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Decorating a cake walk at The Makery

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Contributed by: Crawford Clark/YourHub.com on 2/8/2008

Foregoing a career in molecular biology, The Makery Co. owner and sugar artist Desiree Kelly now concentrates on the science of the sweet life.

While working on a master's in business administration, Kelly discovered that she had an affinity for baking when she made a wedding cake to help out with her younger sister's wedding.

After taking some cake decorating classes at a local craft store, Kelly decided to follow the advice of her business school instructors and look for a need that wasn't being met in her community.

Kelly's craft store classmates complained about the tedious baking portion of the cake decorating process. The students wanted to concentrate solely on decorating, and The Makery was born. The Makery provides the tools, encouragement and skills to help their clients turn an everyday dessert into an individual work of art.

"You don't see many bakeries wanting people to decorate cakes; it's kind of counter-intuitive," Kelly said.

Housed in a retail shopping center at 8203 S. Holly St. in Centennial, The Makery occupies a former drive-through dry cleaner with bright floor to ceiling windows and large, open workspaces.

The construction was not without its issues. Cost overruns and disagreements with architects and contractors caused Kelly to spend almost twice as much as she originally had planned.

"You know that song, ' If You're Going Through Hell;' that was my song," the 31-year-old Green Valley Ranch resident said.

The Makery makes custom-designed cakes in all shapes and sizes. Most of the work for Kelly's eight-person staff has been concentrated on traditional wedding cakes decorated by The Makery's staff, followed by cake decorating parties.

"The wedding cake business has been phenomenal, " Kelly said. "I expected a lot more of adults to use my store, but it's been more kids; it's viewed as more of a children's hobby."

Michaela Coats, 19, of Denver, is finishing up an internship at The Makery as part of her curriculum at the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Ore.

"I was going to be a corporate lawyer, but this is more me," Coates said. "I really like the process; it's like art. This is my art."

The Makery hosts decorating classes for kids of all ages and adults. Wedding cake samples are available every Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.

Another surprise for Kelly was her schedule.

"I didn't think I would be doing so much paperwork. I decorate three days a week and the rest is paperwork and promotions," Kelly said.

Heidi Hamilton, 24, of Lone Tree, has been working at The Makery for 11 months as the head decorator. A graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Denver, Hamilton is also the night manager at The Makery.

"I like to do the wedding cakes," Hamilton said. "I like the attention to detail and the grand scale. It's also fun working with the kids."

Hamilton has studied under Colette Peters, a renowned author and bakery owner in New Your City.

"It's my dream job; there is so much more freedom working with customers rather than on a production line," Hamilton said.

The Makery is participating in the 2008 Colorado Garden and Home Show Feb. 16-17 at the Colorado convention center. The Sweet Times in the Rockies Sugar Art Show will feature a celebrity ice-off and auction to benefit Children's Hospital.

For more information about The Makery, its staff and classes, visit www.themakery.com or call 720-270-4042.

Celebrity ICE-OFF

Sunday, Feb. 17 at 3:30pm in the theater of the Colorado Garden and Home Show at the Colorado Convention Center, COICES will be hosting a very fun benefit for Children's Hospital.

Local celebrities have volunteered to decorate cakes with assistance from local store owners. Lisa Hidalgo from ABC's 7 News will be paired with Desiree Kelly, owner of The Makery Co.; JoJo from 98.5 KYGO's Kelly, Mudflap, and JoJo will be paired with Keegan Gerhard, host of Food Network's Food Network Challenge Series and owner of upcoming DBar Desserts; Shual Turner from Fox 31's My Fox Colorado will be paired with Will Poole, owner of Wen Chocolates.

The pairs will have 30 minutes to decorate cakes, the crowd will pick the winners and the cakes will be auctioned off. Since The Makery is donating all supplies, all monies from the auction will be donated directly to Children's Hospital.

Desiree Kelly is the owner of The Makery, Co..

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