


A Tribute, And An Update
When I was growing up in Paducah, Kentucky, at every birthday we always had amazing cakes that my mom bought from a local baker. It was the 80’s, and long before Food Network and shows like Ace of Cakes. Our little town had a local cake decorator named Fern Hamblin. Her little cake business was…

Another Taste of Our Youth
“As single, male senior citizen, my home cooking abilities are severely limited. Something like this would help me get the homemade things that I remember so much from many years ago. It’s time we took the over-cautious mindset out of things and remembered that my generation drank water from a hose, shared drinks, rode in…

High Barrier To Entry, Even As A Farmer – Emily’s Baking Story
Today we feature the story of a farmer. This is Emily’s story in her own words. “Dear Kentucky State Lawmakers, I am Two Sisters Fudge, a small entity that followed all the rules for a few dollars per pound in profit. I am Kentucky Proud and yet that doesn’t describe my story. I wanted a…

Stifled Dreams, Laura’s Baking Story
States with supportive cottage food laws provide simple and inexpensive ways for skilled people to begin safe and profitable businesses from home — businesses that can become sustainable jobs. Arguably, Kentucky’s lack of a cottage food law mostly affects women — ones who can and bake, but who might otherwise lack employment, garden space, access…

Rural American Dreams, Beth’s Baking Story
Today we feature the story of a baker from a rural Kentucky community. This is Beth’s story in her own words. “My name is Beth and I’m only twenty-three years old. I was born and raised in Henry County, Kentucky. I’m new to home baking because I’ve been baking for less than 2 years. However,…

From Pride and Joy, To Broken Dreams – Mary’s Baking Story
Today we feature the story of a home baker who built up a home baking business in Michigan. Unfortunately, when she moved, she found out about Kentucky’s restrictive cottage food law. This is Mary’s story in her own words. “Several years ago, on a whim I decided to take a Wilton course, which led to…

Custom Cookies, Family Tradition – Joanna’s Baking Story
Today we feature a baker who’s story sounds all too familiar for home baker’s who have attempted starting small home based businesses in the state of Kentucky. This is Joanna’s story in her own words. “Families have traditions. Every Christmas my mom baked and iced cookies that she used to decorate our tree and that…

Making Her Mark, Brooke’s Baking Story
Today we feature a story of a baker who had a successful bourbon cupcake business, but the challenges with Kentucky’s law ultimately became too much. This is her story in her own words. “In 2012, I was working as a tour guide for a local Bourbon distillery when I decided to make some bourbon cupcakes…

The Right To Be ‘Kentucky Proud’, Katie’s Baking Story
Today we feature the story of a home baker from Lexington, Kentucky. This is Katie’s baking story in her own words. “I started making sugar cookies in January of 2014, because everyone said “you need to start a cookie business!” I already had my KY ID and Federal ID because I paint furniture and other…