Twenty-two years ago I began designing and baking cakes. However, fifteen of those years were devoted to raising three daughters and working as the Food Services Manager of Calvary Church in Charlotte, NC. My "little girls" are all adults and pursuing careers of their own now. This was a factor in helping me make the decision to "answer the call" to create cakes again and follow my orignal passion, the art of cake baking and design.
If you were to ask me to pinpoint exactly what inspired me to want to bake and decorate cakes, it would be difficult for me to give you a quick answer. When sitting down to honestly think about it, I guess I would have to trace it back to my mother and both of my grandmothers. My own mother would be the last one to admit it, but she is an excellent cook.
My grandmother on my father's side (Minnie Belle to most - Mammaw to us kids) lived with us during most of my childhood and she loved to bake. I have fond memories of the awesome coconut cake she used to make. It was to "live" for!
I remember Mammaw buying the whole coconuts, hammering a nail into one of the "eyes" , then draining the coconut milk out to set aside for later use. Next she would break the coconut apart into large chunks with the hammer, cut the coconut meat away from the shell, then hand grate it. I can smell the aroma of that fresh coconut right now! Then she would whip real, heavy cream and slather that topped with the freshly grated coconut between at least six layers of previously baked, soft, moist, yellow cake, finishing it off with a thick coating of the whipped cream, fresh coconut and a stemmed maraschino cherry plopped right into the center of the cake. Ummmm, ummmm! It was so delicious.
My "Grandma Cozy" (her last name was Cousart) made a wonderful, rich and delicious Red Velvet Cake with yummy Cream Cheese Icing at Christmas time. I loved going to her home over the holidays and always looked forward to getting a piece of that cake.
I am sure those experiences set the stage for what was to come and led to the "stepping stones" that have helped to lead me to my business today. If you care to keep reading, my career background follows:
Early 1970's
Career in the hospitality field at Hilton Head Island, SC. Worked for the Sea Pines Plantation Company in their Reservations Department at the William Hilton Inn.
Late 70's - Early 80's
Became the mother of three beautiful daughters.
Early 80's
Hired by the original owner of The Morehead Inn as the Assistant Manager and Social Functions Coordinator. Met with bride's to coordinate their weddings and receptions to be held at The Morehead Inn and also met with the various approved caterers to assist in the bride's menu planning and other details. (I was later recruited and hired by Eli's Catering, one of the caterer's I dealt with on a regular basis at The Morehead Inn.)
Mid 80's
Sucessfully started my own full-service catering business, "Victoria's Fancy Catering". The Morehead Inn became one of my regular accounts. Spent almost three years catering breakfasts, brunches, luncheons, delivered boxed lunches to businesses, cocktail parties, wedding receptions, etc. I'm not sure I slept at all during those three years! It began to affect my home life and I had to make a change.
Late 80's
Began to phase out of full-service catering due to the demands of being a single mom. When an opportunity opened, I joined Mecklenburg Bridal Gallery at Cotswold Mall as a part-time Sales Associate. I learned I had a desire to create cakes. Working at the bridal shop allowed me to continue my study and practice of designing, baking and decorating. While most of my training came from studying and practicing on my own... late at night... after the girls had gone to sleep... I also took a basic decorating course through JC Penney with supplemental classes at another location with instruction on using rolled fondant icings, gum paste flower design and piping royal icings. When the Owner/Operator of Mecklenburg Bridal became aware of my "other skill", she insisted that I prepare a cake for sampling in a Bridal Fair. It was a HUGE SUCCESS!
Early 90's
Raising my three young daughters took prioirity and the desire to have a cake business became secondary. Spending more time with my daughters, as well as being able to properly provide for them was most important. Making cakes was fun, I loved creating them, but I wasn't making a living doing them. In order to have steady income and health insurance benefits, I sought God's direction regarding my career. Through answers to prayer, I accepted an offer for permanent, long-term employment.
1992
was the beginning of what was to become a 15 year long career with Calvary Church. I was recruited by Pat Collins, the Director of Calvary Child Development Center and went to work as the Kitchen Manager for the Daycare/Preschool Kitchen where I planned menus, ordered and oversaw the preparation of food for approximately 300 children and approximately 50 staff each day. During this time I continued to "dabble" in my cake art for family and friends.
In 1996
I was offered a promotion and became the Food Services Manager over the Main Banquet Kitchen which is equipped to prepare foods for events serving up to 1000 people. That same year I married James E. ( Eddie) Moore. This month we will have been happily married for 11 years.
In 2000
I was given an additional promotion and became the Food Services Manager for the entire church, taking the responsibility of managing both of the Calvary kitchens. During this time I also created and developed the catering division of Calvary Food Services, coming up with the name "Divinely Delicious Catering". We catered everything from brunches, luncheons, buffet receptions to formal, seated dinners with tuxedo service! Part of my responsibilities included meeting with the brides to plan their wedding receptions and covered all the details from A to Z.
So, that leads me to where I am today!
The dream of returning to my original passion and art remained in my heart. God has truly blessed me and my family and I praise Him for the many opportunities and blessings He has graced me with and the new ones I pray He will send my way.
"The Lord is righteous in all His ways and gracious and merciful in all His works."
PSALM 145:17
