Kristine M. Kierzek
A math downside about muffins was the primary inkling that Kristin Zenz may grow to be a baker. Whereas it was simply meant to be a method for the grade faculty pupil to study fractions, she could not cease fascinated about the muffins. She needed to go dwelling and make the recipe.
She’s been baking ever since. It wasn’t essentially something fancy to begin, and principally only for enjoyable. Working as a speech therapist for Milwaukee Public Colleges, she baked at any time when she had time. Final summer season, she determined to take the additional time she had and started a baking enterprise, including expertise and extra recipes as she gained confidence.
Chozzie’s Bakery formally opened in Could 2022, and he or she started promoting on the Menomonee Falls Farmers Market. Because the home-based baker discovered what folks like, she’s additionally continued to problem herself. She continues to supply her de ella bestselling chocolate chip cookies, almond croissants and scotcheroos, plus seasonal favorites, whereas increasing choices with cinnamon rolls, muffins and hand-decorated cookies.
The menu and data for customized orders can be found at chozziesbakery.com. Search for Zenz and her de ella baked items Jan. 28 and 29 at re: Craft & Relic winter market that includes greater than 150 cubicles on the Milwaukee County Sports activities Complicated, 6000 W. Ryan Street, Franklin. Zenz may also be promoting from 10 am to three pm Feb. 4 at Root River Middle, 7220 W. Rawson Ave., Franklin. She’ll return to the Menomonee Falls Farmers Market, which runs Wednesdays beginning June 21.
how she started
I all the time loved baking. I wasn’t very experimental, simply chocolate chip cookies or a cake. Then in school I would bake on weekends. After I started working, I would bake and convey issues in to the break room as a result of I like to bake, however I do not wish to eat all of it myself. I began stepping into the recipe growth and science, altering substances to see the way you make a cookie that’s thicker and chewier. I discovered how a lot science went into baking, and I liked that.
Early kitchen adventures
The very first thing I bear in mind making, and actually desirous to make, was a muffin recipe in a math workbook. It was all about studying the fractions, however I needed to go dwelling and make that recipe.
Summer time kick begin
I’ve summers off. I’m a speech therapist within the colleges. I had accomplished summer season faculty, and I simply needed to do one thing totally different. I used to be additionally baking quite a bit, method, far more than I might ever eat. Final summer season I simply tried the Menomonee Falls market. That was the beginning.
Challenges accepted
This began as a interest. After I realized I favored it, I believed nicely, I might flip this right into a enterprise. I like all of the facets, even with the challenges.
Naming her enterprise
I used to be pondering and pondering and could not give you one thing. I needed one thing sentimental, however every part cute was already taken. I ended up combining two of my cats’ names: Chozzie’s Bakery.
Behind the enterprise
Proper now I am baking all out of my dwelling, however finally I’d transfer right into a business house. In the summertime and fall, I used to be baking 5 days every week. After Christmas I gave myself a bit time without work. Quickly I will be making my Valentine recipes and baking 4 days every week and rising the customized order enterprise.
fan mail enjoyable
I really like the photographs folks ship me. Final week I did Iron Man cookies. The one that purchased them, her little man favored them a lot. It made me completely satisfied.
Her all-time favourite
The chocolate chip cookie is one thing that’s traditional and located all over the place. I favored all of them, however I all the time thought there was one thing lacking. Everybody likes it in a different way, however everybody likes them. I used science to search out my cookie.
a quantity recreation
The primary craft/relic occasion was quite a bit busier than I used to be used to, a a lot bigger scale. That first Saturday, I got here dwelling and needed to bake for one more 5 hours as a result of I would bought out. That was good, however I undoubtedly did not wish to be up all evening. The toughest half is realizing how a lot to bake. What sells in a single space is probably not as in style at one other occasion. Each occasion is so totally different, and you do not wish to have an excessive amount of and find yourself with leftovers.
why she likes this
I do not actually do artful issues myself, however I’ve all the time loved taking a look at craft gadgets and going to craft reveals. I like being there to help the distributors, and I actually take pleasure in interacting with the folks. You will discover out firsthand what they’re curious about, and you’ll find out immediately.
I’ve accomplished issues from Waterford to Menomonee Falls and in between. Scones did very well in Menomonee Falls, however not so nicely in Waterford. It’s having the ability to make totally different recipes for various audiences.
bestselling bites
In all probability both my almond croissant or my chocolate chip cookie. I additionally do a scotcheroo cookie, with chocolate chip and butterscotch and peanut butter. That does fairly nicely.
Past the fundamentals
I acquired bored of the cookies. I needed extra of a problem. Yeast doughs actually intrigued me, partly as a result of they are a problem.
Final summer season I simply labored on extra of the pastry stuff. Croissants and cinnamon rolls have been enjoyable. I really like making muffins and cupcakes. I’ve additionally been working extra to develop the adorned cookie aspect of my enterprise. I am engaged on some Valentine choices for particular orders. I additionally make breads in winter, normally extra on the savory aspect.
Most up-to-date cookbook she purchased
I discover a whole lot of inspiration in cookbooks. I have a look at a whole lot of blogs. The newest cookbook I purchased is “The Excellent Cookie” by America’s Take a look at Kitchen. They’ve nearly each cookie you possibly can have ever imagined. I like all of the notes they put in there, so you possibly can see how issues progress. I’ve the America’s Take a look at Kitchen cake and pie books as nicely. They’re very detailed.
Customized orders welcome
If it’s a adorned cookie or cake, I’d ask for every week discover. Drop cookies, I would like two or extra days discover.
Proper now I additionally make the extra conventional muffins, vanilla, confetti, crimson velvet, cookies and cream, and I am engaged on increasing vegan and gluten-free choices as nicely. Each market, at the very least 5 folks would ask about gluten-free stuff. I did not notice how many individuals want or need vegan and gluten free. It’s one thing that persons are asking for, so I wish to add that.
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Fork. Spoon. Life. explores the on a regular basis relationship that native notables (inside the meals group and with out) have with meals. To counsel future personalities to profile, e-mail psullivan@gannett.com.
