My story

How I started

I started cooking with my late dad as a little girl. He included me in everything while making dinner. I remember learning to cook spaghetti with him, making homemade French fries together, pigs in a blanket, cheesy eggs- all things that I would now consider easy meals. But it sparked a joy and love for cooking in me. As a five year old, I even started a small fire by microwaving a bag of Doritos. Bon Appetit, baby.

I still remember the first cookbook I got. I spotted the Better Homes and Gardens Junior Cookbook walking through Sams and BEGGED him for it. There were very basic recipes In it that I would “zhuzh up,” sometimes making completely inedible meals. One specific example comes to mind when I decided to wing a cake for my parents when they went out for the day. I have no recollection if my brother and I were being monitored or not-it was the 90s-take it up with the man in heaven. But I pulled out every possible baking ingredient we had: eggs, sprinkles, food coloring, flour, syrup, maybe sugar, possibly mayonnaise- no leaveners lol and baked a horrid looking green monsterish cake. I proudly presented it to my parents (like “yeah-I’m that girl”) and my version remembers my dad praising me for such a great cake. Prayers for his palate please.

I've since grown a deep appreciation for all things food and cooking. When I travel, my experience is centered around the food- finding the holes in the wall and must-eat spots. I’ve spent an obnoxious amount of time watching countless YouTube videos of independent bakers and cooks. My childhood comfort show was Barefoot Contessa. lol. I’ve developed a healthy addiction to cookbooks, failed at many meals and bakes, but also succeeded in things I never thought I would be able to accomplish. I’ve gone from making completely flat and hard dinner breads to challahs, sourdoughs, babkas, croissants, macarons and dinner breads that my kids inhale with butter and beg for more. I feel that cooking and baking is so deeply personal and it is truly a deep part of who I am. It is one of the places I find the most meaning. I love cooking meals for friends with newborn babies and understanding the ingredients that people like and don’t like. I enjoy learning the cultural history of meals and the importance of the way things are made.

I developed thebaconspace as a stay at home mom looking for a creative outlet in 2020. With having young kids that kept me on my toes, I lost steam and picked it back up after a few years. After lots of cake practice, I was encouraged by both friends and family to start my own business. Um no. For a high-anxiety introvert, putting myself out there felt like jumping off a cliff but I’m so glad I ended up doing it. Eventually, a friend asked me to make a paid cake for her daughter’s birthday and I said yes! I’ve since made many cakes, cupcakes, macarons and cake pops for special events. I don’t think I’ll ever forget an order and sincerely love what I do.

Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about me.

With love,

Gio