The Transformative Impact of Baking on Lives
In the heart of New York City, Janie Deegan has found her calling in the world of baking. Her bakery, Janie's Life-Changing Baked Goods, is renowned for its signature pie crust cookies and its commitment to second-chance hiring.
Janie's story begins with her own personal transformation. Struggling with addiction in her early 20s, she found solace in baking. Since then, she has turned her passion into a thriving business, winning awards, scholarships, and media attention, including features on shows like The Chew.
The bakery's success can be traced back to a chance birthday cake order in 2015. From there, Janie started selling her baked goods, and half of her early orders came from strangers, giving her the confidence to sell more. Her unique pie crust cookie recipe, celebrated widely on social media platforms like TikTok, has played a significant role in her business's growth.
Janie's bakery is part of Hot Bread Kitchen Incubates (HBKI), a culinary incubator located in East Harlem. HBKI is known for supporting women- and minority-owned food start-ups, aligning with Janie's mission to provide opportunities to people overcoming difficulties such as addiction.
Recently, Janie signed a contract with Balducci's and King's, an East Coast chain of gourmet food markets. The hope is that the pie crust cookies will be in stock in time for the holidays at Balducci's on West 56th Street.
Baking has always been a form of self-expression for Janie. As a child, it was a way to express herself, and as an adult, it became a form of self-care. She spent the last two years applying for scholarships, enrolling in programs like HBKI, and seeking counsel wherever she could get it.
Janie's pie crust cookies are a unique twist on traditional American desserts. They are made by topping a disk of flaky pie crust with a layer of pie filling and a chunky, sugary streusel. Janie's ambition is to own a café or a cookie empire, and with her inspiring story and delicious baked goods, there's no doubt she'll continue to make a significant impact in the baking industry.
As she reflects on her journey, Janie says, "how amazing that I could build that for myself." Her story is a testament to the power of second chances and the transformative power of baking.
[1] Article about Janie's Life-Changing Baked Goods and its second-chance hiring mission
[2] Article about Janie Deegan's appearance on The Chew
[3] Article about Janie's pie crust cookies on TikTok
- Janie Deegan's baking journey, marked by personal growth and educational achievements, has led her to build a successful lifestyle brand focused on food-and-drink, named Janie's Life-Changing Baked Goods, which offers unique baked treats and prioritizes education-and-self-development and personal-growth by providing second-chance hiring opportunities.
- In the realm of education-and-self-development and personal-growth, Janie Deegan's baking has been a key element in her transformation, as she spent the last two years applying for scholarships, enrolling in programs like Hot Bread Kitchen Incubates (HBKI), and seeking counsel to hone her skills and turn her passion into a thriving business.
- Janie's Life-Changing Baked Goods, known for its signature pie crust cookies and unique food-and-drink offerings, continues to growing in popularity, earning recognition from prestigious institutions such as Balducci's and King's, and becoming a trending topic on social media platforms like TikTok, showcasing its impact on both the lifestyle industry and the broader food-and-drink scene.