Today we’d like to introduce you to Calista Elizondo.
Hi Calista, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hello! I’m Calista Grace, a 17-year-old scratch baker living in Las Colinas (Irving). I started baking when I was 10 years old. I was inspired to start after watching Kids Baking Championship on the Food Network. I even made it through several rounds of auditions/interviews for season 3 of Kids Baking Championship on Food Network.
I founded Calista Grace Bakes, a DFW-based cottage bakery, in February 2021 to share my love of baking with others and to continue honing my skills. My dessert shop is committed to creating baked from scratch desserts. From French pastries like madeleines and cream puffs OR Mexican pastries like empanadas and polvorones and MUCH MUCH MORE!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
There is so much to learn when running your own shop and more to learn when it comes to baking for the public. From learning what you can and cannot sell to pricing products appropriately to providing a positive customer experience, the learning opportunities are ongoing. I am fortunate to have wonderful resources and the Texas Cottage Food community is strong 0and supportive.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Since 2021, I’ve had the pleasure of creating baked from scratch sweet treats for local businesses, family, and friends. It’s been a wonderful and rewarding experience. I’m truly thankful for the opportunity. I’m excited to share that my goal for 2022 is to give back to the community by donating 100% of sales towards my fundraising campaign, “Ice Skating for Youth”.
To provide some background on this initiative, I’ve been ice skating since I was seven years old. I’m now 17-years old and still skating away. I’m currently part of the synchronized skating team at the Galleria Dallas Ice Skating Center. I’ve really enjoyed being a part of this sport and would love to provide the opportunity to others. In response, I’m combining my love for baking and skating with a fundraiser to go towards ice skating classes for disadvantaged and underserved youth in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Along with bake sales, I’m also hosting monthly virtual baking classes where I’ll teach how to make scrumptious baked goods like polvorones, eclairs, and more!
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The Texas Cottage Food initiative has evolved and will continue as to be a formidable movement. Significant change and strides have been made in the last decade. Prior to 2011, it was illegal to sell any food made in a home kitchen. The Texas Cottage Food Law has changed significantly since its first passage in 2011 and the passing of S.B. 572 in 2019, the most comprehensive reform to the cottage food law since 2013.
Contact Info:
- Email: calistagracebakes@gmail.com
- Website: https://calistagracebakes.wixsite.com/dessertshop
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calistagracebakes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calistagracebakes
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/calistagracebks
- Other:https://calistagracebakes.wixsite.com/ice-skating-4-youth
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/baking-for-ice-skating-tickets-301963449807
