Lara’s fondness for baking along with her drive and determination helped her forge a path to becoming a professional baker. She worked passionately to sharpen her skills at local bakeries and learning from top regional pastry chefs. Her dedication, talent and hard work earned her a dream opportunity to became the head baker for Seagull Bakery which employs, mentors and teaches individuals with autism. Lara not only shows her brilliant skills in her daily busy routine but also finds time to give back to the community by providing baking lessons. Lara’s successful career is admirable and inspirational. We want to wish her lots of success in all her future endeavors.

Can you tell us about your journey of becoming Head Baker at Seagull Bakery?L:  I wanted to be a baker since I was about 16 years old. I loved to cook and bake and when I was little, and that stayed with me as a career. In school I worked in the cafeteria learning kitchen prep and other skills. I also got a job at Subway, prepping the vegetables and cleaning. A friend of our family owned a bakery and I bugged her for a job when I was 21. She taught me how to make the best brownies, and everybody loved them. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a professional baker!

What is your daily job routine?L: I work at a busy bakery and each morning I have a list waiting for me at my work station. I have about 5-10 things to make every day, like cookies, pecan pie bars, cakes, and cheesecakes, things like that. Everything is made from scratch so I also prep some things for the pastry chefs who do the decorating and packaging. I make caramel, chocolate ganache, meringue, buttercream icings, lemon curd, and other things like that.

What is the most challenging part of this job?L: Sometimes it’s too busy, and I get overwhelmed and have to stop and take breaks. It’s also hard when I make a mistake and we have to throw away the batter or whatever goes wrong. But I’ve learned that everybody makes mistakes, and it’s no big deal. But sometimes it makes me feel bad.

What are the three things you want to learn and why?L:  I really want to decorate cupcakes! All the bakers can do that except me, but I’m practicing. Sometimes I get to use the round tip or the star tip for the icing, but I’d like to do it more. I also want to do new items to sell, like 3” dark chocolate tortes, and clafutti, which have fruit fillings. We are opening a storefront soon, and I’ll get to try out new things there, to see if they sell ok.

Who is your inspiration?L: the pastry chefs who taught me how to be a professional baker

Who is your favorite celebrity ?L: I have so many!

What do you like to do when you are with your family?L:  I like to hang out and watch football games on tv, and I like to spent the holidays with my family, especially Christmas!

What are your other hobbies?L:  Actually I like to write books, and illustrate them! I’m writing a book about fairies called the Miljum Book. I also like to hang out with friends.

Any special message for our community?L: I am a valuable person!