We recently connected with Delilah Veliz and have shared our conversation below.

Delilah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?

As a young teenager, I felt an undeniable pull toward baking—a deep, heartfelt desire to create pastries that would bring joy to others. The act of crafting something from scratch, something beautiful and delicious, felt like a calling. I knew then that I wanted to become a pastry chef, and I began researching culinary schools across the country, dreaming of the day I could step into a kitchen at a world-renowned institution. But there was one school that stood above all others in my heart—the Culinary Institute of America in New York. From the moment I discovered it, my passion for baking grew into something stronger, something I could no longer ignore.

I poured over brochures, rereading them over and over, and even created my first business card—D’s Sweets—knowing that this would be my path. I was so proud of that card, and I couldn’t wait to share it with my parents. I remember the moment so clearly—walking in the door after school and showing it to my mom. Her excitement matched mine; she even hung it on the fridge, a small but meaningful gesture of support. But it was my dad’s response that I’ll never forget. He looked at the card, smiled, and then told me that baking wasn’t a “real” career. He said I needed to focus on something that would provide me with a “real job” and “real money.” In that moment, I felt my dreams crumble. His words hit harder than I ever expected. I took down my business card, tucked away my brochures, and buried the idea of baking for years to come.

For a long time, I lost sight of what made me come alive. I didn’t know what I wanted to do after high school because nothing else spoke to me the way baking did. But life has a way of leading you back to where you’re meant to be. A few years later, my high school offered a half-day culinary vocational course, and something inside me sparked again. I eagerly enrolled, and the moment I stepped into Chef Jackie’s class, my love for baking reignited. I felt the thrill of learning the art and science of pastry, and even competed in a baking competition, making it all the way to state. But as much as I loved it, a voice—my dad’s voice—still lingered in my mind, reminding me that “baking isn’t a real career.”

Fast forward more than a decade, and here I am, finally pursuing my baking dream. I’m juggling a full-time job, finishing my MBA, and being a mother and wife, but I’m doing it—for ME. I’m doing it for the little girl who was told her passion wasn’t enough. I’m doing it for the woman I’ve become, the one who knows her worth and is willing to fight for her dreams, no matter how long it takes.

It hasn’t been an easy journey, but it has been worth every step. And now, I’m ready to show the world that baking—my baking—is not just a dream, it’s a *real* career, a real passion, and a real way to make a difference. I’m doing this, not just for myself, but for everyone who ever told me “no,” because I know now that my dreams are mine to pursue, and no one can take them away.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am the daughter of a resilient mother and a strong-willed father. I’m the funniest sister (if I do say so myself!) to two incredibly determined siblings. I am a wife to the most selfless and loving husband, and a mother to an amazingly smart, artistic, and hilarious son. Above all, I am a Mexican-American woman, a proud first-generation college graduate. I am determined, optimistic, hardworking, and, yes, stubborn when it comes to pursuing what I believe in. And my love language? Food—both savory and sweet. There’s something magical about how a meal or a dessert can make you feel, and that’s a feeling I’m honored to share with others.

My journey toward my craft began in high school, when I enrolled in a half-day culinary vocational program. It was there that I stepped into my first commercial kitchen and began learning the ins and outs of the culinary world. But more importantly, it was there that my passion for baking was truly ignited. I’ll never forget the sounds and smells of the kitchen—the rhythmic whir of mixers, the warm, comforting aroma of fresh-baked cookies, breads, and cakes. That was the moment I knew, with certainty, that baking was my calling.

One of the most defining moments of my culinary journey came when I had the honor of making my aunt’s wedding cake—a three-tier mandarin orange cake with buttercream frosting. As a high schooler, I was entrusted with one of the most important elements of a wedding celebration. It was overwhelming and exciting all at once, but when the cake was revealed at the reception, I knew it was something special. Spoiler alert: it was a hit, and my family still requests it for celebrations more than a decade later!

Living in a border town, I’m proud to offer a range of baked goods that bring joy to diverse palates—everything from conchas, with their sweet, crumbly topping, to cinnamon rolls, cookies (because cookies are a love language on their own!), muffins, pies, and sweet loaves. I always welcome special requests from my customers, eager to help make their events even more unforgettable.

There’s no greater satisfaction than hearing that something I created brought joy to someone’s life. Each time a customer tells me how much they enjoyed my baked goods, I know I’ve poured my heart and passion into something that made a difference. And that, to me, is priceless. Every item I bake carries not only the ingredients but the love and care I put into it—a piece of my heart in every bite.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

We have the power to ignite the spark of creativity in our children and open doors to their limitless potential. By nurturing their minds and encouraging them to explore various forms of art, we give them the opportunity to discover what truly resonates with their hearts. This exploration not only helps them find their passions but also allows them to experience the joy of self-expression.

As a society, we must invest in arts programs in public schools, especially for those in underserved communities. Many children don’t have the same opportunities to engage with the arts in school, limiting their chance to tap into their creative potential.

I know this from experience. Growing up in an underserved community, the culinary vocational program was my gateway to discovering my love for baking. Without it, I might never have realized my passion, nor would I have gained the hands-on skills that would shape my future. It was there that I learned the craft of a commercial kitchen at a young age, building a foundation that would eventually lead me to a passion I cherish.

During the pandemic, as a middle school teacher, I sought to provide a sense of connection and joy for my students through a virtual cooking club. I wanted to inspire them in a time of uncertainty, and more importantly, to bring families together. My love language has always been food, and it was through cooking that I could connect with my students and their families. We met weekly, in the evening, to allow working parents to join in and help their children. I made sure to select recipes that were affordable and meaningful to my own family, from salsas and huevos rancheros to tacos and lasagna.

The joy of watching families cook together — parents, grandparents, and children — was an experience I will treasure forever. Seeing the excitement in the students as they engaged in the kitchen, and the gratitude from families for creating such meaningful moments, was deeply fulfilling.

This is why it’s crucial that we provide all students, no matter their background, with the chance to explore different forms of art, cultivate their curiosity, and discover their own passions. The sense of belonging and the joy of shared experience that I saw in those virtual cooking sessions is something that every school should strive to offer. Let’s ensure that every child has the opportunity to find what lights them up and build a future filled with passion, creativity, and community.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The driving force behind my creative journey is simple: pursue what makes you truly happy. Never settle for less than what you know you deserve. Each of us is on a personal quest to find and create our own happiness, even if it isn’t understood by others. Embrace the possibility of failure, because failure is part of the process—but don’t ever fear trying, for that is the greatest loss. Every setback is an opportunity to learn, adjust, and try again. Create what fuels your passion, and pour your full potential into it. Your dream is yours alone to discover, and when you do, it becomes a powerful, unshakable part of you—something no one can ever take away.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hotplate.com/dees_sweets
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dees_sweets_0816/#
• Other: Email: [email protected]