progress.

I was lucky enough to have my friends Joyce and Jen help me figure out zoom and then I went for it full force. I kept adding classes and found out there people were finding me all over the world through articles in Country Living Magazine and Parade Magazine that featured my business with world famous Chefs as the best virtual classes to take. WOW! Proud and grateful for sure!

The challenges for me push me to try something new and think outside the box. Just as I did when I decided to begin teaching almost 3 years ago, I thought lets see what happens.

What I have found is that although the students cannot join me physically in a classroom setting, I have kept the same goals for my classes (connect, have fun, make baking less stressful and help people be more at ease overall with baking). I am not at all surprised that I continue to have the most amazing students.

I am beyond grateful to have so many students joining me from all over the world with families, friends, and connecting with strangers all over the world from the safety and comfort of their own homes.

You truly are the best gift ever and I am so excited to continue teaching you all and being part of all of your experiences, your memories and being the one to teach you that baking is not as scary as it may seem. It is fun and when you have the right recipes and badass baker teaching you, you will have delicious treats and unforgettable memories that will keep you wanting to come back and try something else.

Thanks for being here and for continuing to support me every single day. I literally could not do this without you. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your families celebrations, your team building events, your gatherings with friends and for those of you that sign up for something for yourself.

I look forward to seeing you all in a class soon.

xoxo

Annie