I grew up in a household that dealt with many complexities. Baking was my “escape” and It’s one of the few motivations that has propelled me forward through tough times. In my younger years, baking was the way I could block out all of the noise. I would use my easy bake oven to make their chocolate cake recipe. I enjoyed the process. Watching how mixing this and that can turn into something else entirely was intriguing; It all felt so very special. I didn’t realize until much later, this consistent process, allowing me to create while still being very technical was what I needed and served as a coping mechanism back then and now.

As I got older I spent ample amounts of time in the kitchen. It was often a place of chaos and slight tension but it’s where I started to familiarize myself with baking recipes from scratch. My first job in the industry was a Maitre d’ at a fine dining restaurant at age 17. I gained an inside look at how a professional kitchen ran with my attention gravitating towards the pastry team.

Today I have certifications in Chocolate Making and Confections from The International Culinary Center in New York City. I have spent time working in numerous kitchens, bakeries, restaurants, and corporate organizations in the Baltimore area. From plated desserts to high volume orders for major events, my hands on experience over the last decade has not only expanded my knowledge but also allowed me to further hone my craft and its originality.

In time I realized although these endeavors were invaluable; being my own boss was the missing ingredient that would allow me total creative freedom and personalized attention. Overall my life has been an ongoing series of maneuverings and maintaining a good mental health has proved crucial for me. The journey is continuous but does not have to be strictly linear. I’ve been learning how to face the childhood trauma within but no longer let it define me. Everyday has a “trying” moment or two but i’ve gotten much better at being aware of my limitations especially in terms of my health.

Sometimes in life we get handed tough ingredients that feel like they couldn’t possibly go together. We make adjustments or perceived improvements and even then it’s as if the outcome hasn’t changed. It doesn’t always make full sense and at times there are no explanations. Practicing patience is a constant key for me. The space to learn and grow is infinite. I no longer focus on running out of time but instead where time can take me. Baking is my passion. Igniting that fire starts with you.