About Me
Sue Winkler, Owner
I learned how to bake and cook standing next to my mom in our kitchen in Southern California. From that young age, I continued to learn mostly on my own, but with a few mentors along the way.
When it was time for college, my dad helped me decide that I wanted to be a Home Economics teacher. I attended Southern Utah University and earned an Associates degree in Interior Design and a Bachelors degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education with a minor in Art. Quite a combo!
My first job was teaching foods, sewing and Art in Junior High in Davis County. I then moved to a high school where I taught Interior Design, Foods and Culinary Arts. In this position I worked and trained with chefs. My students and I ran a restaurant in the high school and we also trained for competitions with other Culinary Arts students. I also worked on my cake decorating skills and started my own cake business.
I decided I wanted to go back to school to become a Principal. I enrolled in Southern Utah University again (online), and completed my Master’s degree in Educational Administration. I worked for the next several years as an Assistant Principal at an alternative school, then became the Administrator of the Online K-12 Programs at Davis School District.
When my parents health started to decline, my husband and I relocated to Southern Utah and I worked on growing my business in this new community. I work full time for the University of Utah and I also donate a fair amount of time to the Jubilee of Trees as the Director of the Bakery and Sweet Shoppe. I also donate my time and skills to Icing Smiles, a program that aligns children who are ill with someone who can create them a dream cake.
I love baking. There’s something about the chemistry of baking that I find fascinating. It’s like magic. But my favorite part of baking is watching people enjoy my bakes, it’s one of my toxic traits, seeking validation from others. I love seeing their smiles and hearing their compliments and knowing I brought them a little happiness.
My Kitchen
I have been privileged to work with many professionals in the culinary world. I learned of the best techniques and ingredients. I refuse to lower my standards on the products I create. I use only the freshest, high quality ingredients in my baking like real butter, cream, whole eggs, high quality chocolate and fresh fruits and vegetables. I work out of my home kitchen to produce cakes and bakes that are just as good as they look. I’m often told my cakes are the best tasting cakes my customers have ever had.
I spend a lot of time learning new techniques. I spend way too much money on books and way too much time on video tutorials, but I learn so much from them. I practice new techniques on my lucky family members, neighbors and with my colleagues where I work.
Some of the items I like making the most are my custom cakes, floral cupcakes, pastries using homemade laminated doughs, cinnamon rolls, cream puffs and candies. I also create my own cake toppers, and can sculpt characters and make sugar flowers to decorate my cakes. I am always up for a challenge and to try something new.
