Season 3 Episode 11: Elise Smith, Winnie's Bakery

In this episode, the fantastic Elise Smith is gracing us with her presence. Elise, a renowned pastry chef and founder of Winnie's Bakery and oECo Studios, shares her delightful journey, heartfelt stories, and some insightful tips. Let's dive in!

Meet Elise Smith: The Pastry Prodigy

Elise Smith isn't just any pastry chef; she's the creative genius behind Winnie's Bakery and the eco-sustainable video production company, oECo Studios. With over 10 years in the food industry, she's not only a published recipe developer and food writer but also a television host. Elise's work has made it to prestigious platforms like People Magazine, Edible DC, PBS, and Baltimore Sun, just to name a few.

Fond Memories with Grandma

When asked about her fondest food memories, Elise's face lights up. The bond she shared with her "Nana" plays a vital role in her life and career. One unforgettable story is when her Nana taught her to make an apple tart. Little Elise was only six but was already brimming with enthusiasm. These moments not only ignited her passion but imprinted a love for baking that would last forever.

Baking as a Social Connector

Elise recounts her journey through childhood, where baking became her social glue. Being Type A, she often hyperfixated on her passions. Baking was a way to win friends and influence people—literally. Elise learned early that sharing baked goods was an excellent way to connect with others, even in school. From cookies for crushes (albeit failed swoons) to bringing intricate dishes to college, baking blended her love for culinary arts with social interaction seamlessly.

Challenges of Gluten-Free Baking

One of Elise's specialties is gluten-free baking—a domain where even experienced chefs can find themselves in deep waters. Her journey into this niche started with her mother’s gluten intolerance. Elise embarked on a mission to recreate her mom's favorite dishes, leading her to perfect several gluten-free recipes, including some still in progress, like gluten-free bagels.

The Recipe Development Process

Elise shares that recipe development can be both painstaking and joyous. While seven attempts on a crepe recipe might sound impressive to some, for Elise, it felt like a marathon. The key? Patience and setting things aside when they're just not working out. Sometimes, giving a recipe some breathing room is all it takes.

Working with Publications and Clients

Creating recipes for publications comes with its own set of pressures and challenges. Elise underscores the importance of having a solid, realistic timeline and budget. Misunderstandings and unrealistic expectations from clients can add layers of stress, but setting boundaries and clear communication can help navigate these tricky waters.

Balancing Work and Life

Balancing professional commitments and personal life is crucial yet challenging in the food media industry. Elise shares her strategies for managing workloads, emphasizing the necessity of setting boundaries. Recognizing burnout and knowing when to take a step back is essential for sustaining long-term success.

Navigating Free Work in the Industry

Elise offers sage advice for those starting in the industry. While some believe that free work should never be done, Elise acknowledges its value in specific contexts, especially for building a portfolioand making connections. The key is to know when it's beneficial for your career and when it’s just undervaluing your time and skills.

Building a Sense of Community

Elise stresses the importance of creating a supportive network within the industry. Whether it's reaching out to vendors, making connections at events, or just saying hi at your local coffee shop, building a community can open doors to opportunities you might never have found otherwise.

Challenges in Food Media

Food media has dramatically evolved in the past decade. Elise points out that the oversaturation and rapid turnover of trends have made the industry much more competitive and less sustainable. The advent of social media has democratized content creation but often at the expense of quality and expertise.

Adapting to Industry Changes

While the landscape of food media continues to shift, adaptability is crucial. Elise suggests a collaborative approach, where content creators and culinary experts can work together, akin to having a stunt double in movies. Although not ideal, it may serve as a temporary solution to align industry needs with authentic content creation.

Personal Stories and Opportunities

Elise's personal stories encapsulate her essence—resilient, hardworking, and ever-curious. From a cancer diagnosis to forging a meaningful connection with Joanna Gaines, Elise’s journey is a testament to shooting your shot and never shying away from opportunities.

Stay connected with Elise through her active Instagram presence at Winnie's Bakery. Follow her journey and get inspired by her stories, recipes, and her ever-evolving contributions to the culinary world.

You can watch each episode, in its video version, on YouTube here.
Follow on Instagram for some behind the scenes and short form content here.
Listen to each episode as a podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.