Food for, grown and baked by our community

Hi all, I’m Jessica or most now call me Jess. I’m a local native of Chattanooga,TN and Pastry Chef with 13+ years of professional cooking experience.

I’ve dreamt from early childhood, barely able to reach the counter of my Granny’s kitchen, of owning my own cafe or bakery. Day dreaming of offering local and seasonal pastries and baked goods that not only tell my story, but the story of Mom, Granny, Mamaw, and the story of the Farmers and Purveyors who’d make it so distinctive and special.

I’m now in my thirties and have been given the unique opportunity and creative space to make and produce all the baked goods of my childhood dreams! Thanks to my boyfriend and fellow Chef, Brian McDonald(Owner of Mac’s Kitchen and Bar). The little girl’s heart inside me couldn’t be any more honored or proud!

I went to art school throughout my entire early education (CSLA/CSAS), then for my Business Degree at UTC, and EVENTUALLY, Culinary School!

I’ve worked in some of the most prestigious yet misogynist kitchen environments and now am so gratefully have a safe space to call home!

To continue my culinary journey and my dream I’m now looking and leaning on my community, that I’ve put so much into my entire life including Girl Scouts and personal volunteering, yet never asking anything in return.

Now, humbly/bashfully, I’m asking assistance for appliances/equipment needed, marketing needs(signs, stamps, etc), produce inventory and for my time put into making something so unique and unlike anything my city I was born and raised in has ever seen before.

Anything and everything given will be directly poured into this dream and by my hard work that I’ve proven to so many over the years I’ll make sure you, our community, farmers and the under privileged/food insecure are given back to because I too, know how that feels and looks like.

Thank you all for reading my story and in advance for helping make my dreams come true of helping me grow this city in an innovative culinary direction, our community as a whole and our farm to consumer relationship. I can’t wait to show y’all what this “East Ridge Girl” can do!