Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandria Ducote
Hi Alexandria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I knew I wanted to go into the food industry when I was 13 years old. I would bake for my family and friends. Once I started driving, I got a job at a kitchen gadget store in Turkey Creek and got to learn more about tools for the kitchen. After high school, I went to ETSU for a semester before deciding to leave for Southern California to pursue my dream of baking professionally. In April of 2010, I went out to Orange County, California to get settled before attending Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena to get my education in Patisserie and Baking. While in school, I worked special events to gain experience in all parts of the field. The events I worked the most were red carpet celebrations – The Grammy’s, Director’s Guild, Governor’s Ball, The Oscars, and Australian Director’s Guild. All of these were through Wolfgang Puck Catering. It was such an exciting time in my career! They were impressed enough with my work that I earned a permanent spot on the payroll until school ended, and then I went back to Orange County to work with a small bakery by the beach in San Clemente, and with the St. Regis Resort in Dana Point. I continued this work for 3 years before deciding to move back to TN. While I’ve been in and out of the industry since moving back, I’ve always known I wanted to own my own bakery one day. Therefore, I did continue to bake on the side when I wasn’t in the industry, and honing my skills when I was. I worked for Windows on the Park in Downtown Knoxville at what is now the Marriott hotel, Scrumps Cupcakes, Gigi’s Cupcakes, and Secret City Pies. All were stepping stones to getting to where I am now. After I purchased my home in 2021, I decided to resign from my corporate job and go full time with my bakery. I’ve been growing a little more each year and trying to bring something special to Maryville and surrounding cities. Right now, I specialize in event desserts for work parties, weddings, baby showers, and any special celebrations you have! You can also find me at a few markets here and there in Maryville.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. There were, sometimes still are, times where finances slowed me down from growing my business, my oven deciding to jump 25-50 degrees in temperature randomly, rolling black outs at Christmas time, opening during Covid. I’m still trying to grow the business to attend more markets and branch out to selling within businesses, but with inflation, it’s making it more difficult to find an affordable rental kitchen without having to raise my prices too much. I strive on being affordable for my clients so they can have an amazing dessert for a reasonable price. Plus now I am a new mom trying to navigate work and home balance with a newborn!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a cottage style bakery in Maryville, TN. This means I am a home baker. Every dessert is made from scratch, and I specialize in wedding cakes, dessert bars, custom sugar cookies, large events, and custom cakes. I think what sets me apart from others is that I bake everything from scratch, and I don’t have overly sweet items. I offer a wide variety of desserts for any occasion. I want it to be known that I work with your budget to get the image you are looking for with your desserts. Whether it is a 6 tier luxury wedding cake, a party for 250 people, or a Taylor Swift themed birthday, I can help take your occasion to the next level through food.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Understand that it takes time to build up your clientele’s trust. Your bakery will take over your house. Spend the extra time honing in on your skills. Invest in yourself, believe it’ll work, and take the step forward. Also, don’t discredit marketplace when looking for baking supplies! I found my commercial oven for a fraction of the cost, and it is the best investment yet.
Pricing:
- $4.75/person for wedding cakes
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wildflourbakerytn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.wildflour.bakery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewildflourbakerytn
