Today we’d like to introduce you to Genera “Gigi” Jefferson-Cook.
Genera “Gigi”, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I come from a family full of professional cooks. My late grandmother Loverrene Jefferson cooked for everyone when I was a child her along with my mom and aunts used to call me into the kitchen to help cook dinner or prepare for an event. We cooked everything together from cheesecakes, pound cakes, pies, butter rolls, bread pudding, cobblers & more! Whenever my grandmother would create a new recipe she’d file it in her recipe book. My grandmother passed away on November 24th, 2010, I took her recipe book and continued her work. I started to sell my desserts in 2012. My brother Rodney Baker (HRC) was my very 1st customer. He loved my cheesecake’s so much he told me I should start selling them. Then my friend Sheldon Sloan (The Barber) challenged me to make a shortcake cheesecake and my business took off from there.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road hasn’t been the smoothest. I was working full time as a Mother/Baby Tech at Parkland Hospital, I’m a wife and mother of three as well. I do everything by myself at The CheeseCakery, from taking the orders, baking the dessert, cutting & packaging the individual desserts and delivering it to the customer. Now that I’m no longer working at Parkland I’m able to commit all of my time to my business. It can be overwhelming at times but I love every bit of it. My husband who is my biggest supporter is a big help as well. He’ll help me label orders and make sure I have all my supplies needed.
Please tell us about your business.
My business is The CheeseCakery. I specialize in cheesecake’s but I make other desserts as well. My #1 sellers are my Cheesecake Bars & Cheesecake Cookies. I sell about 200-300 cookies a week. I’m also well known for my Cheesecake Cupcakes & Shortcake Cheesecakes. I have customers that come in every week for their “cookie fix” and it really puts a smile on my face. I’m grateful for all of my customers.
What’s in store for The CheeseCakery?
I’m focusing more on bulk orders & catering events. I’ll still sell my individual desserts but I’ll have a full catering dessert menu coming soon. Also by the 1st of the year My husband & I will launch Cook’s Catering Co. specializing in Southern Cuisine Catering, We will customize our services to fit your specific needs for food and decor.
Contact Info:
- Address: 241-A North Hampton Rd. Desoto, Texas 75115 (Inside of T-6 Custom T-Shirts & More)
- Phone: 214-600-2437
- Email: thecheesecakerydesserts@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gigi.jefferson.14
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
