Meet the Minnesota Makers

Meet the Minnesota Makers *Your source for MN Makers and Growers
*Connecting MN small businesses
*Celebrating all things local!

We have news!Our Meet the Minnesota Makers community has been growing!We’re sharing local love several times a week on I...
03/25/2025

We have news!

Our Meet the Minnesota Makers community has been growing!

We’re sharing local love several times a week on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Ambit, and Threads!

Our monthly newsletter now reaches over 1000 lovers of Minnesota’s small businesses.

The website directory at meettheminnesotamakers.com (http://meettheminnesotamakers.com) has nearly 150 unique maker features. Each feature introduces you to a farm, food producer, artist or artisan who lives and works here in Minnesota.

Explore our gift guide. Updates underway to make sure that you find unique Mother’s Day items from one of 140 Minnesota makers or service providers.

Newsletter subscribers get a monthly summary of features, recipes, product reviews, and exclusive discount codes.

We invite you to come along.

You may just discover a new-to-you favorite maker.

Help us spread the word. Watch for new maker features scheduled for this spring.

Eat well. Eat local!

Michelle

I love cooking at home. Something that’s surprised me is how that simple act can connect me to the greater Minnesota com...
03/19/2025

I love cooking at home.

Something that’s surprised me is how that simple act can connect me to the greater Minnesota community, especially our growers and producers.

How can you support local farmers directly?

Think about it—it’s blustery and cold today, but growing season plans are well underway.

Your local farmers and producers are already planning their seasons. They’ve ordered seeds, high tunnels are loaded with baby plants.

Your support makes the difference in their ability to provide a more sustainable product.

Sustainable doesn’t mean organic—though it can.

Sustainable here means locally sourced, short transportation, minimal soil disruption, animals that live outdoors, and eating with Minnesota’s seasons.

Exploring a CSA—whether of fresh fruits and vegetables, locally-raised meats, cheese, or breads and grains—allows you to eat better while having a direct positive impact on the health of Minnesota’s farm economy.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms and businesses are real life examples of individuals collaborating at the local level to support the common good and build thriving communities. Through the CSA model a farm becomes the community’s farm. 

“The CSA model allows us to build a more sustainable business model for and all of our partners,” explainsJack McCann. “With a CSA we can make it possible for the farmers to thrive and the consumers to trust their purchases.”

The USDA defines a CSA as a “farm operation that becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm.” 

In return for their investment, the consumer receives a share of the farm’s products on a weekly, every other week, or monthly basis. This share integrates them into a community of similarly-focused individuals. 

Visit www.minnesotagrown.com to explore their directory of CSA programs throughout the state. There are more than 120 programs registered with the state with over 450 pick up sites—both on farm and in the community.

Swipe through to meet a few of the farms I featured in the feature. It’s time to start dreaming of spring and summer flavors!

Read the full article at edibleminnesota.com (winter 2024 issue).

Can social media be a force for good? What does it mean to create an on line community? How can individuals and business...
03/10/2025

Can social media be a force for good?

What does it mean to create an on line community?

How can individuals and businesses use digital media to foster meaningful connections?

How can digital platforms create more inclusive and engaged communities?

What advice would you give to young people who want to use media to tell important stories?

What are some examples of online communities that are making a real-world impact?

What role can social media play in rebuilding communities and fostering human connection?

How can local businesses and organizations help people feel a sense of belonging and purpose?

Looking forward to discussing these questions and more with an inspiring panel of local experts at Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN) tonight!

This is a Youth Community Journalism program. Their focus is on on how we can create a more positive, connected, and healthy future with the prominence of social media and technology.

I look forward to learning from the other panelists as we consider these questions. We’re going to have a live audience to share in our thoughts. The show will be broadcast on their YouTube so you can tune in from anywhere!

What would you share about social media with these inquiring minds?

Honored to be a part of this discussion tonight in Saint Paul. Looking forward to learning with my fellow panelists with...
03/10/2025

Honored to be a part of this discussion tonight in Saint Paul. Looking forward to learning with my fellow panelists with our youth journalists leading the conversation!

How do we rebuild community in the United States?

Our next "Youth Community Journalism" show will examine this question.

The show is Monday, March 10, 6-7 p.m. at the Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN), and the focus of the show is social media and building community.

We will look at how we can turn the negative consequences of social media into a more positive, connected, and healthy future.

We will explore local solutions and strategies for community building in the digital age with the prominence of the internet, social media, and technology.

We will share ideas on how we can:

✅ Restore our humanity
✅ Strengthen human connections
✅ Create stronger IRL (in real life) communities

We have an incredible panel of local experts in community building for this show.

Our guests:

*Maggie Goldman, program and partnership director, Social Enterprise - Minneapolis St Paul

*Francisco Segovia, executive director, Comunidades Organizando el Poder y Accion Latina (COPAL MN)

*Margaret (Maggie) Winter, business owner, MK Consulting

*Michelle Sharp, founder and content creator, Meet the Minnesota Makers

*Sarah Cherwien Hoel, PsyD, LP, licensed psychologist, Sarah Cherwien Hoel and Associates

*Charles Wright, community outreach leaders, Black Political Action

Our youth community journalism team (ages 10-16) will produce the show and lead the conversation.

Youth Community Journalism — Episode 9: Rebuilding Community in America

When: Monday, March 10, 6-7 p.m.

Where: St. Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN)
550 Vandalia St., No. 170
St Paul, MN 55114

All are welcome to attend the show at SPNN.

The program also will be broadcast on SPNN channels and livestreamed on the Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation's YouTube page.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/-p2q

Near Winona in the Minnesota Driftless region, the Heiden Family raises Black Angus cattle on farmland which has been in...
03/06/2025

Near Winona in the Minnesota Driftless region, the Heiden Family raises Black Angus cattle on farmland which has been in the family for seven generations.

“Taste the difference from the ground up” is their farm’s slogan. Their cattle are shaped by the rich soil they cultivate among the Driftless region’s rolling hills. The flavor of their beef is shaped by some of Minnesota’s richest farmland as their cows typically spend their whole life—from birth until their one bad day—on the farm and its pastures.

Hart Country Meats was born thanks to Jessica and Tony Heiden’s desire to share their love for their beef with a greater audience. “As a farm wife and stay-at-home mom of four with an entrepreneurial spirit, I was intrigued with the farm-to-table concept,” explains Jessica. “We enjoyed our farm-raised beef, along with several others who purchased quarters from us. From there I ventured into local farmers markets with our kids in tow with a pickup full of tables, baked goods and coolers of our farm-raised beef and pork.”

The Heiden Family invites customers to come see the farm, to get to know their processes, to share in their journey to improve their soil and care for the animals that thrive on the land. “We’re always going to be transparent about our processes and our animals. We’re proud of what we do and love to share that with others,” shares Jessica. “Come on down and pick out your own quarter. We’d love to have you.”

Since loading up that first pickup bound for the farmers market, Hart Country Meats now ships nationally through The Meatery MN and has their products available on their farm and at select local retailers. Look for their products when you attend a Rochester Honkers game in the summer.

Visit https://hartcountrymeats.com for information on beef and pork shares. Visit themeaterymn.com for national shipping.

Hart Country Meats is one of three producers participating in the March 8 Taste Makers class at the MN Arb. Discuss the importance of cattle feed in raising beef. Join us at https://arb.umn.edu/learn/taste-makers-mar-2025

Full feature at meettheminnesotamakers.com

Bakers at heart—meet Xiong Xiong and Xiong Thao—the dynamic duo of X2 Pastries!X2 Pastries is a “hustle of love” accordi...
03/05/2025

Bakers at heart—meet Xiong Xiong and Xiong Thao—the dynamic duo of X2 Pastries!

X2 Pastries is a “hustle of love” according to Xiong Xiong. “We get to bake for ourselves, the products we think are the most delicious and delightful, and we then share it with all of you.”

Regulars at the St. Paul, Minneapolis, and NE Minneapolis Farmers Markets as cottage bakers, X2 Pastries will soon treat MacGroveland neighbors to a rotating menu of breads, cakes, cookies, and whimsical macarons from their new storefront (opening spring 2025).

“We found that we were growing beyond the space of the shared kitchen and our farmers market booths. We were ready for a space to call our own,” says Xiong Xiong. “Every day I drive by this space that Xiong and I are now shaping. It amazes me.”

There is one notable exception to the X2 menu being things they love to eat themselves.

Xiong Xiong doesn’t particularly care for macarons. One bite is enough for her.

She fell in love with macarons for a different reason. “I love the process. I love the challenge and the art of it,” explains Xiong. “Oddly enough macarons became my art medium. When I’m in the kitchen piping character macarons, I’m just in a flow state. There’s nothing that distracts me. It’s my absolute favorite.”

Xiong describes her macarons as a “double whammy”. Who doesn’t love a treat that makes you smile because it’s so darn cute and then also tastes great?

Working together as friends has been one of the easiest part of building their business. “We both have the same enthusiasm for quality. We both happen to be very clean and detail-oriented too. It’s a gift to work with a friend and baker you respect, who can be the second voice to set you straight when you doubt yourself or simply need quality control.”

Visit www.x2pastries.com for market dates and catering menus.

Follow Xiong&Xiong for menu updates.

X2 Pastries is one of three makers presenting at the March 8 Taste Makers Class at the MN Landscape Arboretum. Explore French macarons and baking methods. Join us at https://arb.umn.edu/learn/taste-makers-mar-2025

Full feature at meettheminnesotamakers.com https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/a-hustle-of-love-x2-pastries-bakes-their-favorites-for-you/

Gather round for a fungus-themed love story…Kalvin and Rachel fell in love with local food, and each other, while attend...
03/05/2025

Gather round for a fungus-themed love story…

Kalvin and Rachel fell in love with local food, and each other, while attending college at UW-Stevens Point. “There was a great farmers market. We started volunteering at different programs revolving around local food.” After college they moved to the mountains of North Carolina where Kalvin worked at a biodynamic organic farm.

Moving back to Minnesota they became the fourth generation to steward the farmstead. Their love for foraging spring fiddleheads inspired the farm’s new name. “We have our own walking nature garden area. I keep planting things everywhere to add to our forest farming capacity,” says Kalvin.

Forest farming celebrates the layers within the space. For Fiddlehead K**b that means that the ground is full of rich mulch for the mushrooms. There are ferns above for spring foraging. Shrubs and trees for berries and fruit make up the next layer with shade trees to provide shelter for everything growing below the top canopy.

Both Kalvin and Rachel work full time on the farm, fulfilling a shared dream. “The big idea for our farm was to build this around our family. We’ve been building our lifestyle around our family and good, local food. We’re kind of in awe every day that we made the leap to both do this full time and that our family gets to do it together.”

Fiddlehead K**b sells certified organic mushrooms, both foraged and cultivated, at the Rochester Farmers Markets and .

Fiddlehead has dried and powdered mushrooms available, including a custom dried forager’s blend. It’s another way for Fiddlehead K**b to minimize waste - mushrooms that aren’t sold at market are dried in their commercial dehydrator and sold as shelf stable, dehydrated mushrooms.

Fiddlehead K**b is one of three businesses sharing their story and samples at the March 8 Taste Makers Class at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Learn about mushroom varieties and sustainable cultivation methods. https://arb.umn.edu/learn/taste-makers-mar-2025

Visit fiddleheadknob.com for recipes and market schedules. Sign up for their newsletter while you’re there!

Full feature at meettheminnesotamakers.com https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/mushrooms-powered-by-the-sun-fiddlehead-knob-farms-sustainable-path-forward/

Workshops for small business ownersThree upcoming workshops to get your business storytelling in shape before the busy s...
02/24/2025

Workshops for small business owners

Three upcoming workshops to get your business storytelling in shape before the busy summer season.

These are three opportunities to work on your visual and written storytelling. We will apply SEO, key terms, and customer engagement in your website and social media content.

In-person workshops are three hours long and include direct feedback on your current website and social media content.

Virtual workshop is two hours long with a one-on-one follow up call.

Joint visual and written storytelling workshop with Sarah Carroll of Greener Pastures on Thursday, February 27 (hosted by Smith + Trade Mercantile in Stillwater). Work with both a professional photographer and videographer and a published writer to create a content plan that works for your small business.

Social media marketing workshops—how to make the most of Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn plus local platforms you should know about

Thursday, March 13 (hosted by Coffeewomple Roastery in Minneapolis)

Wednesday, March 19 (virtual via Zoom)

Comment workshop below to receive a direct link for event registration and more information.

Visit https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/workshops-and-lectures for more.

Business owners and content creators in all stages of digital marketing development are welcome.

Let’s get to work!

Did you know that these four brands are made in Minnesota? What a joy to share these grocery store gems with the Minneso...
02/21/2025

Did you know that these four brands are made in Minnesota?

What a joy to share these grocery store gems with the Minnesota Live TV audience!

Our bountiful table highlighted Inkakaw . Monica Jimenez and her family are deeply committed to sustainability in chocolate. They source premium locally-sourced ingredients like the hazelnuts in their chocolate hazelnut spread (once you’ve tasted this, you’ll never go back to Nutella).

*On air Chris and Megan sampled the Dark Emerald bar with pistachio, thyme and sea salt and the Forest Cherry Bark with tart cherry and rosemary.

Sturdiwheat prides itself on simple, clean, and local for its ingredient lists. Made in downtown Red Wing for more than 80 years, today Sturdiwheat Foods is family-owned and operated by mother-daughter team Suzanne and Missi Blue.

Explore their premium and simple recipes to make bread mixes, pancake mixes, dessert mixes and coating mixes from locally-milled grains.

*Chris and Megan sampled both the original and the Kernza cinnamon pancakes. The original pancakes are now part of the Perennial Percent Program.

Keepsake Cidery in Dundas uses regional fruit to make a truly Minnesotan product. They believe in strong community and collaborate with many other local small businesses and farms.

Keepsake Cidery is one of a small group of cideries nationally who utilizes only spontaneous fermentation in ALL of their ciders and wines. No sulfites, flavors, sugars, water, or color. You enjoy the flavor of pure fruit magic.

Visit the Tasting Room to experience a cider flight, savory Toasties, and join them for Wasail on March 1 to wake up the orchard.

*Chris and Megan sampled the Farmhouse Dry and the Farmhouse Semisweet ciders.

Rochester’s The Bee Shed was born of Chris’s love of the outdoors and training as a master naturalist and biologist.

Wildflower, all summer long honey, is The Bee Shed’s core product.

When you mix all the pollen, you get the general yellow wildflower honey. When you pull by the season, you taste the flavor of the particular moment.

*Chris and Megan sampled the Buckwheat and the Spring Bright honeys.

Swipe to meet these makers!

Eat well. Eat local!

*No Influencers Necessary*Make Social Media and Digital Marketing Work for Your Small BusinessA picture is worth 1000 wo...
02/13/2025

*No Influencers Necessary*

Make Social Media and Digital Marketing Work for Your Small Business

A picture is worth 1000 words.

Did you know that you have about 2000 characters to write a caption on Instagram?

Learn which images are essential for your business’ marketing and storytelling goals. Develop the captions and website product descriptions that make your products searchable. Discover why conversions are the only metric that really matters for your social media posts.

Leave this workshop knowing which components of your small business website are most important and how to make your digital marketing beautiful, inspiring and sustainable.

Michelle Sharp of and Sarah Carroll of presented jointly on this topic in a breakout session at the 2025 MN Organic Conference. In this expanded workshop, they present market-tested strategies for creating and using your visual and written content. The workshop includes guided work time for feedback on your social media and website content.

Michelle and Sarah have collaborated on a series of Farm Features on independently-owned farms in Minnesota. The success of their joint efforts in visual and written storytelling inspired them to share their experience with a greater audience to improve their conversion rate with current and potential customers.

This workshop is limited to 12 participants. This event will be held at Smith + Trade in Stillwater on Thursday, February 27 from 5-8pm.

We look forward to working with you! More information in our registration form at https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/workshops-and-lectures/

With Gratitude,
Sarah Carroll and Michelle Sharp

Warm the heart of your dearest loves and a small business owner this Valentine’s Day. How? Hop on over to meettheminneso...
02/06/2025

Warm the heart of your dearest loves and a small business owner this Valentine’s Day.

How?

Hop on over to meettheminnesotamakers.com to visit the “Shop Minnesota” gift guide selection.

Find 140 different small businesses with unique items to delight the object of your affection.

Swipe through for a preview of the products and businesses you’ll find in this special collection of makers, growers, artists, and artisans. Which will be the right fit for you?

Newsletter subscriber? Check your email for your special discount codes.

Feel the love and share this post with your friend who loves local.

Share some locally-inspired love!Whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day, Palentine’s, Galentine’s, need a gift for your f...
02/06/2025

Share some locally-inspired love!

Whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day, Palentine’s, Galentine’s, need a gift for your fur babies or want to treat yourself to something delightfully cozy, the Meet the Minnesota Makers Gift Guide has inspiration for you!

We have dozens of updated listings for you just in time to share the love this Valentine’s Day.

Swipe through for a preview of the Minnesota Makers in the MTMM “Shop Minnesota” guide who have something special to warm your heart.

Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com to explore the full gift guide. Follow so you don’t miss part two of this gift guide Valentine’s Day highlights.

Newsletter subscribers, check your email for your special Valentine’s Day newsletter full of discount codes just for you!

An all-new edition of our very popular Taste Makers class! Join Chef Beth Fisher and Michelle Sharp, founder and content...
01/29/2025

An all-new edition of our very popular Taste Makers class! Join Chef Beth Fisher and Michelle Sharp, founder and content creator for Meet the Minnesota Makers, as they introduce you to three local, innovative, small business owners.

The Makers will provide demonstrations, prepare samples and share the passions that inspire their work. Learn about gourmet mushrooms from Fiddlehead K**b solar-powered farm in LeRoy, local black angus beef from Rushford’s Hart Country Meats as well as imaginative and delicious macarons from Xiong&Xiong in Saint Paul.

In this class you will:

🍄‍🟫Learn about mushroom varieties and sustainable cultivation methods.

🍄Discover how you can grow mushrooms at home in just a few days.

🐄Discuss the importance of cattle feed in raising beef and why Hart Country Meats grows their own feed and dedicates family resources to education about their farming operation.

👩🏻‍🍳Learn savory cooking tips from Chef Beth as she shares a beef and mushroom recipe or two!

🇫🇷Explore French macarons and baking methods, while observing distinctive piping techniques.

🧆Taste locally-raised beef and mushrooms in bites prepared by Chef Beth Fisher and sample custom-made sweets from our guest Baker, Xiong Xiong.

🗓️Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Fee: $65 member/$85 non-member, includes Arboretum admission, take home recipe packet and tasting samples.

Register through the Arboretum website — https://arb.umn.edu/learn/taste-makers-mar-2025

We just celebrated our SIXTH Taste Makers class at the Farm at the Arb!Thank you to Baptism River Barbecue Co. , Eat Me ...
01/27/2025

We just celebrated our SIXTH Taste Makers class at the Farm at the Arb!

Thank you to Baptism River Barbecue Co. , Eat Me Bakery , and Featherstone Fruits & Vegetables who shared their passion, helped us all learn more about local food and their passion, and fed us well.

prepared a beautiful slaw with Featherstone’s produce to pair with Baptism River’s maple-brined pork ribeyes. Kelsey of Eat Me Bakery took us behind the scenes to appreciate and gain confidence in decorating with buttercream frosting. It was a treat for all the senses.

I continue to be in awe of our Minnesota makers. It is such a treat for me to watch them in action, demonstrating their craft and sharing the passion that inspired them to lead their businesses. Every one of our Taste Makers classes has been a demonstration of that inspired creativity (and delicious too)!

Thank you also to the engaged audiences with their thoughtful questions and desire to know more about the local maker community. Thank you to for being there at all the right moments to keep the class humming along.

My thanks to who approached me with this idea in the first place. It is such a thrill to bring the Meet the Minnesota Makers’ features to life at the beautiful Farm at the Arb kitchen.

Each class is a unique learning experience and immersion into our local creatives. Haven’t been yet? Check out our March class listing at https://arb.umn.edu/learn/taste-makers-mar-2025

Minnesota barbecue brings its own flavor to the pit. It doesn’t mimic any other national tradition. North Shore barbecue...
01/16/2025

Minnesota barbecue brings its own flavor to the pit. It doesn’t mimic any other national tradition.

North Shore barbecue innovators Kaylee and Dan Cahill Mathews define their vision of true Northwoods Barbecue through the North Shore’s own Baptism River Barbecue Company.

Baptism River Barbecue’s menu is centered on locally-produced ingredients. Their produce, meats, the maple syrup in their barbecue sauces, and locally-harvested maple wood shape their distinctive menu options. “We call it ‘true Northwoods Barbecue’ since much of its flavor is due to the products that we are able to find in this region. You truly cannot get this combination anywhere else!” shares Dan. “This is the taste of the boreal forest of Minnesota’s North Shore.”

These local partnerships are intentional. “We’re not trying to replicate barbecue from anywhere else. We celebrate Minnesota with every bite,” explains Dan. “The greatest joy in our business is feeding good food to good folks. We also love being able to build our business together as husband and wife.”

Baptism River Barbecue Co., a food truck, operates every weekend Friday-Sunday. Their usual spot is the Green Door in Beaver Bay. Check their website and social media for pop ups at events along the North Shore and occasional Twin Cities appearances.

If you’re not lucky enough to live locally, plan your next trip up north around a stop at this weekly barbecue oasis.

Your tastebuds will thank you. A network of local businesses will thank you as well.

Swiping through may make you very hungry. You’ve been warned!

Visit www.baptismriverbbq.com for current schedule, to buy unique merchandise, try their signature sauces and spice rubs, or to send a gift card for someone else to enjoy true Northwoods Barbecue! Smoked meats and sides are only available at their food truck.

Baptism River Barbecue is one of three makers you can meet at the January 18 Taste Makers Class at the MN Landscape Arboretum. They’ll celebrate Minnesota’s unique barbecue tradition while sampling smoke masters’ special meat selections.

Register at https://arb.umn.edu/learn/taste-makers-jan-2025

Full feature at meettheminnesotamakers.com https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/true-northwoods-barbecue-baptism-river-barbecue-serves-truly-local-mn-bbq/

Do you know Featherstone Farm’s two secrets to nutritious organic vegetables for their CSA community and wholesale custo...
01/15/2025

Do you know Featherstone Farm’s two secrets to nutritious organic vegetables for their CSA community and wholesale customers?

The diverse team of people who plan, plant, w**d, monitor, harvest, wash, and pack.

2. The rich Waukegan loam soil native to Minnesota’s Driftless region.

This dynamic combination cultivates dozens of products including fresh herbs, root vegetables, winter squash, heirloom tomatoes, summer melons, leafy greens and their signature carrots.

From the early 1990s when Featherstone began with 20 CSA subscribers until new high tunnels that extend the growing season and climate-controlled warehouses to store winter crops, Featherstone has been a joyfully hard journey for Jack Hedin, Featherstone’s founding farmer. “Farming is a hard life. I love it. I love how there is always something new. We’ve almost lost our farm a couple of time and our customers and community rallied because they were determined not to let our farm fail.” He’s optimistic about the future of Minnesota farming, “There are so many great young CSA farms and farmers out there. I have nothing but admiration for them.”

“It’s a sacred service to feed people.” The majority of the produce grown on the 140 acres of Featherstone is destined for consumers’ home use. Their produce is enjoyed by more than 1000 summer and nearly 650 winter CSA subscribers. They also stock Twin Cities, Rochester, Winona, and LaCrosse co-ops, and Whole Foods Stores throughout the Midwest.

Featherstone Farm has been growing MOSA certified organic produce since 1996. They are also Fair Food and Real Organic certified.

Both spring and summer shares are now available for sign up at www.featherstonefarm.com/sharedetails Next season winter shares are available too!

Featherstone Fruits & Vegetables is one of three makers demonstrating at the January 18 Taste Makers class at the Farm at the Arb. Learn about Minnesota’s Driftless region and why it’s so good for farming, and taste a fresh winter salad crafted by Chef Beth with organic fruits, greens and vegetables.

Register at https://arb.umn.edu/learn/taste-makers-jan-2025

Full feature at meettheminnesotamakers.com https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/meet-the-maker-jack-hedin-of-featherstone-farm/

Kelsey Endres, owner and creative force of Eat Me Bakery in Minneapolis, encourages you to enjoy your food. “Food is spe...
01/14/2025

Kelsey Endres, owner and creative force of Eat Me Bakery in Minneapolis, encourages you to enjoy your food. “Food is special. It is fun. It doesn’t have to just be fuel,” shares Kelsey. “I like to play with flavors. I like the surprise of eating food that someone else prepared.”

Kelsey’s rich flavor palette for her custom cakes, bundts, buns, and bars ranges from basil to pistachio. Vanilla and chocolate are consistently the most popular cake and cupcake flavors. Kelsey incorporates seasonal produce from her fellow farmers market vendors to flavor her baked goods. “I’m very proud of my strawberry cake,” shares Kelsey. “I reduce and puree many pints of berries to make the flavoring. There’s no extract involved.”

Whether preparing basil bundts, pesto buns, s’mores cookies or layered cakes, Kelsey most loves the human connections shared through food. “When people wonder what’s the meaning of life? It’s connection. Nothing makes me happier than watching someone process that first bite of something,” muses Kelsey. “I’ve had so many people tell me that the cardamom buns remind me of their moms or their grandmas. It makes me happy that something I made can remind them of their family in a positive way.”

Visit eatmebakerympls.com for menu.

Find Eat Me Bakery this winter at . Look for current market favorites including the amazingly-textured carmelita bars and her new brown butter pistachio chocolate chip cookies. (Swipe through for delectable photos!)

Check the bakehouse website for a cake decorating classes with Kelsey. She teaches both her popular vintage heart cakes and a general decorating class.

Eat Me Bakery is one of three makers you’ll meet at the January 18 Taste Makers Class at the MN Landscape Arboretum. She’ll share her classic buttercream frosting and demonstrate decorating tips before cake sampling. https://arb.umn.edu/learn/taste-makers-jan-2025

Look for mini-vintage heart cakes this Valentine’s Day. “I love creating ‘spicy’ Galentine’s cakes for the Valentine’s holiday. The spicier the better. I think it’s fun,” smiles Kelsey.

Full feature at meettheminnesotamakers.com

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