Interviews

Interview on Baking

I think it is important to here from people who have experience in a hobby that you want to learn from.

Today I interviewed Grace Evans who works at local bakery, while being at college.
Let's look at what Grace has to say about what it is like working in a bakery.

About Yourself:

Name: Grace Evans

College: Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, WI

Year/Major: Junior, Cross Cultural Studies

Questions:

Where do you work? 

Sweet Talkin' Treats in Watertown, WI 

What inspired you to work in a bakery? What is the everyday life like in a bakery?

• I've always loved to bake--it's relaxing. I love experimenting with food chemistry, combining new flavors, and coming up with new twists on old favorites. Working in a bakery is a perfect low-pressure creative outlet. 
• The most distinct part of working in a bakery are the hours. In order to have fresh baked products, our work day starts between 1am and 3am, depending on how many special orders we have that day. It's quite the task to get everything for the walk-in-case ready by opening time as well as everything for the special orders ready for their specific pick-up or delivery times!The most stressful thing is having to deliver fragile cakes, knowing that they could break or collapse at any time in the transporting process. Overall, we love what we do. We make the best of our early hours be always having fun music on and trying to keep the conversation flowing.
• Oh! and here's a fun fact: since starting this job six months ago, I've only had coffee on my work days for times!

What are some of your favorite bakery treats? What is the most popular item on the menu?

• Hmm, this is a tough question! I don't know that I would consider any type of treat my favorite, but I like anything with seasonal flavors: pumpkin, apple, cranberry, ginger, peppermint, etc. I also enjoy non-traditional bake goods, like allergy-friendly things. My favorite allergy-free thing I've made was an avocado chocolate cake.
• The most popular item at our shop would definitely be our cupcakes. Our customers love our Italian buttercream, which is fluffy and light. The most popular cupcakes are Triple Chocolate, Lemon Raspberry, and Carmel Carrot.

Do you have any tips on decorating? (Ex: frosting cakes or cookies etc.)

• Get a decorating tip that YOU love. If you're making a lot of cupcakes go for a tip that will make every cupcake look fancy-try a star tip with a nickel-sized opening to get a beautiful swirl.
• For sugar cookies decorating, spend the time to make a glaze with a good consistency. Use the outline-and-fill method, which means that your glaze should be thick enough to pipe through a thin round tip, but thin enough to spread itself across the cookie when applied with an icing spatula. 

Do you have any tips on baking?

• Add your ingredients in the order stated in the recipe. If you don't do this, your cake could come out like a brownie or a cookie.
• Experiment! If you think some flavor or ingredient combination sounds good, do an internet search for those ingredients and see what recipes pop up. A good internet search is Taste Spotting and Pinterest. 
• Don't be afraid of a time-consuming or multi-step recipe. Invest the patience to make it once. Perhaps it won't be as tedious as expected, and you might just love it!
• Practice! You'll make lots of friends in the process! Most people won't turn down the opportunity to help eat something you made. 

If you would like to learn more about Sweet Talkn' Treats visit their website! 

Interview on Ministry

Today I interviewed Mrs. Riis who works in the church kitchen. She absolutely loves what she does and uses her talent to minister to others. I know she is an encouragement and a model to others, she shows us the importance of serving and putting individuals first in our lives.

Let's look at what Mrs. Riis said what it was like to work in the church kitchen.

Questions:

How does working in the church kitchen impact your ministry?

Working in the church kitchen as the Food Service Director has given me an opportunity to  develop relationships with people from all walks of life. This enhances my ability to minister as a teacher and counselor. God uses those relationships to grow me.

What does working in the kitchen entail?

 I was originally hired to handle Funeral meals—a light luncheon served to family members and close friends when a member of our congregation dies. I now oversee all aspects of the Food Service Ministry: oversight of the kitchen, procurement of food and supplies, Senior Saint Luncheons, Wednesday Night Supper, Sunday Coffee, Special Church activities such as evangelistic meetings, Family Camp, Fourth of July, 5^th Sunday Fellowships, Weddings, Staff gatherings, school banquets and so on. Our Senior Pastor has referred to me as the “Church Mom”, and that is probably pretty accurate.

How many years have you been working in the church kitchen? Have there been improvement in the kitchen over those years?

I began working in the kitchen in August of 2005. This is my 9^th year in this ministry. We have done one fairly significant renovation, adding about 50 sq. ft. of floor space and 3 sinks. We have also added a commercial convection oven, a 20 qt mixer and a reach in freezer.  Many crew members have been certified in food safety by ServSafe.

What have you learned since working in the church kitchen (food techniques)? 

      

      When I started, I had never prepared a meal for a large group. My experience involved meals for up to 25 and appetizers for 50. I have needed to learn to plan for large groups, knife skills, management of commercial equipment, how to purchase (what to purchase!) from wholesalers…pretty much everything about food service. There is still a great deal that I don’t know. My food and equipment suppliers have helped me with many of these skills, and I read books and internet material all the time to try to improve.

      What is your favorite dish to make?

      

       I really like to bake, and cookies are  probably my favorite. Pies and cheesecakes are pretty high on the list, too. Bread makes people happy.

    

      How have you grown through this position (leadership traits, ministry focused)?

      I am gifted as a teacher, and God uses that gift to lead people to do things that they don’t think they can. I have grown in patience, and I have learned the importance of clarity in communication. The lesson of servant leadership is ongoing.  Nothing good happens in ministry if the Holy Spirit isn’t in control and the focus isn’t on glorifying God.