Getting Into the Swing of Things

This week has been crazy busy as JB 45 enters the “building”!! As we get started, it tends to feel overwhelming: dusting out the cobwebs as folks get back into learning and doing homework, on top of the constant onslaught of emails from Jaclyn while we all get situated- it can feel like it never ends. But here we are, the first Friday of the group, and we all made it through!!

We have six new students ready to take on the Just Bakery program and we are very excited to introduce them to you. Each of our new students have written a little bit about themselves so you can start getting to know them, much as we have spent the week getting to know each other. At the end, Kim and Marlene will show you what they’ve been working on in the kitchen!

JB 45:

“Hi my name is Marlon. I like to cook in my free time or do a little reading. I first started the just bakery class because of one of my friends was talking about it and it sounded right up my alley. One of my dreams is to have a food truck one day, and because of covid19 I thought this might be the right time to pick up my skills some more and go back to school so when it’s all done I can start it. So I hope by taking this class I can accomplish that.”

“My name Nicola, I’m a 36 years old mother of six. I came to the United States from England when I was 6. I heard about this program through my caseworker at Project Respect, and decided to apply for it since I love to bake and cook. With my background, its hard for me to find a good paying job so with this program I hope I can get my foot in the door and on the right path to having a good future for myself and my family.”

“I am a 38 yr old, divorced, mother of two with an appetite for great food and continued learning. As my children are getting older and my youngest is now in high school, I have decided to invest in myself. After a couple very traumatic years, including but not limited to multiple family deaths, divorce, domestic violence, and unstable living situations, the idea of Just Bakery was offered to me via third party. I have always wanted to open my own café with a unique twist. With supporting my families person growth, my personal growth has always suffered. I have become much more self aware within the last couple years and realized I was the only thing standing in my way. I hope to learn the skill set via Just Bakery and the associated programs to reach my short and long terms goals as well as instilling positive and healthy habits.”

“Hi everyone! My name is Amy and I am a new student this semester and I’m so excited to be a part of this program. I am 44 years old and I have no children. I am quite new to Madison but have lived in Wisconsin all of my life. I found a love for baking and decorating cakes just over the last couple of years when I began making cakes and goodies for my church in Baraboo where I used to live. I learned of the Just Bakery Program while I was going through the Culinary Creations Program back in January where I earned my ServSafe Certificate, and I’ve been talking about it ever since. I ended up getting a job upon completion of Culinary Creations as a Bookkeeper, and although it was not a bad one, it was certainly not what I saw myself doing and enjoying indefinitely. I knew that the Just Bakery Program was pretty intense and that I could not work and be in the program at the same time, so I quit my job and was accepted into this semester’s cohort. In my spare time, I love doing anything artistic and crafty such as painting and crocheting, reading and writing, spending time in nature, baking and cooking, and I am a huge animal lover. My goal upon completion of the program is to enroll into the Baking Program at Madison Area Technical College so that I can learn how to decorate cakes and such. After that, I see myself finding part-time employment in a Bakery Department where I am able to utilize my artistic skills and create one of a kind cakes.”

That’s four of our six so make sure to check back next week to meet Sarah and Cordillia!

Marlene and Kim had a busy time in the kitchen this week learning the art of biscotti, kringles, and pumpkin bread! Kim said this about this week, “Yesterday we had a good day, and we did it again today so we know it’s not a fluke. We’re droppin it like it’s hot!”