This will definitely be the only and most personal entry and might I add longest entry! So what better way to start a blog then to share a a bit of history about my self and career.

Ever since I was a child I’ve been all things food. I’m not sure what inspired such an interest. From what I can remember cuisine wasn’t popular in my family other then praising my grannies home made short bread every Christmas, or eating my granddads one of a kind delicious mashed potatoes with chives every Friday. Don’t get me wrong I grew up with some pretty amazing dishes but it was never a topic. I’m not even sure my family owned a cook book to be honest. Perhaps that is why I was so curious all the time? I knew nothing about  cuisine. I will always remember being absolutely appalled thinking cheesecake my all time favourite dessert was made out of cheese!? I only knew of cheddar and mozzarella. I would think to myself how on earth can such cheeses be transformed into something sweet and delicious? What better way to find out then to find a recipe and study it then make it for my self.  By doing this I was able to teach myself so much. From that moment on it was story of success. However pursuing a culinary career did not yet phase me.

During my mid-teen years I was sure I would be involved in the music industry as a future career. My sister Anne, my friend Stacey and myself created a successful (for our age and time) online music zine. We had the opportunity to interview all of our favourite artists/bands, it was actually very impressive now that I look back on it! We were really lucky! Fortunately Anne and Stacey were able to peruse music as a full time career, but I just didn’t see it for myself. I then moved onto my next interest which was fashion, all I could comprehend or have the patience for was making handbags (which I’m still pretty good at!).  So what was next inline?  Well through out high school I had always heard that the culinary class that was offered to grade 11’s was a great experience. Everyone would talk about all the delicious foods that they made and how great the teacher was. Sure enough everyone was right! My grades were through the roof, receiving a mark of 110% twice, continuously receiving between 90 and 95. My teacher took notice in my culinary abilities and mentioned I should apply for post secondary education.

 It took me 2 years to build up the courage to apply to college for culinary arts and I will tell you why. Going back in time, growing up I was very frustrated and had a hard time paying attention and absorbing information. I was very envious and jealous of those who could understand. I could not accept the fact I have a learning disability. It really hit me harder then ever when one day, so close to graduating a teacher told me to just give up and that I would not make it through high school or be accepted to any college or university. Having such low confidence I believed him. He was my teacher after all right? he knew my work ethics best, or so I assumed.  It really took a toll on my family and drained them to see me so upset and unmotivated. I could not get the terror of that teacher out of my head. Fortunately I managed to graduate high school so that was the first step in proving him wrong!  As I previously stated it took me 2 years to take the second step, which was building the confidence to apply to college, also remembering that my chef from high school had all hope in my abilities! I always kept that in the back of my head. I really thank him for helping me get to where I am today because with out his words of encouragement I’m not sure I would have perused the culinary industry.

College day one; what a nightmare! My anxiety was through the roof. That dreaded teacher and his words of terror were coming back to haunt me.  I couldn’t believe so much money was spent just to get a piece of paper saying I had failed, or so I thought would happen! I didn’t want to let anyone down so I knew I had to give it a chance. I am so glad I did! It only took 3 days to fall In love! My brain was absorbing more information then it ever had before!  I couldn’t take my eyes off of my text books, I needed to learn more, I wanted to learn more. So that’s it...all I had to do was find something I was interested in!  I wasn’t dumb, I’m actually really smart! Ijust learn differently then others that’s all! Its unfortunate it took so long to realize that. Get this, I was offered student employment as as tutor! Tutoring my fellow peers in all our culinary studies!  It was the most rewarding experience I have ever been given.

So by this point you’re probably wondering where do cakes come in? Through out college learning equal amounts of cooking and baking, I found myself falling more in love with baking. On one of our last days of college our pastry chef brought in a photo album of all the cakes she had made through the years  and I was truly blown a way. I had never seen such beauty in my life. I needed to learn how one creates such a master piece.  She taught me the basics of making a cake, and how to work with fondant. From there I would teach myself.

After graduating I continued to teach myself the basics of cake design, creating pieces for friends and family where I started to make a little name for myself, as well as working full time. I was a Head Baker, a Pastry assistant at a 5 star Inn, a Garde manger, a Barista and my favourite position, a Teachers Assistant in a bake lab!  Balancing the two started to become very over whelming and I knew I needed to pick one or the other. Cake design it  was! I was determined to find a school that specializes in designer confections and sure enough I did!

Enrolling in Bonnie Gordon School of Confectionary Arts (Professional Cake Design)  was  one of the greatest things I could have ever done for myself.  Being taught by Bonnie her self is an experience I will never forget. I learned everything from baking, professional cake design, business, gumpaste flowers, sugar blowing and pulling to chocolate illustration and cake photography, absolutely everything one should learn in order to persue a successful professional cake business. The talent graduating from this school is absolutely mind blowing. And the guest instructors! I will never forget the day Peggy Porschen came to the school! One of my all time favourite designers from Europe, next to Wendy Kromer whom is Martha Stewarts Cake designer! She also made an appearance at the school! Cool huh? Just a quick exciting note I had to throw in there!

So coming to an end, school is over so now what? Its obvious, look how far I’ve come!  Time to get down to business. What better way to do that then put all of my years of education and experience together and start a small business by ombinding my two favourite interests cake design and pastry!!  I feel as though I should tell you how my business name was created. It’s a shortfunny one. A good friend of mine and I were discussing business names and some got onto the topic of band names. Jokingly he said “Hey how about Pastry DC!?” ... now think about it, we had just finished talking about AC/DC .lol.  Get it? get it?  has a bit of catch to it now that you know the inspiration behind the name.  If you’re wondering what DC stands for its “Designer Cakes”.

My plans for the future which I would hope to be sooner rather then later will be opening a store front within my community. It’s a beautiful area. I would like to offer custom pastries, and designer cakes. Eventually I would love to give you the opportunity to learn about my products hands on by offering various work shops , and giving you the opportunity to create my products in your very own at home by referring to the book I am currently writing.  I will be sure to keep everyone updated on its progress!

So from here on you will be able to look forward to recipes, reviews, quick facts and information, photo blogs, video, and more!  ENJOY!