Whisk Management

Ep. 11: The Top 10 Most Important Lessons I’ve Learned in my Career

We're in the double digits of episodes now, so it's time to drop some KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS for all of you!
I'm here to tell you that you don't have to crash and burn and make a million mistakes to learn things that will help you run a better business or travel your career path more successfully. You can learn by doing AND learn from the experience of others, am I right?!
So with that in mind, I've come up with the Top 10 most important things I've learned throughout my career in pastry. The first 5 are things I've learned by working for other people (spoiler alert, I've had many jobs in the industry and lots of stories to share), and the second 5 are things I've learned working for myself!
This episode is a shortie today, so no special segment, but stay tuned for another guest episode next week, and some spooky fun for the Fall season!
 
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Ep. 10: The Art of Leveling Up Authentically | AJ DeDiego of AJ’s Baking Co.

If you're looking for the blueprint to making the leap from working for someone else to working for yourself, all while simultaneously infusing your authentic self into your brand, this episode is IT! Today I'm joined by my fellow Halloween Baking Championship castmate, baking biz owner, and entrepreneur AJ DeDiego! AJ took his career and business into his own hands by learning how to bake, and laying a strong foundation to support his transition into working for himself full time. His story is truly inspiring, so listen with care- you may want to quit your job within the hour!
BONUS: Stay tuned at the end of the episode to hear our bonus segment, This or That! I present AJ with two tempting options and see which one he chooses and why. 
 
Support AJ!
Give AJ a follow on Instagram
Check out his website, blog, and online store here
Check out his monthly live streams for The Fresh Market
Watch us both compete on Food Network's Halloween Baking Championship Season 8, now streaming on Discovery+!
Support the Pod!
Give us a follow on Instagram
Leave us a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Podcasts
Give Blayre a follow on Instagram or check out the Flouretta Sweet website

Ep. 9: The Real Tea on Culinary School

Pack you knife kits and your toques, we're headed back to (culinary) school!In today's episode, I'm spilling alll of the tea when it comes to attending culinary school. We'll chat about the different types of culinary schools that are out there, what drove me to attend my alma mater, and talk about the positives and the negatives of spending the time and money to get a food education. 
BONUS: stay tuned at the end for this episode's special segment, Retro Recipe! I'm sharing the incredible artistry of Calliope Sweets
 
Helpful links:The Culinary Institute of AmericaJohnson & WhalesLe Cordon BleuEkats cake coursesJasmine Rae Cakes coursesSugar Geek Show YouTubeDon't Tell Charles cake coursesSugarologie YouTube
 
Support the Pod here or follow us On InstagramCheck out Blayre's business, Flouretta Sweet on Instagram or Online

Ep. 8: Diversity, Uniqueness, and Doing the Work | Nicole Redd McIntosh of Nicole Bakes Cakes

Happy Juneteenth!
Today I'm joined by an extremely talented cake designer and pastry chef, Nicole Redd McIntosh! We talk about her expert balance of a full time Executive Pastry Chef job AND her custom cake business, Nicole Bakes Cakes (if you want to learn how to set better boundaries, she is the girl to teach you!). Nicole also talks about her experience as a Black female pastry chef in the hospitality and wedding industries, and the work she's doing to create a safe, supportive environment for her all-female team! NEW SEGMENT! : Stay tuned at the end of the interview for a new guest segment called THIS or THAT and see what Nicole chooses :)
Give Nicole a follow On Instagram or check out her Website if you're interested in working with her!
Support the Pod here or follow us On InstagramCheck out Blayre's business, Flouretta Sweet on Instagram or Online

Ep.7: Avoiding Industry Burnout

Why do we always feel the need to be "on" 24/7? How can we dismantle the idea of burnout and hustle culture and work to center and prioritize rest?
This episode get's INTO it! We're talking about what the perceived food and service industry standard is for success and hard work, how that leads us to being overworked, underpaid, and sets us up to fail, and what we can do to change it. 
NEW SEGMENT ALERT! Stay tuned until the end for Retro Recipe- a new segment where I find silly and heinous vintage recipes and share them for your enjoyment. 
Be sure to check out the article I mention in the episode for more information on How to Challenge White Supremacy Through Rest.
Support the Pod here or follow us On Instagram.Check out Blayre's business, Flouretta Sweet on Instagram or Online