Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolyn Hillyer.
Hi Carolyn, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been a baker for decades and always love creating and sharing through food. I became gluten-free and suddenly I wasn’t a great baker anymore…I couldn’t even make a decent cookie. I had to fix this and regain the part of me I lost. I started the long road to discovering what works in the early 2000’s. This is my constant journey, always striving to improve and share what I know. I use social media to bring my bakes and recipes to anyone who wants to learn.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are always struggles and changes I can’t foresee! To effectively share my recipes I had to learn how to film, edit, and photograph as well as revise and test recipes. It’s a lot of work but I just try to do my best to make my bakes tasty and look good too. Fails happen in the kitchen when you start changing key ingredients, so it’s just a given… but honestly, it still sometimes ruins my day.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a biologist by degree and used to work in biotech but my passion and talent has always been with food. I have no formal training but have spent my life reading cookbooks and playing with recipes to make them my own. Now, I make them tasty and gluten-free. I am known, at least in my small circle, to make gluten-free bakes that taste just like the ones with wheat. I am proud of being able to serve my bakes to all people and they don’t know they’re gluten-free. I am always searching for new recipes to try or ways to make a favorite recipe with the hottest new ingredient. My drive to create is pretty strong and maybe a bit weird but maybe it’s what makes me unique.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t believe in luck, timing is something else though and plays a big part in how much you succeed. I work hard, show up, and keep doing my best I will let you know how that goes!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chillybakesglutenfree.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chillybakesgf/profilecard/?igsh=dHUyZGdnOTAzczRv
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chillybakesgluten-free2239
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chilly-bakes-gluten-free/id1591251530
Image Credits
Images courtesy of Carolyn Hillyer