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When you walk into local Charlotte baker Ashley Eller's kitchen, the aroma of warm, garnished desserts welcomes you. This mountain girl from Boone, N.C., is all about baking organic temptations compiled from family tradition. Eller caters as well as distributes her scrumptious desserts to local restaurants such as Berrybrook Farm, La-Dee-Da's, and Higher Grounds Coffee Shop, to name a few. Even better still, you can order customized desserts directly from her Web site, www.thesweetiepie.com.
Creative Loafing: Did you go to a culinary school to learn how to bake?
Ashley Eller: I didn't. When I was in college, I made desserts for a steakhouse in Boone called The Peddler. I got my masters in music education but I've always had a passion for baking, and it turned into a business.
Why is it important to you to use organic ingredients?
Organic foods produce a much better quality product. And it's for health reasons as well. I am actually dairy-free myself, so when this [business] started, I had already enjoyed experimenting with desserts and adapting them so that I could enjoy them. There are so many people out there that need to be on either a gluten- or dairy-free diet. On top of that, I really want it to be fresh and organic. I feel that organic is better for your whole body; down the road, I think you are just going to see a healthier lifestyle.
Since you're a solo baker at home, how do you manage to distribute your desserts to so many local restaurants?
It's been a good thing so far; [the orders] have been on a natural re-occurring schedule. They haven't all ordered at one time yet. I started getting an idea of when people need things. Up to this point, I bake most hours that I'm free. I teach private piano and private voice in the afternoon but my morning hours and evening hours, once I get home, are spent baking ... it's fun.
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Calendar
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Queen City Margarita Festival @ Blush CLT
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Sake Dinner at L'Ostrica w. The Sake Ninja Chris Johnson (Aug 7) @ L'Ostrica
- Thu., Aug. 7, 6:30 p.m.
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Armored Car Brewing Food Truck Friday @ Armored Cow Brewing
- Fridays, 5-9 p.m. Continues through Dec. 19
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University Farmers Market @ The Shoppes at University Place
- Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Continues through Oct. 25
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South Charlotte Wine & Food Festival @ Blush CLT
- Sat., Aug. 16, 1-6 p.m. and Sun., Aug. 17, 1-6 p.m.
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Corkscrew
THE WINE LIST
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Give us butter or give us death
An observation of the popularity of chardonnay
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Steak 'n Hoagie Shop Owner Steve Bisbikis is Keeping it in the Family
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