​

A picture of my grandpa, "Opa", and me on my birthday. Once again gathered around a table, eating." 

​

One of my first memories as a child was my father encouraging me to count out loud the number of cups or teaspoons he was putting into a recipe as he measured out ingredients. I truly believed I was being the most helpful daughter by reminding him how many 1/4 teaspoons of salt he mixed into his dough or dry rub. In reality he was slowly but surely teaching me the fractions and the chemical processes that take place in the kitchen.

Being one in five daughters, and one in forty six grand children, most of the time I spent with my family was split between making food, eating food, waiting to make food, suffering from a food coma after we ate too much food, etc. Food has always brought my family together and I hope that Vander Sweets can do that for other families too. 

I started baking when I was ten years old when my Uncle asked me to help him make a cheesecake. It has been a love affair ever since. I studied Culinary arts at the Kirkwood Hotel in Cedar Rapids and received my pastry certification. To further my education I studied in Florence for a month with Michelin-starred chefs as part of a James Beard affiliated university while eating every croissant I could get my hands on, of course! When I returned home I entered a cake competition on a whim, and I actually won! I knew then and there I could take the cake! 

Now I hope to spread sweetness by making whatever you imagine into one of my creations. Cakes, bars, cookies, cupcakes, candies -- you name it! If you need something fancy for a special celebration or just want to indulge on some chocolatey goodness for yourself, either way I think you should treat yourself. And what better way than by letting me take care of it all?

​

​

​

​

 

​