Cookies for a year? I'm in!

Help a bakery get started. Get a cookie a week. Or a cake a month. Read on!



A few weeks ago, my daughter and I launched our dream project - Mockingbird Cafe & Bakery - on IndieGoGo. Here's that link:  Mockingbird Cafe & Bakery IndieGoGo campaign

Between the two of us, there's not much we haven't done in the foodservice industry. Prep cook, baker, pizza maker, grill/line cook. You name it, we've cleaned, chopped, cooked and served it. So it was a natural progression of sorts that we would want to serve what we know is good, in our hearts.

Like the chewy ginger cookies above, or this decadent flourless chocolate cake:

A few years back, we both fell in love with Nigella Lawson's Chocolate Cloud Cake (the name alone would've earned our adoration but the cake turned out to be pretty dreamy) and this is our version. We'll be baking it regularly. Folks who contribute $100 to our IndieGoGo campaign can get one of these every month for a year as their reward!

So, we already have a lovely spot picked out and the lease is signed. Here's what it looks like on the inside:

Needs a bit of work but don't you love that floor? I do.

Here's the lovely exterior, recently sandblasted down to its original earthy red by our wonderful landlord:

This building was originally a car dealership in 1911, when they drove autos up to the second and third floors on a sturdy wooden ramp that's still in place!

We are shopping locally whenever possible for furnishings and the like. Here are the lovely refrigerator and range that the kind folks at G&H Appliance are letting us "lay away" until closer to opening:






In case you were wondering, here's the other half of the team:

Pretty AND she cooks. I know, right?

And these guys - experienced innkeeper/entrepreneurs, mechanical engineer and southern breakfast queen - my folks:

Adorable, yes?

By way of a menu, we plan to serve what we do best: Soups and salads made with the freshest ingredients; chicken salad and pimento cheese sandwiches highlighted by scratch-made breads; and sweet desserts, baked to satisfy, every day. Here's an example of one of our specialties, red velvet cupcakes:

IndieGoGo contributors of $25 can get one of these or the cookie above every month for a year, and $50 will get you one per week! Just think, free dessert with lunch - you'll be the envy of all your friends!