**This is an interview with the owner. Please scroll to bottom of page for bakery address, phone number, website, email, and social media links.**

A Note About Shared Kitchens

Sweet Millie’s Bakery products are produced in a home where gluten is present, but wheat flour is not. I usually only share about companies who have a completely gluten free facility. However, when I polled my followers, some suggested I share about businesses, and their preparation methods, and let customers make their own decisions.

When polled, 2/3 of people responded that they themselves do not keep a 100% gluten free kitchen. Of those, 2/3 responded that they do NOT keep wheat flour in their household. Also, 3/4 of my followers stated they would by from a baker that may have gluten in the home, but NOT if wheat flour was also present. Therefore, I wanted to share about Sweet Millie’s and allow you to make your own decision. 

1. What inspired you to become a baker? 

I have many memories of my maternal grandmother baking with us, when we would spend the night. She always had pies, cookies, and other baked goods on hand in case someone stopped by. Seeing how she could express her love through food is a memory I hold dear, and grew my own love of baking. Many of the holiday bakes I make are her recipes, and I named my baking business after her.

What Encouraged You to Open a Gluten Free Baking Business? 

About 11 years ago I started to notice issues when I would eat toast and jelly for breakfast. My stomach would hurt, but put the thought aside and dealt with stomach problems for many years after that. About 7 years ago, during a very stressful time in my life, I had a pretty severe reaction after having bread and took it more seriously.

Over these past few years I have tried many gluten free products from local and commercial companies. I struggled to find something that tasted “normal” to me. Therefore, I took it upon myself to test, try, and modify recipes to become gluten free, to my taste and texture preferences. At first, I baked gluten free items for personal reasons. However, family and friends encouraged the idea of selling my baked goods. And that is how all this began.

2. Are there other highlights of Sweet Millie’s Bakery products? Dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free etc? Local ingredients?

At this moment there are no other highlights outside of gluten-free. However, I do use local honey. When farmers markets are open, I try to incorporate local ingredients more often. I do use almond flour in my baked goods, and currently use Bob’s Red Mill gluten free oats in my oatmeal cookies.

3.What steps do you take to ensure that Sweet Millie’s items are truly gluten-free? Your Family Eats Gluten in your Home. How Do You Prevent Cross Contact?

When it comes to baking, I use flours and other products that are certified gluten free. My bakeware, and stand mixer, is solely devoted to gluten free baking. In addition, I use separate bowls, measuring spoons, utensils, and baking trays for gluten free products. I also use parchment paper when baking.

As you mentioned, my kitchen is primarily gluten free with the exception of my family’s snacks which contain wheat. But, wheat flour is never present in my kitchen or home. All measures are taken to put those away prior to any baking and packaging. The area is cleaned before any of my gluten free products are taken out to be used.

I know cross contamination is a serious issue. Therefore I make sure everyone knows there is wheat/gluten in my home, but take great care to prevent cross contact.

4. Can you share a story of a customer who’s been greatly impacted by your business?

I do not have any life changing testimonies available to share at this moment. I have had family and friends tell me personally how they are so excited to have something gluten free that actually tastes good and they no longer feel deprived of delicious treats.

5. What would you like consumers to know about Sweet Millie’s Bakery?

I make all my products for my customers as if they were family, with lots of love and attention to detail. I strive for consistency and aim to bring the joy back in baked goodies. As a Michigan Cottage Law business, I cannot ship orders. As I am a stay at home mother, orders need to be picked up. I can bring it out to the customer or I offer contactless pick up as well.

Sweet Millie’s Bakery Location, Hours and Contact Information

Sweet Millie’s Bakery
Redford, MI
Facebook | Instagram | Email
Preferred Contact Method for Orders: Facebook

Sweet Millie’s Bakery is one of many gluten free bakers across the state of Michigan.  Click this link to see a comprehensive list of all the gluten-free bakeries in Michigan, complete with interactive map! Looking for more local eats? Check out my list of gluten free baked good options at Michigan Farmers Markets. 

The post Sweet Millie’s Bakery appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

**This is an interview with the owner. Please scroll to bottom of page for bakery address, phone number, website, email and social media links.**

The gluten free community is an amazing thing. When I was diagnosed 20 years ago, we didn’t have Facebook or Instagram. We relied on new product information from support groups or magazines. Today, we can follow hashtags on Twitter or Instagram, or tag companies in a post, and discover so many things! It’s amazing!

That’s exactly how I discovered Elizabeth Otten, the mom and owner behind Curious Cakes. I follow someone on Instagram that shares about gluten free finds in the greater Grand Rapids, Michigan area. She shared about an amazing cake she ordered for her daugher’s birthday, and I asked Elizabeth more about her business. Here are her answers, so you can learn too!

1. What inspired you to become a baker? Why the focus on gluten-free?

Doctors diagnosed my son with celiac disease at 12 months of age. We spent weeks at our pediatrician and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, including a week long admission prior to his diagnosis. He was very sick, experienced failure to thrive, and declined in reaching his milestones.

He was so sick, in fact, that he had gastroparesis. This required a feeding tube for 12 weeks. Once we figured out the celiac diet with the amazing help of the GI group and dieticians at HDVCH, there was no way I was EVER taking the risk of him getting sick again. Therefore, I removed all gluten free our household. When his (and my older son’s) birthday rolled around, I didn’t trust anyone to make a cake for them so I figured I would just do it myself. I am a self taught baker and cake decorator.

2. Are there other highlights of your products?  Dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free etc?

Other allergens such as dairy, eggs and soy are present in my home kitchen. My main focus is preparing celiac safe baked goods.

3. What steps do you take to ensure that Curious Cakes baked goods are truly gluten-free?

I use certified gluten free products and research the gluten free status of my ingredients. I don’t keep gluten in my house due to my son’s severe reaction. If I wouldn’t feed it to my son, it doesn’t go in my cakes. In addtion, I do no use oats in my products at this time.

4. Can you share a story of a customer who’s been greatly impacted by your business?

Curious Cakes is brand new, so I don’t have many stories. (Yet!) The biggest “feedback” is  my son’s health. His antibody levels are now normal. When he was admitted to HDVCH they were “critical” and we were told it would take years for them to come down. I see that as a win. For a review from a happy customer, see this post from GRGlutenFree on Instagram, about the cake pictured below.

5. What would you like consumers to know about Curious Cakes?

Health is my biggest priority. I am a Physician Assistant, in addition to a being a mom to a child with Celiac Disease. Because I have a separate full-time job, I prefer 2 weeks advance notice for all cake orders. (The more the better!) I look forward to discussing your cake ideas with you!

Location, Hours and Contact Information

Curious Cakes, LLC
Grandville, MI
Facebook | Instagram | Email

No storefront. Preferred Contact for Orders-  Email or Instagram messenger
Local delivery is available, or orders can picked up from Elizabeth’s location.

Curious Cakes is one of many dedicated gluten free bakers across the state of Michigan.  Click this link to see a comprehensive list of all the gluten-free bakeries in Michigan, complete with interactive map!

The post Curious Cakes LLC – Wyoming/Grandville appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

**This is an interview with the owner. Please scroll to bottom of page for bakery address, phone number, website, email and social media links.**

I came across Kate Gale of Love, Kate’s Kitchen via a friend in Oregon. Kate and the Farber sisters were both taking part in a baking challenge, and I discovered Kate in the comments section. Imagine my surprise when I learned Kate lived in my own state! I’ve been following her ever since, and am excited to finally share her business with you.

Like many bakers on my list, Love, Kate’s Kitchen is a home based business. Living in a house with a dedicated gluten free kitchen since 2014, all her baked goods are therefore gluten free. While just getting Love, Kate’s Kitchen started, she hopes to join a farmer’s market or two. In the meantime, I’ll let Kate explain more about her business, in her own words.

1. What inspired you to become a baker? Why the focus on gluten-free?

When I switched to a gluten free diet, due to a gluten intolerance in 2011, I felt depressed and really hungry. My knowledge of gluten free options was limited. I lacked connection to any GF communities for support, and the items I did try tasted like chalk and dust. I felt like I couldn’t participate in celebrations or social events.

My sister gifted me a gluten-free cookbook to try to help, but I didn’t open it for a while. After missing the Mac n Cheese at Slows BBQ in Corktown Detroit, I finally attempted my first baked Mac n Cheese, making my own gluten free roux to start. After that, I just started challenging myself to cook and bake more. I found recipes that looked delicious and started altering them to be safe for myself to eat.

I knew I might be on to something when I entered a blind baking challenge at a work retreat, against other non gluten-free items.  I received amazing reviews for my scones and cupcakes! Since then, I’ve discovered a love of baking and preparing food that’s inclusive for everyone. I feel super lucky that I have so many supporters who believe in me and what I create.

2. Are there other highlights of your products?  Dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free etc?

I do use eggs, dairy, nuts and soy in my kitchen. However, I make custom orders for those needing baked goods free from those items. In addition, I have experience baking grain free and keto items as well. Plus, I love using local ingredients, if I can! In the warmer months I try to shop for local items at the farmer’s market, especially things like farm fresh eggs. I do my best to stick to high-quality ingredients because our bodies deserve to be treated that way!

3. What steps do you take to ensure that Love, Kate’s Kitchen baked goods are truly gluten-free?

I look for trusted brands that are certified gluten-free, and items that are naturally gluten-free. If I need to do further research, I will. A few brands that I love are Cup4Cup, Sander’s Candy, Kerrygold butter, Guernsey dairy products, Kirkland Signature almond flour, and many more. I stick to certified gluten-free oats, such as Bob’s Red Mill or Nature’s Path Organic.

4. Can you share a story of a customer who’s been greatly impacted by your business?

A friend had a small intimate wedding ceremony, because pandemic precautions postponed her scheduled wedding date. Being the thoughtful person that she is, she reached out and asked if I could make gluten-free and dairy-free cupcakes for some very special people on their guest list.

We decided on a dozen snickerdoodle cupcakes that were gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy-free. It was the first time I’d made a vegan buttercream, and a snickerdoodle cupcake flavor. However everything turned out to be lovely on a love-full day! I received feedback from said special guests, and it was extremely positive. I truly felt honored.

5. What would you like consumers to know about Love, Kate’s Kitchen?

I want customers to know that baking is my heart’s passion. I’m a part-time, batch-bake, small business, but a happy one! I am always open to working with people for custom requests, as well as taking any orders from what is seen on my Instagram page.
I am so happy to bring inclusive bakes to those who need it, and to those who don’t and just like really delicious baked goods. Gluten-free doesn’t have to mean lack of flavor or texture. Gluten-free can be for everyone!

Location, Hours and Contact Information

Love, Kate’s Kitchen
Plymouth, MI
Website  | Facebook | Instagram | Email

No storefront. Preferred Contact for Orders- Direct Message on IG or email
I prefer to have people pick up from my home or meet people at a public place in Downtown Plymouth. I will deliver to surrounding areas (Northville, Plymouth Township, Canton) for an additional $5.

Love, Kate’s Kitchen is one of many dedicated gluten free bakers across the state of Michigan.  Click this link to see a comprehensive list of all the gluten-free bakeries in Michigan, complete with interactive map!

**All photos were provided by Kate Gale**

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