Love this from Wisconsin. If this writing is any indication, we will all want more! Also as a child of a family that owned a bakery, I FEEL YOU. There was no off time ever. It was magical as a young child but I also saw the heartache. Can’t wait to see what is next!
Congratulations, figuring out what you wanna do is so peaceful 🫶🏻 would you consider sharing your cake recipes and bringing a fee based subscription model here
Thank you! I've definitely been considering it, but I suspect the paid subscription model on substack may be rapidly becoming oversaturated - I think I need to make sure I have a unique product before going down that route!
Congratulations on your new journey!! I can't wait to see what comes next.
I got to eat your cake once - my partner and I were in New Orleans to celebrate my 25th birthday, and ordered a couple slices from your slice Saturday event. It was storming, so we sat at right there at the bar in the food and beverage museum, sharing the (transcendently delicious) cake, drinking a couple of heavily poured G+Ts. It was one of my loveliest ever birthdays.
I love everything about this and I am so proud for you as you make this declaration and follow your gut. 40 was also a moment like that for me and it can be so hard to unlearn the noise we’ve grown up swimming inside of which says that if you’re good at something and it makes you money, you must keep doing it at whatever cost. I was just yesterday talking to my therapist about values re-alignment and how counter-cultural it can be to actually live by your true values, not just give them lip service. It’s inspiring to read about and hear from others who are on their own journeys with respect to this alignment and who are brave enough to share transparently about what the experience feels like from the inside. Changing the narrative one newsletter at a time! 💙
What a wonderful perspective - I love this so much! It's so weird trying to unlearn the noise of capitalism and strike out after 40 - it's borderline embarrassing and I can't for the life of me figure out why it feels this way sometimes.
Big love and hugs! Been a follower for some time and literally the moving truck left our house a couple of hours ago. FINALLY I'm coming home to New Orleans and was hoping to order a celebratory cake from you for that reason. And also because my big sister is coming back home next month after living abroad. We haven't lived in the same state for nearly three decades. Here's where our stories collide. She felt like her window of opportunity was closing. FAST. Living overseas had been her dream since Grad school. Being closer to retirement age than Grad school aged, she sold her house, her car and almost everything she owned, took what savings she had and went. Best decision ever. I closed my small bakery business a little over a year ago because it simply wasn't fun anymore. The innovation and creativity isn't appreciated in the State we're moving out of. Plus, my spouse was very ill and needed care. So, absolutely follow what YOU feel is right. People who have been in those shoes understand. When you're free to be passionate, create without boundaries, it's magical!
I’m so sad I won’t be able to try any of your cakes, but I am so proud of you for this decision! I’m also thankful for you - just reading about what you baked has been a lovely source of inspiration for me. 🎂❤️
You continue to inspire me not just through the work of your hands but through the work of your spirit ✨ rooting for you as you begin this new chapter. Thank you for your vulnerability and courage.
It is uplifting to know that you have come to terms with yourself. You are a creative caker and you write well; two elements of many parts of you. How exciting for you and all of us too. I am looking into the Milk Street class and i am looking forward to continued writings from you. All the best and deep respect Bronwen. Thanks for this.
Your newsletter is one of my favorites to read, start to finish. We are needing more authentic voices in media and I really believe you'll be successful. I totally understand the burnout that comes with serving the public and having to constantly respond to demands for your time and energy in the spirit of "customer service" (that said, I'm still beyond delighted that we were able to snag a cake for our wedding in December 2022, it was a detail I fixated on ever since I came across your cake flavor combos and lovely compositions). Cheering you on, keep us updated- we'll read it all!
I'm so glad I got to bake for you! It's truly been a delight to spend my time this way for so long, even as it's drawing to a close! And thank you for your kind words.
Love this from Wisconsin. If this writing is any indication, we will all want more! Also as a child of a family that owned a bakery, I FEEL YOU. There was no off time ever. It was magical as a young child but I also saw the heartache. Can’t wait to see what is next!
Thank you so much! Something tells me being a freelance writer might not have much time off either but excited to give it a shot.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! This is a thrill. If you ever want to talk about food writing (though I’ve always been a scrappy freelancer), I’m here.
Thank you so much! I'll definitely be reaching out - this is so kind.
So happy for you!! Wishing you all the best and can’t wait to read more of your work!
Thank you so much Teresa!
Congratulations, figuring out what you wanna do is so peaceful 🫶🏻 would you consider sharing your cake recipes and bringing a fee based subscription model here
Thank you! I've definitely been considering it, but I suspect the paid subscription model on substack may be rapidly becoming oversaturated - I think I need to make sure I have a unique product before going down that route!
Congratulations on your new journey!! I can't wait to see what comes next.
I got to eat your cake once - my partner and I were in New Orleans to celebrate my 25th birthday, and ordered a couple slices from your slice Saturday event. It was storming, so we sat at right there at the bar in the food and beverage museum, sharing the (transcendently delicious) cake, drinking a couple of heavily poured G+Ts. It was one of my loveliest ever birthdays.
Wishing you joy and ease during this transition!
Oh I love this memory! Thank you so much for sharing, and thank you for your kind words.
congratulations!!
be happy, you have made others happy - take the time for yourself!!
maura
Thank you so much! Looking forward to what's next.
I love everything about this and I am so proud for you as you make this declaration and follow your gut. 40 was also a moment like that for me and it can be so hard to unlearn the noise we’ve grown up swimming inside of which says that if you’re good at something and it makes you money, you must keep doing it at whatever cost. I was just yesterday talking to my therapist about values re-alignment and how counter-cultural it can be to actually live by your true values, not just give them lip service. It’s inspiring to read about and hear from others who are on their own journeys with respect to this alignment and who are brave enough to share transparently about what the experience feels like from the inside. Changing the narrative one newsletter at a time! 💙
What a wonderful perspective - I love this so much! It's so weird trying to unlearn the noise of capitalism and strike out after 40 - it's borderline embarrassing and I can't for the life of me figure out why it feels this way sometimes.
Big love and hugs! Been a follower for some time and literally the moving truck left our house a couple of hours ago. FINALLY I'm coming home to New Orleans and was hoping to order a celebratory cake from you for that reason. And also because my big sister is coming back home next month after living abroad. We haven't lived in the same state for nearly three decades. Here's where our stories collide. She felt like her window of opportunity was closing. FAST. Living overseas had been her dream since Grad school. Being closer to retirement age than Grad school aged, she sold her house, her car and almost everything she owned, took what savings she had and went. Best decision ever. I closed my small bakery business a little over a year ago because it simply wasn't fun anymore. The innovation and creativity isn't appreciated in the State we're moving out of. Plus, my spouse was very ill and needed care. So, absolutely follow what YOU feel is right. People who have been in those shoes understand. When you're free to be passionate, create without boundaries, it's magical!
Thank you so much for sharing this story! Living abroad is another dream of mine - crossing my fingers there's still time for it all.
I’m so sad I won’t be able to try any of your cakes, but I am so proud of you for this decision! I’m also thankful for you - just reading about what you baked has been a lovely source of inspiration for me. 🎂❤️
Thank you so much!
You continue to inspire me not just through the work of your hands but through the work of your spirit ✨ rooting for you as you begin this new chapter. Thank you for your vulnerability and courage.
You are so kind - thank you so much for this encouragement!
It is uplifting to know that you have come to terms with yourself. You are a creative caker and you write well; two elements of many parts of you. How exciting for you and all of us too. I am looking into the Milk Street class and i am looking forward to continued writings from you. All the best and deep respect Bronwen. Thanks for this.
Oh I'm looking forward to having you in class! Thank you so much for signing up, I think it will be really fun.
Good luck!!! Excited to follow your writing :)
Thank you!! Very inspired by your example!
Genuinely excited for your next steps!!
Congratulations on following tour calling. I admire your courage and look forward to reading whatever you write. I love your style of writing.
Thank you Maria!
Your newsletter is one of my favorites to read, start to finish. We are needing more authentic voices in media and I really believe you'll be successful. I totally understand the burnout that comes with serving the public and having to constantly respond to demands for your time and energy in the spirit of "customer service" (that said, I'm still beyond delighted that we were able to snag a cake for our wedding in December 2022, it was a detail I fixated on ever since I came across your cake flavor combos and lovely compositions). Cheering you on, keep us updated- we'll read it all!
I'm so glad I got to bake for you! It's truly been a delight to spend my time this way for so long, even as it's drawing to a close! And thank you for your kind words.
So much love to you! Wishing you the absolute best and can't wait to see what's next.