What if the same passion that drives your success is quietly breaking you down? In this powerful episode of The Perfect Rise, Chef Kimberly Houston sits down with Jasmin Vitolo Parks-Papadopoulos, Chief Growth Officer at CHOW (Culinary Hospitality Outreach & Wellness), to unpack the unspoken truth of life in hospitality — and what it really takes to build healthier kitchens. You’ll hear: • The emotional story behind CHOW’s founding after Anthony Bourdain’s passing • The “temperatur...

What does it really take to become a Certified Master Baker—and a true master of your craft? In this episode of The Perfect Rise, Chef Kimberly Houston sits down with Chef Cody Middleton, professor and department head of Baking & Pastry at the International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach (HGTC), to explore the intersection of skill, humility, and leadership in the pastry world. From studying at École Nationale Supérieure de Pâtisserie under the Alain Ducasse education group to earning...

What does it take to rise to the top of the pastry world? In this episode of The Perfect Rise: Conversations with the RBA, Executive Pastry Chef Matthew Ratliff shares his journey from the Culinary Institute of America to competing (and winning) on Food Network, earning elite certifications, and leading the pastry team at the prestigious Everglades Club. Chef Matt opens up about: • The lessons competitions teach that kitchen work cannot • Why sugar artistry remains one of the toug...

What happens when a fine dining pastry chef faces a career-ending injury? For Tracy Mattson, it became the spark that launched Cookie Take a Bite—a boutique cookie brand built on elevated flavors, thoughtful presentation, and a deep commitment to local partnerships. In this episode of The Perfect Rise, host Kimberly Houston sits down with Tracy to unpack her inspiring journey: • How six weeks on the couch turned into the foundation for a thriving bakery. • The leap from farmers markets to b...

From Pastry Chef to Industry Leader: Scott Calvert’s Baking Journey In this episode of The Perfect Rise, Scott Calvert—President of Tootie Pie Co. and immediate past president of the Retail Bakers of America—shares his 35+ year journey in the baking industry. From his start at the New England Culinary Institute to building The Cake Plate, and now leading in wholesale production, Scott’s story is one of adaptation, leadership, and legacy. We talk about: • Transitioning from retail to who...

From Weekend Help to Donut Empire: Gary VanderStelt of Sprinkles Donuts | The Perfect Rise Podcast What happens when the kid who swore he’d never work in a bakery ends up running one of the busiest donut operations in Michigan? In this episode of The Perfect Rise, Chef Kimberly Houston sits down with Gary VanderStelt, owner of Sprinkles Donuts, to talk about how a family legacy turned into a full-blown donut empire—complete with 8+ locations, a 14,000-square-foot kitchen, and over 500,000 don...

What does it really take to become a Certified Master Baker? In this episode of The Perfect Rise, Chef LeeAnn Adams shares her journey—from late nights in the kitchen to passing one of the most intense baking exams in the industry. We talk about the written and practical tests, the pressure, the power of mentorship, and the lifelong impact of becoming a CMB. If you’re a baker chasing excellence or curious about what’s possible in your career, this episode will leave you inspired. • Inside the...

What does it take to go from actor to baker—and find your flavor voice along the way? In this episode of The Perfect Rise, host Kimberly Houston sits down with Taylor Craft, a Kendall College grad and career changer who left a 13-year front-of-house career to chase creativity and precision in pastry. Taylor opens up about her culinary school experience post-2020, how flavor theory changed her baking game, and why staying curious is the real secret to success in the industry. 👩‍🍳 Inside this c...

What does it take to join the elite ranks of Certified Master Bakers (CMB)? In this powerful episode of The Perfect Rise, we go behind the scenes with Chef Austin Scoles—pastry chef, educator, and one of the newest CMBs certified by the Retail Bakers of America. From 10+ weekends of intense practice to a two-day exam that tests everything from precision to endurance, Chef Scoles breaks down the real journey to CMB status—and what most people never hear about the process. 🎓 You’ll learn:  ...

From Fine Pastry to Mentorship: Chef Jennifer Hyde on Lifelong Learning in the Kitchen What does it take to build a career in pastry that spans bread, chocolate, and mentorship? In this episode of The Perfect Rise: Conversations with the RBA, we sit down with Jennifer Hyde, Assistant Pastry Chef at the prestigious Everglades Club in Palm Beach, Florida. With over 15 years of experience in Palm Beach pastry kitchens and certifications in baking, executive pastry, and bread making, Chef Jen bri...

From decorating cakes at age 12 to launching a bakery in memory of her son, Heather Ugorowski’s baking journey is one of passion, purpose, and perseverance. In this heartfelt episode of The Perfect Rise, the RBA podcast, Heather shares the incredible highs and lows of her career—from a 10,000-mile bakery road trip to rebuilding after floods, accidents, and personal loss. Discover how she built the Bleu Moose Bakery café, why she believes in “one pastry at a time,” and how the baking community...

What do you get when you combine a lifelong artist, a pastry chef, and an award-winning educator? You get Certified Master Baker Derek Corsino. In this inspiring episode of The Perfect Rise, we sit down with Derek to explore his journey from eight-year-old cake decorator to Food Network competitor, high school culinary instructor, and published author. Known for pushing creative boundaries in cake design and pushing students to greatness in SkillsUSA competitions, Derek shares the real talk b...

What happens when a high-powered marketing consultant trades her corporate corner office for a 30-quart mixer and a dream? In this powerful episode of The Perfect Rise, Kimberly Houston sits down with Amie Smith, pastry chef and owner of a thriving scratch bakery on Cape Cod, to talk about building a second-act career from the ground up—literally. Amie shares her unexpected journey from Manhattan tech to pastry school, the reality of launching a bakery in her 50s, and the rollercoaster of gro...

In this inspiring episode of The Perfect Rise, host Kimberly Houston sits down with Amy Emberling, Managing Partner at the legendary Zingerman’s Bakehouse, to explore what it really takes to build a bakery business that lasts—not just in years, but in values, vision, and community impact. Amy shares how she went from baking as a child in Nova Scotia to helping build one of the most respected bakeries in the country. You’ll hear her journey through the food industry, her surprising detour into...

What happens when it’s time to step away from the bakery that’s shaped your life? In this episode of The Perfect Rise, we sit down with Shellie Slove—baker’s daughter, third-generation entrepreneur, and Head of Bakery Success at Bakesmart—to explore what comes after bakery ownership. Shellie shares her powerful journey through grief, succession planning, and ultimately selling her family’s bakery. This raw and insightful conversation offers valuable guidance for anyone thinking about their ne...

What does it take to not just survive—but thrive—for 50 years in the baking industry? In this episode of The Perfect Rise, Kimberly Houston sits down with Kirk Rossberg, owner of the award-winning Torrance Bakery and a founding member of the Retail Bakers of America (RBA), to unpack the wisdom he's gained over five decades in the business. Kirk shares his journey from candy apprentice at 13 to leading one of California’s most recognized bakeries. This episode is packed with game-changing insi...

In this episode of The Perfect Rise Podcast, Chef Jesse Jackson III, CMB, shares his incredible journey from pastry chef to educator at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and Certified Master Baker. Jesse takes us through the challenges and triumphs of his career, offering invaluable advice for aspiring culinary professionals and educators. Key Takeaways: How patience and foundational skills shaped Jesse's career in baking and pastry.The importance of embracing mistakes and learning thro...

In this episode of The Perfect Rise, host Kimberly Houston chats with Marc Anderson, President of Linda's Bakery, to uncover the secrets behind his decades-long journey in the baking industry. Marc shares how his small-town roots, family bakery beginnings, and passion for nighttime baking sparked a lifelong career in the culinary world. Together, Kimberly and Marc dive into the biggest lessons he's learned, the importance of loving your work, and how aligning passion with purpose is critical ...

In this inaugural episode, host Kimberly Houston sits down with Marissa Velie to dive deep into the heart of the Retail Bakers of America (RBA)—a community dedicated to supporting bakers at every stage of their journey. Whether you're a seasoned bakery owner, a student just starting out, or an independent baker looking for guidance, the RBA is here to help you rise to your fullest potential. In this episode, we cover: The mission of the RBA and how it serves the baking communityWho can benefi...

Discover how to elevate your baking skills, grow your business, and stay ahead of industry trends. On "The Perfect Rise: Conversations with RBA," you’ll get a sneak peek of the expert insights, practical tips, and inspiring stories our guests will share. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, we’ll show you exactly how to raise your craft—and your career—to the next level. Tune in to learn, connect, and rise with the Retail Bakers of America.