What inspired you to start baking and/or open your own bakery business, and how did you develop your passion for baking?
My dearest friend in high school and college had Celiac disease, and I hated how she had to navigate life so very cautiously. When my son was diagnosed with the very same disease, I grieved the experiences I knew he wouldn't get. I have always had a life-long passion for baking, so I made it my heart's mission to ensure he didn't have to always feel like he was missing out by having treats and bakery items on hand for all of the family celebrations, holidays, school activities, sporting events, and more! There is a huge gap in our community for safe food options for those navigating gluten allergies and intolerances, so I finally decided to take the small business leap in October of 2021 and haven't looked back!
What do you like about Judee's ingredients?
One of the biggest challenges for many following a strict gluten-free diet, is that sometimes taste is compromised. One of the things I love most about Judee's is the high-quality ingredients that are in their products!
Bakers often face unique challenges in the kitchen. Can you share a specific obstacle you encountered as a baker and how you overcame it to achieve success?
The one unique challenge I often face is clients requesting peanut butter, so I use alternative nut-free butters. But honestly, finding a good one was definitely challenging. I also have a small kitchen so I have to be creative when utilizing my space!
Show us your creativity! What's the most innovative or unique dessert creation you've come up with, and what inspired you to make it?
Our Frosted Snickerdoodle Cookies have been our biggest seller, so I finally decided to merge it into a cake and a cupcake! It has been my highest requested menu item for wedding cakes because the frosting is lightly speckled with brown sugar and cinnamon, which makes for a beautiful vintage look on cakes. It has such a fun, unexpected flavor that guests just love!
Give us your hot take! What's a baking tip you wish everyone knew?
Baking for me, is all about failure. It's such a beautiful process of creating. I wish everyone knew that even the best bakers fail every day. After so many trials and errors, biting into that final piece of success is just the best feeling in the world!
Baking can be therapeutic for many people. Do you have a favorite recipe that you turn to when you need to unwind and find solace in the kitchen?
Royal iced cookies for me, are my favorite creation. They're an empty canvas that you can use to brighten someone's day or use for a special celebration. I always have extras on hand so that I can add a simple note or create something special.
Baking is often associated with joyful moments and celebrations. Can you share a heartwarming or memorable story of how your baked goods have brought happiness to someone's life?
I recently started offering cookie decorating classes to the community. When you're gluten-free, I think you forget how alienating life can be at times. The response I have received from parents and attendees at these events is just amazing. To be able to engage in a community event centered around food, without worry, was something many hadn't been able to experience in years. It has been such a wonderful way to engage the celiac and gluten-free community