Valentine’s Day: Chef Connie Bakes

white chocolate covered Valentine’s Day Heart Box

Artisan Chocolate Boxes – Chef Connie Mullins, Jewelry provided by: J. Pacetti Precious Jewels, Photography by: Scott Womack

When you stumble upon a private chef who bakes intricately designed chocolate boxes in the finest quality ingredients- you know it’s an excellent day.  Chef Connie Mullins knew she was destined be a chef at a very young age.  She started to bake when she was just 5 years old and decorated her first cake at the age of 10. At 12 years old, she began to play around with food and since then, she’s worked in an array of roles within the culinary industry.  “I had an aunt that sewed for Victor Costa,” said Connie, “She really inspired me.  She was a cake artist and baked beautiful wedding cakes- any type of dessert really.”  Her aunt passed down a book to her from the School of Wilton and that’s how Connie learned to decorate cakes.  She decorated them all through high school and sold them on the side.

6″ Heart Strawberry Cake filled with Strawberry Swiss Buttercream with a bed of mixed berries on top of white chocolate shavings.

Chocolate Valentine’s Day Heart Box

Artisan Chocolate Boxes – Chef Connie Mullins, Jewelry provided by: J. Pacetti Precious Jewels, Photography by: Scott Womack

mini-filled Valentine’s Day Chocolate Heart Boxes

Jewelry provided by: J. Pacetti Precious Jewels, Photography by: Scott Womack

Valentine’s Day Dark Chocolate Heart Box

Jewelry provided by: J. Pacetti Precious Jewels, Photography by: Scott Womack

And, how did Chef Connie Bakes come to be?  After cooking on her own for so long, Connie enrolled in professional classes at El Centro college in the food and hospitality program.  “At that time, there wasn’t a bakery pastry program,” she said, “But, while I was there, one was approved and I went back through the baking and pastry program as well.”  In fact, it was through this program, that Connie was able to choose her favorite dish she’s ever made. “It was vanilla puddin’ and I started making it in 1973 for my brother,” she said, “When I did enter culinary school and was admitted into the pastry program, it was one of the recipes the chef went over that all pastry chef’s must learn how to master: pastry cream (because it’s used throughout the bake shop).  And, it’s funny because what I had always called my vanilla pudding had been pastry cream all along- and I’d been making it since I was 12 years old just by feel and sight!”

Chef Connie’s own favorite food is German Chocolate Cake.  “It’s the cake I grew up on, the cake my mom made for every holiday, special occasion, and I’ve kind of created my own version of it- changed it a little bit.  That’s one of the things I’m known for: the German Chocolate Cake.”  As for the Valentine’s Day holiday, she loves her Chocolate Heart Boxes – and for good reason- they are unique, one-of-a-kind, and eye-catching. “It’s something that I’ve been doing since the 90s,” she said, “They are great because you can enjoy the chocolate and keep the box for remembrance!”  The Valentine’s Day box can also be inscribed and filled with jewelry or chocolate covered strawberries- it really is the perfect gift.  Connie credits Chef Bill Hunter (whom she trained under) with administering much of her knowledge of the chocolate work and the chocolate tiles that decorate the box.

But, chocolate aside, this Dallas based chef credits the very best attribute of her business to be the moments spent working with her clients and catering to their needs. “I stay true to my profession,” she said, “I don’t take shortcuts or make substitutions for quality and the quality ingredients.  I use the finest ingredients, real chocolate, real butter, eggs, fruit – I don’t use imitations.  I stay true to that and it can be tough to do so in the pastry world, but that was something that I was taught.  You never cross that line and you stay true to it.  To me, insuring quality to my clients is everything.”  Connie is involved in several charity organizations in the Dallas community.  She lists her work with Elizabeth Home, Susan G. Komen, and the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas as all causes dear to her.  In fact, at the Ronald McDonald House, she’s just formed a group with other chefs who go together as a team to cook meals. “Over the holidays, we did gingerbread houses,” she said, “We made 28 gingerbread houses for all of the families there.  After dinner, they’d decorate the houses and loved it.  It helps them get their mind off some of the things they are going through – they seem find happiness in the moment.”

Valentine’s Day House

Sweetheart Sugar Cookies

Cupcakes and itty bitty cupcakes

Reese, Connie’s granddaugther, decorating a gumdrop tree.

And, where does she find her inspiration?  How does she keep her creations fresh holiday after holiday?  “Right now, it’s my mini-me, my granddaughter, Reese,” she said, “She’s been baking since she was 2 and is now 6.  Just looking into her eyes I get a lot of ideas! This year, I’ve added itty bitty cupcakes and itty bitty cookies for the special little ones.”   Connie recommends at least a weeks notice to order her special creations- and she does deliver and even travels herself.  “In fact, this summer, I’m off to Aspen in July,” she said.  She notes she often travels with families that hire her to go to their home for a week or weekend as their personal chef throughout their trip.  “I do company dinners, special holidays, and company gift boxes as well,” said Connie, “I always sit down with my clients and customize what’s right for them.  We find out exactly what they need.”

And, that personal attention is what set’s Connie’s creations apart from the rest.  She makes everything from scratch and does not mass-produce her creations- everything is customized, personal, and artisan. From light to dark to white chocolate- Chef Connie Bakes. We are so lucky to have the opportunity to enjoy Connie’s exquisite creations and to celebrate their exquisite craft and painstaking attention to detail. Yes, if there’s one thing that’s for certain, it’s this chef has talent.

Find your perfect Valentine’s Day gift (or one for another occasion) on the Chef Connie Bakes page here.

*Valentine’s Day Chocolate Boxes begin at $30

(*1 week advanced order is advised)

- all artisan baked goods featured by: Chef Connie Mullins, contact her with all inquiries.