Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Penland.
Hi Christopher, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have been decorating cakes for over 20 years. Several years after I first started decorating cakes at home for my kids, I decided to take that passion a step further and became a Wilton Cake Decorating Instructor at a Michael’s Arts & Craft Store where after several months of teaching one of my students got me an interview to be a cake decorator at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. This led to a career path of creating wedding cakes, occasional cakes, restaurant-specific cakes and sweet treats.
During my time at Mandalay Bay, I took a promotion to Hubert Keller’s Fleur dy Lys as Assistant Pastry Chef. I then continued my career at the JW Marriott in Summerlin, Nevada.
My husband and I moved to South Tampa five years ago where my career led me to be the Catering Director at MacDill AFB. In 2019, I retired from the workforce due to a personal disability. In 2020, my husband and I bought a house here in Winter Haven where I decided to take all my knowledge, passion and share it with the community.
My Pastry Experience:
Pastry Chef – Doubletree by Hilton Asheville, NC
Cake Decorator – JW Marriott Summerlin, NV
Asst. Pastry Chef – Fleur de Lys Las Vegas, NV
Cake Decorator & Baker – Mandalay Bay Resort Las Vegas, NV
Pastry – Payard Patisserie Caesars Palace Las Vegas, NV
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Florida offers home-based bakers a wonderful opportunity to where we can do this at home without involvement of the local Health Department. I will say that when I created my logo using the Rainbow flag, I expected some amount of backlash using it on my business cards and banner that I use at outdoor events. I was shocked when I had to ladies ask to take their picture with my husband and I in front of the banner because of the Rainbow Flag.
What should we know?
My husband and I have been together 23 years, we have two daughters (Biological mine) and several grandchildren.
What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for?
Well according to one of my clients, “This was the first time I’ve ever had one of your cakes and OMGEEEEE- it was the best cake I’ve eaten in my entire life!!” I have received several of those types of remarks/comments.
What sets you apart from others?
One way is that I contact each and every client who ordered from me to ask how their experience was. When my clients order custom cakes, I also like to send a picture either as we go or one of the completed cakes to help drive excitement. Communication with my clients is key to me.
What are you most proud brand-wise?
That since my launch January 12, 2021 I have gained 651 FB Followers, received a 5 Star status on Google and gained the trust of my clients with several being repeat clients. One thing I refused to do throughout this whole process was pay to be put higher on the google search engine. I want to earn that business not from paying to be placed but through hard work and reviews.
What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc?
I offer fresh-baked, never frozen products. I never bake more than three days out from my client’s date of service. I also do not believe in price gouging when it comes to wedding cakes or delivery fees. Some of my items I offer include (but not all): Custom Cakes (Birthday, Anniversary, Smash), Wedding Cakes, Cupcakes, Cake Pops, Cookie Cakes, Cookies, Cookie Boxes, Breakfast Muffins, and so much more. My website TheBakeryGuy.com offers photos, menu selections, flavors & fillings, and a link to my online store for ordering and shipping.
Contact Info:
- Email: Chris@TheBakeryGuy.com
- Website: TheBakeryGuy.com
- Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisTheBakeryGuy
- Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/christhebakeryguy/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-bakery-guy-winter-haven?osq=the+bakery+guy
- SoundCloud: https://heybakeries.com/030776144/The_Bakery_Guy
- Other: https://thebakeryguy.square.site/
