Baking from the Garden: The Power of Local Ingredients
Charlotte's Sustainable Approach to Baking: From Fashion to Flour
In the latest episode of the Bucketlist Careers Podcast, Christa spoke with Charlotte Boyle, a former fashion designer and global retail manager who has pivoted her career to baking. Charlotte's approach to baking is deeply rooted in sustainability, using vegetables from her own garden and locally sourced ingredients to create beautiful and delicious cakes.
Veggies from the Garden to the Cake Stand
Charlotte's passion for baking began in childhood, when she would help her mother make cakes. After a successful career in fashion, she decided to return to her love of baking in 2020. However, instead of following traditional recipes, Charlotte began experimenting with incorporating vegetables into her cakes.
The result is a range of innovative and flavorful cakes, such as her carrot cake with cream cheese frosting made with carrots from her garden. Charlotte believes that using fresh, local ingredients not only gives her cakes a more intense flavor but also reduces environmental impact and supports local businesses.
Locally Sourced Ingredients: Supporting the Community and Environment
Charlotte is also committed to sourcing her ingredients locally. She buys flour from a local mill, sugar from a nearby sugar beet farm, and eggs from a nearby farm. By supporting local businesses, she helps to reduce transportation emissions and strengthen the local economy.
Furthermore, sourcing ingredients locally ensures that she is using the freshest and highest-quality ingredients available. This commitment to sustainability and quality is reflected in the taste of Charlotte's cakes.
The Power of Local Ingredients: Taste and Sustainability
The combination of locally sourced ingredients and vegetables from Charlotte's own garden results in cakes that are not only delicious but also sustainable. By using fresh, local ingredients, Charlotte reduces her carbon footprint and supports the local community.
Incorporating vegetables into her cakes also adds a unique flavor and nutritional value that sets her cakes apart. Her carrot cake is a perfect example, with a moist carrot-infused sponge and a creamy, not-too-sweet cream cheese frosting.
Find Inspiration in Childhood and Beyond: Charlotte's Home Kitchen
Charlotte's Home Kitchen is a testament to her passion for food, design, and sustainability. Her journey from fashion to flour is an inspiring story of how following your passions can lead to a fulfilling and meaningful career.
To learn more about Charlotte's sustainable approach to baking and her journey from fashion to flour, be sure to listen to the full episode of the Bucketlist Careers Podcast: From Fashion to Flour: The Pivot Journey of Charlotte Boyle.
