Season 3 Episode 13: Kelli Marks, Pastry Chef
In a delightful mix of artistry and culinary expertise, pastry chef Kelli Marks shares her journey and passions in an engaging interview. Kelli, a pastry chef and cookbook author who has been baking for almost 20 years, brings a fresh perspective to the table with her experience as a bakery owner, restaurant co-owner, and private chef.
The Perfect Replacement for Celebration Cakes
If cakes weren't synonymous with celebrations, what other pastry would she choose? Kelli's immediate thought is pies due to their versatility, but she settles on ice cream sundaes for their fun and creative possibilities.
"I think my answer would be ice cream sundaes," says Kelli. She imagines an elaborate ice cream station with different flavors and toppings, making it a delightful substitute for traditional celebration cakes.
Creating the Ultimate Ice Cream Sundae
Kelli enthusiastically describes her ideal ice cream sundae setup, complete with flavors like vanilla and a decadent brown butter bourbon ice cream. Sprung admires Kelli's approach to elevating classic dessert elements with unique twists, such as using inclusion-filled ice creams and a variety of sophisticated toppings like ganache, salted caramel, and candied pecans.
From Art to Pastry: A Seamless Transition
Kelli's artistic background played a crucial role in her transition to cake decorating. She explains how her skills in painting and drawing translate to creating visually stunning cakes. Kelli even hired an artist with no baking experience to decorate sugar cookies, underscoring her belief that artistry can complement culinary skills effectively.
Leveraging Social Media for Baking Success
Social media, particularly TikTok, has been a game-changer for Kelli. She uses her platform not only to promote her cookbook, "Easy One Bowl Baking," but also to share her vast knowledge on baking and running a bakery. Her videos cover a wide range of topics, from recipe creation to behind-the-scenes stories from her bakery days.
One notable video that gained significant traction detailed her unique method for stacking wedding cakes, demonstrating her expertise and innovative approach.
Navigating Social Media Criticism
While social media has its perks, it also brings challenges. Kelli shares her experience with negative comments, particularly around her cake stacking video where she faced criticism for not wearing gloves. Despite this, Kelli remains steadfast in her educational mission, choosing to block negative terms and focus on providing value to her followers.
The Gold Microwave Incident
Kelli Marks's venture into TikTok began with a quirky DIY project that surprisingly garnered a lot of attention. She painted her microwave gold to match her new kitchen appliances, expecting a few people to find it cute. However, the video went viral and received mixed reactions. While many admired her creativity, others were harsh with their criticism, describing her work as "tacky" or "disgusting." This unexpected response gave Kelli a firsthand experience of the intensity and vitriol that can accompany viral social media content.
"I also had thousands of people tell me that I was tacky and that I was terrible and that it was disgusting and gold is gross," Kelli recalls. Despite the negative feedback, the video inspired some followers to replicate her project, proving that her creativity resonated with many.
Competing in Pastry Competitions
Kelli's competitive spirit led her to enter local and national pastry competitions. Despite facing challenges like forgetting sugar in her curd during one competition, Kelli's resilience and quick thinking helped her recover and succeed. She won multiple awards, including a bronze medal at Nationals, solidifying her status as one of the best pastry chefs in the country.
"I am the second-best pastry chef in the country. So, I can't feel too bad about that," Kelli proudly shares.
Social Media Plugs
Kelli's journey is a testament to the power of passion and adaptability. From bakery owner to social media influencer, she continues to inspire and educate her followers with authentic content. To follow Kelli's delicious creations and insightful tips, check out her TikTok (@Kelli_Marks), Instagram and Facebook (SweetLoveBakes).
Kelli Marks's story is a blend of creativity, resilience, and the ability to adapt to new platforms and challenges. As she continues to bake, create, and share her knowledge, her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring chefs and artists alike. Don’t forget to follow her on social media to stay updated with her latest projects and culinary adventures.
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