Welcome to
Balota’s Bites

I have always loved baking. Since I was a kid, I would spend my free time in the kitchen trying out new recipes and learning new skills. While I am mostly self taught, I have had quite a few amazing experiences learning from some of the best. In college, I studied abroad in Florence, Italy at the Florence University of the Arts. I did an internship there at the University's bakery. On the second day of that internship, the chef asked me if I would return to Italy in the fall to be part of a team of 10 pastry chefs creating desserts for James Beard Foundation Events. I said absolutely I will be there! I took the next semester off college and went back to Italy. We studied, worked, practiced, and created delicious desserts for the James Beard Foundation. I am so grateful for the opportunities I was given in Italy, I brought home so many new skills, techniques, and recipes. After being abroad, I went back to college in Missouri but continued baking. I had an internship at a local French Patisserie where I worked many different stations including pastries, breads, macarons, sandwiches, and baking.  I learned more than I could have imagined! I graduated college with a major in Hospitality Management and a minor in Business. After graduating I went back to St. Louis and was hired to make all of the breads for the local French Patisserie's bakery. Now, years later, I am working in travel and have moved away from the day to day bakery job. I am continuing to reignite my passion for baking through baking for myself and my loved ones. I am hoping to spread my joy of baking with you all through these bake sales. I offer many different treats and I can't wait for you to try them! Thank you for hearing my story and I hope you enjoy Balota's Bites! 

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-Abby Balota