We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angelique Vaccaro a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Angelique, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

When you grow up in France and you are 15 years old, you have to choose a path after middle school. Whether you go to high school or a professional school with specialties like Pastry school for example. When it was time for me to decide on my future, I didn’t know what I wanted to do or become. I had no idea. I thought It would give me more time to think about my career if I went to high school and then pick a specialty at the university… But life decided otherwise. Yes, I did go to high school, but I met my husband and we decided to get married right after I was done with it. My husband already had a plan for his future which was to move to the United States and finish his studies there. So I didn’t go to the university and we moved to America.

I did not speak English, I was not allowed to work, and I felt very isolated and lonely… I missed my family and French food! Comfort food was everything! I always liked to be in the kitchen, so I started making all the traditional French dishes and desserts I missed. It made me feel better, it made me happy.

After a few years, I eventually learned to speak English, and I made friends. When we had them over for meals, it was an opportunity for me to impress them with my French cooking skills! They loved all the dishes I cooked for them. They could have an authentic taste of France right here in America. Cooking and baking for my friends brought me so much joy!

I have a preference for baking so as soon as there was an occasion to make a dessert, I was there! Many people asked me to bake them birthday cakes, wedding cakes, cookies … Then, they started asking me for recipes. So I had the idea to have my own website where I would gather all my favorite recipes to share with them. This is when I realized I was worth something and that it was time to increase my knowledge.

I wanted to see if I could really do it by myself without going to school. I started making more difficult dishes. I liked the challenge. Failing was very frustrating, of course, but I kept trying. I learned to modify recipes, to add my own little twists. I taught myself everything by watching cooking shows, comparing recipes, asking my family members for advice… to eventually creating my own recipes.

I really enjoy being in the kitchen. I am passionate about food, and knowing that I can make someone happy through my gift, it makes me even happier! It feels very nice when people appreciate what you do and encourage you to keep going, especially when you don’t believe in yourself. This is a struggle sometimes. Feeling like you are not enough. That because you don’t have a degree, you are not that good… Fear is I think, the hardest battle to overcome. At least for me. It is a big obstacle. Fear makes me doubt myself. It brings me down even though I know I am good. It prevents me from improving. Fear kills my hopes and dreams. But only if I let it. Love is stronger though, and love attracts passion. I consider myself a passionate person. I might be weird, timid, insecure, but I am passionate and I love what I do. I will always love it even if I use my gift only for my family and friends. And this is enough! Everyday I have to remind myself that. I am enough!

I still have a lot to learn, I am no professional. And there is always room for improvement! But I am proud of what I have become and what I can accomplish today. Of course, I could have gone back to school to speed up my learning process or even get a degree, but I chose to raise my children instead, which is my most important achievement in life. If I had to go back to when I was 15, I would definitely have chosen the Pastry school path. But I don’t regret anything. I would not be who I am today if it were different!

I am actually seriously considering having my own business. I am waiting until the kids are more independent so I can fully focus on a plan. But a home business is what’s on my mind lately. And I would love to have my own cookbook too! It would be so amazing!

I am so excited about what’s waiting for me in the future. Learning about baking and cooking is such an amazing adventure, nothing can stop me now!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

To me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is JOY. Making people happy is what’s the most rewarding to me.

Being the person who makes someone’s day special by baking them a cake is amazing! Decorating Christmas cookies together with the neighbors and seeing their smiles is amazing! Helping a mom who doesn’t know how to bake by teaching her how to make a simple cake because her kids want to have a tea party is amazing! Making My French friends their favorite French dish because they feel homesick is amazing! Bringing joy to others brings me joy. It is the best reward!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I just love doing what I do, and my goal is to keep doing what I love. Making people happy and being happy myself is what counts the most. Love for others is what’s driving my creative journey. I have a big heart, and if I can share pieces of it with people who will appreciate it. It means everything to me!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://angeliquecooking.wix.com/french
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angeliquecooking
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/angeliquecooking/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0VQzfmuyboe78iI3jO3Ttg

Image Credits
Angelique Vaccaro Amandine Pacteau