bake - May 2015 - 20
the scenic route
to success
Millennial baker Katy Nelson personifies the
values of strong leadership and hard work.
BY JOHN UNREIN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN RUSSO
Above: Scenic
From the innocent age of 15, Katy Nelson knew she
In the 12 years since winning the Iowa Egg Council
Route Bakery
was different. Sure, the Iowa native had big dreams
cooking contest at age 15 (a pivotal event that pushed
is making a big
like anyone else. She wanted to run her own business,
her toward a culinary career), Nelson polished off
splash as the hot-
be strong and independent, and make her parents
two culinary degrees (including the heralded French
test new bakery
proud. Only Nelson didn't speak about her dreams
Pastry School in Chicago), studied pastry in northern
in Des Moines.
out loud. Maybe it would cheapen lofty goals if the
France, worked as a Marriott pastry chef in Chicago,
words rang out for anyone else to hear. Perhaps
and managed kitchen operations for a four-store
people around her would chalk it up to youthful
bakery café in Seattle.
naiveté. "You don't have a clue what it takes," they
might say in a dismissive tone. So silence became
Then two years ago Nelson decided it was time to
her ally. Rather, she'd devote herself to putting in the
come home to open a bakery. Her mother, Stephanie,
hours and the training and laying the groundwork for
had just retired from a successful career as a doctor
a successful career in baking and pastry. She'd keep
of obstetrics. Her father, Mark, an entrepreneur in
her mouth shut and let her results do the talking.
facilities management, was ready and willing to
provide whatever necessary for his daughter. "He's
For any bakery owner who worries the millennial
my business partner," Katy Nelson says. "I'm the
generation doesn't have the right stuff to make it
primary owner. I'm very blessed. None of this would
in this business, which requires grueling hours and
be possible without my family." And yet as anyone
relentless dedication, one only need to look at the
who grows up in a family business understands, it is
example set by Katy Nelson and rest easy. "I don't
ultimately up to the child to be or not be a success.
know how people work just 40 hours a week," says
"Even in high school, I had two jobs and a paper
the 27-year-old owner of Scenic Route Bakery in Des
route," Nelson says with a grin. "I have a lot of
Moines. "What do they do with all that extra time?"
energy."
20 < MAY 2015 | bakemag.com
http://www.bakemag.com
bake - May 2015
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of bake - May 2015
bake - May 2015
Editor's Note - A Need for Transparency
Table of Contents
News Bites - Bakers set sights on gold medal at iba
Alternative pizza formats
AIB certification enhances website
My Favorite Things
Management - Prevention
Labor Front - FSMA Moves Forward
Ingredients - Blueberry Challenge
Equipment - The Science of Fermentation
The Scenic Route to Success
A Buying Environment
What's Your Sign
Heirloom in Bloom
Bagel Popularity
Donut Craze Continues
Storytelling with Sweets
Easy, frozen, gourmet
Cafe - Sandwich Delivery
Products
Product Showcase
Classifieds
Ad Index
Online - BakeMag.com
bake - May 2015 - BB1
bake - May 2015 - BB2
bake - May 2015 - bake - May 2015
bake - May 2015 - 2
bake - May 2015 - Editor's Note - A Need for Transparency
bake - May 2015 - 4
bake - May 2015 - 5
bake - May 2015 - Table of Contents
bake - May 2015 - AIB certification enhances website
bake - May 2015 - My Favorite Things
bake - May 2015 - 9
bake - May 2015 - Management - Prevention
bake - May 2015 - 11
bake - May 2015 - Labor Front - FSMA Moves Forward
bake - May 2015 - 13
bake - May 2015 - Ingredients - Blueberry Challenge
bake - May 2015 - 15
bake - May 2015 - 16
bake - May 2015 - 17
bake - May 2015 - Equipment - The Science of Fermentation
bake - May 2015 - 19
bake - May 2015 - The Scenic Route to Success
bake - May 2015 - 21
bake - May 2015 - 22
bake - May 2015 - 23
bake - May 2015 - 24
bake - May 2015 - 25
bake - May 2015 - 26
bake - May 2015 - 27
bake - May 2015 - 28
bake - May 2015 - 29
bake - May 2015 - A Buying Environment
bake - May 2015 - 31
bake - May 2015 - 32
bake - May 2015 - 33
bake - May 2015 - What's Your Sign
bake - May 2015 - 35
bake - May 2015 - 36
bake - May 2015 - 37
bake - May 2015 - Heirloom in Bloom
bake - May 2015 - 39
bake - May 2015 - Bagel Popularity
bake - May 2015 - 41
bake - May 2015 - Donut Craze Continues
bake - May 2015 - 43
bake - May 2015 - Storytelling with Sweets
bake - May 2015 - 45
bake - May 2015 - Easy, frozen, gourmet
bake - May 2015 - 47
bake - May 2015 - Cafe - Sandwich Delivery
bake - May 2015 - 49
bake - May 2015 - 50
bake - May 2015 - 51
bake - May 2015 - Products
bake - May 2015 - Product Showcase
bake - May 2015 - Classifieds
bake - May 2015 - 55
bake - May 2015 - 56
bake - May 2015 - Ad Index
bake - May 2015 - Online - BakeMag.com
bake - May 2015 - 59
bake - May 2015 - 60
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