Michelle's Story
The foundations of A Piece of Cupcake
Baking is my hobby and passion; something I could do all day and still want to continue. It all started when I was attending college in Canada. I’d never spent much time in the kitchen at all, until one day, while waiting in the checkout line in a supermarket, a cookbook on the magazine rack caught my attention. The Australian Women’s Weekly “Chocolate Cookbook” cover displayed a luscious, beautifully decorated chocolate cake. I swear I could hear it calling to me, “Come on, take a bite!” Mesmerized, I responded by placing it on the checkout counter, and that decision began it all. And the funny thing is, I didn’t even like chocolate.
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I started testing out the cookbook’s recipes eagerly, always determined to understand and learn from my mistakes. Soon, my bookshelves were lined with various baking cookbooks - breads, pies, cookies, desserts, you name it. My Chemical Engineering program wasn’t exactly thrilling, to say the least; and coupled with Vancouver’s gloomy weather, I needed an escape. I discovered that baking not only impressed my then-boyfriend-now-husband, but it also helped me unwind from the stress of college. The oven quickly became my second-best friend.
When my dad bought me a bread machine, it sparked another wave of baking fervor. My dad would joke, “In our house, there is freshly baked bread available every single hour.” Everywhere I went, I brought along my baked goods to share: church gatherings, birthday parties, and even weddings. My reputation quickly grew among friends and family. I had considered opening a bakery in Downtown Vancouver while I was attending grad school. However, once my then-fiancé and I decided our future lay in the United States, I dropped the idea.
During my early child-rearing years, baking had to take a back seat – diaper changing, dairy allergies, and home-schooling were not exactly baking-friendly. However, those years eventually passed, and I gradually picked up my lost hobby again. The fire was rekindled, and these days I’m loving it more than ever. With the passing of Steve Jobs, I was reminded to follow my heart and intuition. I cannot afford to operate a bakery while being a full-time mom, but I can certainly start small by baking from my home kitchen. So here I am, presenting to you A Piece of Cupcake. Enjoy!