How I got here

a little bit about me, and how I got here.

**young demi did not want help cutting the cake**

Food has always meant a lot to me. I felt a connection with it very early on, not sure why but I’m glad it happened. I always gravitated towards the kitchen when I’d smell my yiayia or moms cooking and watch them cook from a distance. Soon, I’d be baking on my own time, trying to mimic recipes I saw on Cake Boss or Rachel Ray. Before I knew it, I was making dishes for my family, setting the table for dinner and helping my mom (or my friends moms) cook or just around the kitchen at any time I could.

In high school I took a food class every year and it was always my favorite class. Where I actually felt like I fit in. My comfort place. I always knew I loved to cook & bake, but I actually didn’t have the confidence to know I should do it professionally. I was scared to pursue it, because if I did and I wasn’t good, then what I believed about myself would be false. I’m so glad I took a chance on myself & pursued it, because little Demi would be sooo proud. Not to be cheesy, because I see how this comes off- but she’d see my life and career as a dream. Which is ironic, because I always want to do more, learn more, be more. Back to the story, I tried A few majors in college, trying to desperatley figure out what career was right for me, it was almost all I cared about from 18-22, what would I do? Because I needed to love it, or have passion for it, and I wanted to make money from something I loved. I realized school wasn’t working for me for a variety of reasons -I attempted real estate, (not for me) and that is what finally pushed me to say, you know what? Screw it. I was working in restaurants and kitchens during that time, always really enjoying it. so I pursued a culinary program instead. That was helpful because it gave me confidence to go into a professional kitchen and at least pretend I belong there, until I did for real. It was natural for me once I felt a little more comfortable. While I was cooking for the restaurant I was at for my Apprenticeship, I always enjoyed the day I was with the pastry chef the most. Making cakes and decorating them, plating beautiful and creative desserts. I also liked how with baking, its more precise. I like knowing something will work if you follow the formula. So I knew I wanted to pursue baking more full time than cooking. (See pics of desserts we made at the first restaurant I worked at below)

While at the restaurant, I also was working at a new-age grocery store to get by. I really enjoyed working there, honestly all aspects of it. I stocked high end products, got to prepare bites and make coffees, learned inventory. A lot of skills developed there. Plus it was just fun for someone who likes the food industry & hospitality as a whole. It was cool to see new products coming in, and the story behind them. Most were health products trying to provide people with alternative options. They also had yummy ice cream and other stuff so when they’d go bad by a day we got to eat them for free. The little things in life. I still to this day have an affinity for grocery stores. I love them. While I was working there I noticed a few local businesses that I thought were particularly cool. I tried a few things out but ultimately decided I wanted to be a bread baker. It felt so right. Bread has always been my favorite thing to eat, so why not learn more about it? So, I went on to pursue that, and I am still working there now. Pics of the bakery life below:

The coolest part of the bakery is we specialize in Artisan Sourdough, with whole grains, so I learned all about the type of bread we should be consuming on a daily basis. NOT the store bought-processed “wonderbread” types. No hate to that bread, it is all I knew growing up, and sometimes all I crave, but who knew we could actually help our gut as we eat bread? While not harming our bodies. Moral of the story, get into sourdough if you aren’t already. I have worked here over 3 years, and moved my way up to management. This has forced me to grow even more and at a faster rate than I thought possible. Very challenging experience, but such a growing one, and thankfully I do enjoy the work I do most of the time. Part of getting promoted and working harder than ever before, being apart of a growing business, stepping up to challenges while having to trust myself, (and also just having absolutley huuuge workloads) has all cumulated and helped me realize how capable I am of doing my own thing-which I have always had in the back of my mind…Not needing it to get to any huge capacity per se- but just taking a chance to test out my creative outlet for an audience, and translating my skill into a service for loved ones :) What could be better than making something with love that you know someone will enjoy later on?

I now have my lil side gig proudly, and it grows everyday. Here are some photos of what I have been up to. I am excited to see where this journey takes me, what it teaches me, and reveals to me about myself. I’m going to be cheesy again here for a sec, but if you want to try something and you think its right-just take a chance on yourself, no one else will if you don’t. Thank you for being here for my journey & supporting me. Hope to see you along the way.

love, Demi

**Strawberry Cake with vanilla buttercream**

**my first event, a gender reveal for my closest family friends, mini cupcakes & fall trail mix**

**melomakarono (greek cookies) for Christmas**

And more where that comes from.

Glazed Donuts