The culinary world provides many outlets for creativity. If you find your path, you will more than likely not burn out from the lifestyle of long hours and erratic schedules. I found my path in teaching people how to cook. I have already done the catering, corporate job, line-cooking, pastry chef and personal chef.
I do not make desserts on a regular basis for a living because I am following my dream. I will make the occasional birthday cake or dessert for close friends or a dinner party.
I like to support my friends who have small businesses because it can be very competitive  here in Chicago and there are bakeries everywhere.
I have a friend named Jane who has started her own business making custom pies and cakes. It’s called Sugarkist and your can find her creations here: www.sugarkist.com.
Her website has seasonal pies like the traditional Apple, Pecan and Pumpkin. But she also offers more decadent choices like Chocolate Brownie and Pear Hazelnut Crumble.
 As a former pastry chef herself, her custom cakes offer a wide variety of fillings and flavors. And she has specialty cakes like Lemon Layer Ginger or Brandied Cherry Cassata.
She also does amazing wedding cakes, something I admire her for because dealing with picky brides could send you to an early grave.
I have tried several of her pies and sampled some of her cakes and I will let you know personally that this chick really knows her stuff.
You can also buy a  pie from her directly (if she doesn’t sell out, which happens on a regular basis) at the Logan Square Farmers Market until it closes at the end of this month.

Happy Cooking!
Chef Alekka