Say "Hello" to Linda Gourley, owner of "Just Desserts by Linda", who makes amazing cakes, cupcakes and other desserts. What follows is Kelsey's interview of her . . I hope you enjoy it!
What inspired/led you to your profession?
Linda started her passion for baking like most bakers do, in the kitchen at home. It was a hobby that she thoroughly enjoyed and jumped at the opportunity to do for friends, family events, or even just for entertainment for herself. Eventually Linda realized she was actually pretty good at baking and wanted to make it her career. She had a bakery in Westminster for two years, but was overwhelmed not having a commercial kitchen, and soon found a commercial kitchen in which to set up her business. Now, she no longer needed to have a storefront and could do all of her business virtually.
Has
long have you been working in the field?
Started in her 20’s for fun, but professionally since 1996.
Did you
always know you wanted to be in that profession? Or did it just happen?
Again, it all started for Linda with a love of baking at home.
Baking never seemed like a chore -- it was always fun. Linda explained that, “when
celebrating, it's always a happy occasion. One rarely bakes a cake for a sad time
in life, so when there is cake involved, it’s a joyous occasion." Linda loves
that she can be a part of that joyous moment for someone else and the fact that she can share what she loves with others, is the best part of the job.
Was
anyone from your family involved in a similar field?
Linda explained that her mother was a huge influence; every
Sunday they would enjoy a large family meal that her mom would spend the day
cooking. Linda said that she looked forward to these dinners, but especially
had her eyes set on the dessert. Her mother always went out of her way to make an
extravagant desserts that were always absolutely delicious. For Linda’s mother,
this was a way of showing love to her family.
What
are the best aspects of your job?
Linda shared that the best part of the job is the joy of meeting with
customers and finding out details to make a custom cake. “The more you get to
know your customers, the more personal the cake can be,” she explained. One must
find out hobbies, colors, and things that can yield towards a unique cake
that goes above and beyond what the customer expected.
What is
your most memorable past event? Was it good or bad?
Linda once had a bride and groom she met with and the bride secretly told her she wanted to do a surprise cake for the groom. When asked
what this cake should look like, the bride explained she “wanted to recreate a moment to remind her groom of the time they met with their priest.” As the story goes, the couple
met at the church to go over some details for the wedding. When the groom arrived, he realized that he had forgotten his shoes! Being the girly girl that
she was, the bride looked in her trunk knowing she had a couple pairs of shoes
sitting in there. She selected a pair that could possibly fit the groom, a
sandal made of a stretchy black material, so that they could walk into the church
and have their meeting. The bride went on to explain to Linda that this is what
she wanted for a cake -- a large manly looking foot in a woman’s
two-sizes-too-small sandal. It was certainly one of the more interesting cakes
Linda has ever had to create.
What
characteristics of a person best fit with your profession?
Linda explained that you ABSOLUTELY have to be a good listener
and make it about your customer instead of yourself (after all, it's not your
cake or your event.) One has to be willing to go the extra mile no matter what.
“Sometimes plan A, B, or even C don’t work, so just go through whatever it takes to make it a success.”
What is
your favorite vacation spot?
Alaska land and sea cruise
If you
could go somewhere you’ve never gone before, where would it be? Why?
Linda's dream vacation is to go to Italy. Linda claims she is just in awe of the food, countryside, and “honestly just everything!”
Any
advice for someone interested in entering your field of work?
Her best piece of advice is to work with someone in your field that you are interested in or try to take a course. Baking at home is truly different than in a commercial kitchen, so a baker must educate himself or herself to succeed. It can be frustrating and time consuming for a home-baker to learn the difference, but it is well worth it.
Thank you, Linda, for the amazing
treats you make for your customers, friends and family!
Please click on Just Desserts by Linda, to visit her website and learn more about her desserts, or call her at 410-848-2133 to set up a consultation!
