What better time to start the week than with an interview! On CafféLatté magazine, there will be a monthly new feature called Your Moment & interview#. This is where I scour Trinidad & Tobago for interesting folks who do interesting stuff, and love what they are doing!
For the month of January 2012, I have Shelly-Anne who is the Owner and Chief Baker of Simply Edible. We went to high/secondary school together, and with the almost invaluable Facebook (networking site), we have been in constant contact! It seems almost overnight Simply Edible took off, and soon, Shelly-Anne was baking custom ordered desserts. As a result, the feedback was remarkable and folks were raving for Simply Edible goodies. I "simply" had to interview this entrepreneur who also lives in my hometown!
A: The name of the business is Simply Edible,Trinidad W.I. The nature of my business is catering desserts and custom cakes and cupcakes for any event.
Q: What is your current state of mind right now?
A: Excitement!
Q: I saw your website and your delicious treats, who/what influenced you to start baking?
A: My brothers came into my life unexpectedly due to my parents divorce. I had to find the means to balance the bills with my husband. Everyone used to rave over my food, so I thought of the options that I could venture into as I was pregnant with my second daughter at the time. Then, I started baking breads and cooking box lunches for support to put food on the table. Since then it has been a whirlwind of non-stop goodies.
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A: The only courses that have helped me in my cake design, were CXC* Art as well as Graphic Design which I did as a Certificate Course. Everything from mixing colors and blending ideas has come from that. As for learning how to create fondant characters, it is all freehand and the more work I get the more I improve.
Q: Do you have a favourite cake design?
A: Wow that’s a tough one. If I had to choose one I would have to say it would be the Finding Nemo theme cake.
Q:What is your favourite cake flavour?
A: My favourite cake flavour is Banana.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
A: I see myself in a small store front for my company.
Q: What would be the best event to happen in your life as a baker?
A: Wow, there have been so many blessings to come my way. The best event thus far would be having a photographer use my cupcakes as subjects for their photography. It was wonderful to see how they put together everything and made it into a piece of art.
Q: Apart from your baking, what are your other hidden talents?
A: Hmm, that would have to say dabbling in photography by taking photos of the desserts I make.
Q: As an entrepreneur, who/what will be your ideal client?
A: I think my customers are far more intriguing to me over any famous/local talent. I meet so many characters on a day to day basis and I get to share in their special moments each year as their family grows. That is what makes me happy.
Q: When you are working, what type of music do you listen to, and whom?
A: When I am doing assembly line work I tend to listen to Soca or any live tempo music to keep the energy going. No specific artistes.
Q: If you have a comment for CafféLatté magazine, what would it be?
A: Keep up the amazing work!
Thank you Shelly-Anne and Keep on truckin'!
# See here for Allenoel's interview in November
* Caribbean Examinations Council now called, Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE)
Just wish to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your post is Just nice and i can assume you're an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.
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Hello Sheena T. Dean, and Thank you! I am not an expert, but I try my best. Sorry for the late reply. Go right ahead, I appreciate it. And I will let my friend Ms. Gregory whom interviewed for this segment, know about it as well.
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