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Chef Dr. Gidget

I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and lived there until I married my husband, Jordan, in 2007. We have two boys, Brayden and Harrison, and one dog, Hudson. We currently reside in Navarre, Florida, where we enjoy lounging by the pool, cruising through the waves on our boat, visiting local attractions, and spending time at home playing games and watching movies. The boys love visiting trampoline and amusement parks while Jordan enjoys spending time woodworking and I delight in relaxing with a good book.

Educator Life

After spending my childhood working in my father’s restaurants, I decided I wanted to take a different path. I didn’t want to endure long hours on my feet, so I followed my passion for education. Little did I know, this field also involved long hours on my feet. Despite the daily grind, being an educator proved to be both challenging and rewarding.

My journey as an educator began in 1999 after I graduated from the University of Montevallo with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a secondary teaching degree for grades 6 through 12. Over the next eight years, I taught math in various middle and high schools, changing schools four times for different reasons. Each move brought new experiences and broadened my understanding of education.

Teaching was just one of my goals; I aspired to become an administrator. To achieve this, I pursued further education at Samford University, earning a Master of Science, Education Specialist, and Doctor of Education, all in educational leadership. However, life had other plans when I met a military man. In 2007, I married Jordan and began moving frequently. These moves hindered my path to administration, leading me to explore other roles in education. Beyond being a teacher, I took on various roles, including tutor, adjunct instructor at several colleges, and professor at Valdosta State University. I also briefly studied and interned as an electrical engineer. Finally, I served as an MTSS facilitator and teacher mentor with Tucson Unified School District, where I also participated in a superintendent internship and leadership academy. My journey in education spanned 21 years, concluding in 2020.

Changing My Path

After 21 years as an educator, COVID hit, and everything changed. My husband retired from the military after 21 years of service and initially took a job with Delta. However, the pandemic brought an end to his dream of being an airline pilot. Consequently, we relocated to Navarre, Florida, where he accepted a position as a contracted instructor pilot. This move prompted me to reassess my life and priorities, leading me to choose a new path.

During my two decades in education, I witnessed many changes, particularly in student behavior and the ways schools manage these behaviors. The struggle to maintain an effective classroom environment became increasingly challenging. Amidst the mounting challenges in the realm of education, navigating the process of obtaining a new teaching certificate in a different state and securing verification of my experience was more burdensome than I was willing to endure. Therefore, I decided it was time for a change.

Encouraged by my husband, I chose to follow my passion for baking. Recognizing that the COVID-19 pandemic had reshaped the landscape of traditional learning, I sought out an alternative path to hone my skills by enrolling in Escoffier Culinary Arts, an online pastry school. With newfound knowledge and confidence, I embarked on a journey to turn my passion into a profession. Armed with a desire to share my delectable creations, I founded Jordet’s Homemade Delights, a cottage food baking business dedicated to creating edible art that is infused with love, passion, and creativity.

Getting Started

In January 2021, I embarked on a journey to start my own business in Florida by establishing an LLC as a cottage food establishment. My baking business began as a learn-as-you-go experience, as I initially had limited knowledge of the pastry art world. Understanding the importance of hands-on practice, I began with homemade cakes, focusing first on achieving delicious flavors and worrying about aesthetics later.

As evidenced by the evolution of my carrot cake, I’ve made significant strides in my pastry chef journey. Not only have my baking skills improved, but my photography has also seen notable progress.

For a brief overview of the business side of Jordet’s Homemade Delights, visit the About Jordet’s Homemade Delights page.

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