Hello and THANK YOU for visiting my website.  My name is Kamryn Green and I personally prepared everything you see in the Sweets Suite. I'm a 19 year old Johnson & Wales sophomore who started baking about five years ago when I wanted to make homemade sugar cookies for my grandmother and great-grandmother for Grandpartents' Day.  The cookies were thin, crisp, a little too brown on the bottom and my 'decoration' was simply brushing them with corn syrup and applying sprinkles.  Despite their many flaws, they were actually pretty tasty and my grandparents enjoyed them. Three months later, it was time for Christmas cookie gifts for my family.  Although the cookies were still pretty thin, they were a little less crisp, a little less brown,  I applied a little less corn syrup......and they were a little more tasty.

 

Throughout the following year, I gave cookies as Thank You and Birthday gifts and each time my technique improved a little and so did the flavor.  Before long, paid orders were coming in from family and friends.  My violin teacher even started hiring me to prepare treats for her chamber music concert receptions. I was having fun and making a little money too...I didn't think it could get any better than that. Well it did!

 

While taking a cake decorating class, my instructor asked if I'd ever considered selling cookies to my classmates.  The thought hadn't occurred to me, but I was intrigued by the idea.  It was just about a week or so before Valentine's Day, so I decided to give it a shot and take a few orders.  Never did I imagine those 'few orders' would result in over 100 cookies.  I was excited and terrified at the same time.  What was I thinking? How could I roll, cut, bake, decorate, package, transport and distribute that many cookies in one day? Well, with my mom's support and encouragement, a lot of determination...and a few tears....I managed to pull it off.  There were a few 'not-quite-dry' cookies, but other than that everything went FABULOUSLY.  The cookies were a huge hit and before I knew it, classmates were approaching me regularly to ask if I had any more cookies.  A few weeks later, it was time for St. Patrick's Day, then Easter, then Mother's Day and then Graduation.  With each 'sales event' , came  repeat, as well as, new customers. Pretty soon, parents and even a couple of teachers were buying also.  What started as an expression of family love had turned into a true business venture and my journey had officially begun.  By September 2013, I had managed to save enough to contribute 1/3rd of the cost of my first car.

 

In the fall of 2013, my counselor ordered cupcakes; within a week, another counselor ordered cupcakes also, then another. By early 2014, most of the counseling staff had placed at least one order and teachers and administrative staff were contacting me regularly to make cookies and cupcakes for various events.  In just a few short months, I had basically become FHS's resident baker and I loved it!  I have also been asked to prepare treats for holiday events, birthdays, a baby shower, bridal shower, bachelorette party and a baptism. 

 

In April 2014, I was presented with an opportunity to sell to the general public at a booth at a local indoor farmers' market. It was the Saturday before Easter and in addition to the school orders, I prepared over 90 frosted Easter Egg sugar cookies for the market.  I was nervous because I didn't have experience selling to the public.  Much to my excitement and relief, I sold out and was invited to return to the market for the remainder of the season.  The manager also asked me to participate in her Sunday summer market. These experiences really helped grow my customer base.

 

Currently, I operate under Michigan Cottage Food Law which allows me to sell certain baked goods that I prepare in my home.  I am currently in culinary school to obtain an associates degree in Baking and Pastry Arts as well as a bachelor o sciene degree in Foodservice Entrepreneurship. From there, my goal is to open a world renowned bakery and cake shop (or two) to appeal to everyone from the dad who's ordering his son's first birthday cake to the excited bride-to-be looking for the perfect cake for her 300-guest wedding.

 

Baking has definitely become a passion of mine and even if I'm having a less than perfect day, I am always excited when I preheat the oven, turn on the mixer or take the cooling racks out of the cabinet because I know that can only mean one thing.......it's time to Bake It All Better!