We recently connected with Amber Holmes and have shared our conversation below.
Amber, thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.
My generosity was instilled in me by my mother. She taught and showed me how to be giving and care for others and with that giving has become my love language. It brings me so much happiness to give back through my talents and kind heart.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My passion for baking started at a young age with just playing with my Easy Bake oven. In middle school I started my first business were I sold and baked homemade desserts and cakes for my church, family members, friends and classmates. I became known as everyone’s go to for desserts and cakes. After graduating high school, I attended Florida State College at Jacksonville and received my A.S. degree in culinary management. I then went on to attend Le Cordon Bleu in Orlando, Fl and received my diploma in patisserie. I have worked in several fine dining restaurants, hotels and cruise line.
In January of 2015 after returning home from working on Norwegian Cruise Line, I was uncertain of what my purpose in life was and I had no clear direction as to what I wanted to do. One day I was watching a reality bakery show and I came up with the idea to do dessert tables. As my pastor would say, “write down the vision and make it plain” and God gave me the vision and purpose for Sweet & Chic Events. I didn’t have all together but I just started where I was and I was blessed to have clients and family give me a chance to showcase my work and since then Sweet & Chic Events has grown tremendously. On February 3, 2023 I opened up my first brick and mortar.
Sweet & Chic Events was created to bring a luxury and elevated experience to events. We custom each dessert table to tailor our clients needs and theme. It brings me so much happiness to see our clients reactions and seeing them enjoy the hard work that was put into creating a masterpiece.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Having culinary and hospitality knowledge has definitely helped me throughout my career. If your just starting out in the culinary industry I would recommend taking some culinary courses to help broaden your knowledge and to be around a culinary community. Hospitality is a great trait to have when it comes to customer service and providing your clients with the ultimate experience.
Working in various roles within the culinary industry has been a great way to learn all sides of the industry. I worked in the back of the house as a cook and pastry chef and in the front of the house as a server, host and bartender. This has helped me understand all aspects of how a restaurant operates.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Sweet & Chic Events would like to be a haven for kids with disabilities and a platform for inclusivity. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to flourish and thrive. We are looking to give back and support programs and initiatives aimed at empowering kids with disabilities. We are looking to provide and donate desserts services to home health care agencies that care for disabled children and to non profit organizations as well. We also want to be a fun and safe place where they feel welcomed and loved.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sweetandchic.events
- Instagram: @sweetandchicevents
- Facebook: Sweet & Chic Events
- Linkedin: Sweet & Chic Events
Image Credits
A. Estelle Photography
