There's 2 sides to this badass baker

The Pastry Chef vs the Baker. I am a trained Pastry Chef with a Baker mentality. I have loved baking since I was a kid, I started baking as a hobby as a teenager. I was intimidated to try anything out of my comfort zone so I stuck with cookies, bar cookies, cupcakes and mini cheesecakes.

My sweet tooth has never failed me and my passion for baking has grown. My passion now at the age of 43 is different than it was as a child, as a student as a Pastry Chef, as a business owner, and as a teacher.

I went to Pastry school at Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, NC in 2006 when I transitioned out of my Social Work job and decided to give Pastry School a try. What I knew going to school was, I had A LOT to learn. What I did not need to learn, was how to love dessert. I was born that way.

I have always found baking to be a mix of facing my fears, alleviating stress, being therapeutic, a creative outlet, a way to relax, play, laugh and have fun, a lesson in science, and testament to building confidence in myself and my sweets.

I have worked in resorts all over the United States. I never felt comfortable wearing the Chef’s Coat and tall paper hats, or the beanie or hats. I truly have the heart of a baker who is here for the sweets and the sweet lessons that I have learned through all the cool jobs. Some jobs I hated, some jobs I loved, but I always learned.

I have learned what I love making, what I am good at making, what I am intimidated to make and what I never want to make again.

I have learned that I have not only worked extremely hard to learn about everything Pastry, but I have also learned a lot about myself and what truly feeds my soul.

I lean on the baker side much more often than on the professional side because it represents me when I am in the kitchen baking, learning, laughing, sometimes cursing or getting splattered with batter, messing up a recipe, because I am rushing too much.

I am here to help you in any way that I can to make your introduction to baking easy, fun, fearless and delicious. I hope you embrace the messiness, the mistakes and the sweet rewards that come with baking.

I hope you will join me in a class soon. My classes are available all year long for anyone at any skill level. I also create handmade desserts all year round for your sweet tooth cravings.

xoxo

Annie