We recently connected with Jenn Meek and have shared our conversation below.
Jenn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I learned to decorate cookies by A LOT of trial and error! At first it was all self-taught and then I discovered that there are a lot of talented cookie decorators that teach intermediate and advanced skills online. I have taken quite a few intermediate and advanced decorating classes!
It is important to start with a solid cookie recipe – one that is delicious and doesn’t spread/keeps its shape when baking. The next essential skill is not only knowing how to make royal icing, but learning which consistency of icing works best for what you are trying to achieve. What I have found most beneficial, is learning all the different techniques and skills which makes designing and creating even more fun and interesting!
The biggest obstacle is time and life balance. I work full time as a cardiac electrophysiology nurse and have two young boys (Grayson & Chase) so balancing everything and having the discipline to take breaks and schedule time to learn new skills is a challenge.
Jenn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I started Gray & Chase Baking Co after a friend told me that a sugar cookie I made for her was the most delicious sugar cookie she has ever had and adamantly suggested I sell decorated sugar cookies! Grayson at the time was 2 years old and he was already in the kitchen with me “helping” me mix, dump, and of course taste test! So when we decided to start our business, of course we had to name it after our two sons, Gray & Chase. Our first cookie sale was on Valentine’s day in 2020 and it was a huge success. If I remember correctly, we made over 20 dozen cookies!
I don’t have the typical story of learning to bake from my mom and grandma. I am super envious of people that have that experience! My mom was a well known baker and she died when I was 22 years old. I never met my mom’s mom as she died before I was born and my dad’s mom died when I was 5 years old. When my mom passed away, I immersed myself in the kitchen learning all the recipes she made for our family and that I loved so much. It was and still is part of my grieving process. When I am in the kitchen, I feel as though she is with me. Both Grayson and Chase love to help me bake and cook so it makes it extra special to teach them what I know and to see their love of food evolve and develop each time.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a cookie artist is seeing the happiness that cookies bring to people! Also, having a vision in my mind and making it come to life is also very satisfying.
Have you ever had to pivot?
When I first started our cookie business, it started at 190 miles per hour and I jumped in head first. Two years in I realized that running a business full time, working in healthcare full time (during a pandemic to boot) and raising 2 young boys was a lot on my plate. Luckily, I have a very supportive husband who is very active in our business. He is now in charge of making dough, running our edible printer, and our 3D printer in which we use to make our own cookie cutters. I don’t feel that all the weight falls on me now and this truly is a family business!
Contact Info:
- Website: grayandchasebakingco.com
- Instagram: grayandchasebakingco
- Facebook: grayandchasebakingco