Archive for People
Holiday Food Sampling
Holiday Food Sampling Gluten Free Grocery 2009
Last Saturday, Becky and I loaded the “big ride” filled with delicious gluten free and dairy free Holiday pies for a wonderful Holiday sampling at the Gluten Free Grocery(http://gfgrocery.com/) in Westchester, IL. We had a blast! Meet Cindy Erwin, proprietor, of the Gluten Free Grocery. She has a really cool shop and wonderful customers. Apple’s Bakery is so proud to be a Holiday partner with Cindy and her customers. Several have pre-ordered Holiday desserts. Thank you to all for the supportive comments for our work in the gluten free community. We wish you the safest and most enjoyable Thanksgiving with family and friends.
Mary and Becky
Enterprising Women
Last month I traveled to Lake Buena Vista, Florida to be honored at the 2009 Enterprising Women of the Year Awards. The magazine recognizes entrepreneurial women from all over North America, and I was given an award in the “Up to $1 Million in Annual Revenues” category. Here I am pictured with other award winners Laura Lee Williams, Ann Kayman, and Patricia Massey.
The Richness of a Baking Friendship
Each and every work day, delicious gluten-free bakery products are produced in our dedicated gluten-free kitchen, not only for the Apple’s staff to munch during coffee breaks, but for you, our customers, to enjoy with family and friends. As a professional baker, my personal contact with you, our family of customers, is often limited to the point of purchase. I’m thrilled on those occasions when I can share a conversation with a customer, often while they’re enjoying one of my cookies. I realize how rich my life is, not because of new recipes or ingredients, but from the friendships I’ve created through my baked goods.
It brings me great pleasure to introduce my friend Estelle Chandler, Apple’s Bakery’s new gluten-free kitchen Vice President of Sales and Celiac. As an epicurean baker and 22-year gluten-free celiac, Estelle has been instrumental in honing our gluten-free formulas so they’re the best in taste.
Prior to Apple’s, Estelle worked as a consultant and vice president of research and development for a leading food company. She is licensed with ServSafe Certification Management Training and certified in Food Service Sanitation by both the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Estelle also worked for retail giants Nordstrom and Banana Republic, and her results-oriented sales approach created record sales accomplishments while delivering the best customer service to her clients. It will be Estelle’s initial primary role to develop the vendor relation program between Apple’s Bakery’s gluten-free kitchen and Chicagoland’s Treasure Island Foods.
Estelle and I are passionate about taking care of people - especially those with food intolerances. We believe your mouth will dance in delight while enjoying our gluten-free “smiles made from scratch.” I am a firm believer that taste and friendship make a person’s life rich and full. As an individual, I am blessed to have been granted both in my life. As a business owner, I am blessed to offer both to you. Here’s to believing in great taste.