Meet Lauren Newsome of Vintage Confections in Medical Center

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Newsome.

Lauren, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My passion for baking started at a young age. I came from a family of amazing home-cooks and bakers who although were all different with their techniques, produced some of the best cake and pastry. I learned by watching them and tried to emulate their every move. After graduating nursing school and spending time in hospitals both in the inpatient and outpatient worlds, that need to create and experiment with different flavors, cakes, and pastry never left me. Instead, that need was growing larger and I knew that I had to do something to satiate my craving. I had always loved baking for other people and seeing their reactions. There’s something special about being able to create something for someone and see their eyes light up as soon as they taste it.

So I decided to start my own business which would pay homage to the classic desserts of my childhood. Being born and raised in the South allowed me to offer things you wouldn’t typically see in today’s modern bakery. Rather it be peach cobbler, tea cakes, key lime pie, or pound cake, I wanted to feature it all. But I just didn’t want to stop there. I’ve always been inspired by French Pastry. I decided to incorporate a little of that by also offering French classics like madelines and tarts. My approach is to bake wholeheartedly and with soul. I hope people feel that love when they taste my baking.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Although I am doing what I love, it is not always easy. Trying to stand out and gain clients amid larger bakeries is a struggle. A lot of my business comes from word of mouth, family, and friends. Promoting yourself and your work on the continuous basis can be really hard and stressful, especially since I am still working part time as a nurse. It doesn’t leave a lot of leisure time. But I feel through hard work and perseverance, I can achieve anything.

Vintage Confections – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I started Vintage Confections about a year ago after a very in-depth conversation with my worker about following dreams. I felt like what better time than the present to really do what I love in a bigger capacity. I specialize in cakes (bundt cakes, layer cakes, mini cakes), cookies, pastry (tarts, cobblers), and cupcakes. I am most known for my million dollar pound cake, key lime pie, and cookies (think snickerdoodle, chocolate chip, five spice, oatmeal cream pies, and Mexican wedding cookies 🙂 ) I am most proud of my authenticity. I cook from the heart, and bake the desserts my grandmother does. And although I am true to my roots, I am not afraid to step outside the box and try different things (like Chinese Five Spice Cookies). I let whatever is fueling my passion at the time be my guide to what I bake next. I do not conform to match what everyone is doing. I care deeply about my clients and I want to feel good about what I serve them. I only bake with fresh quality, in season ingredients. That care to detail I think is what sets me apart from everyone else.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moment of my career so far was creating a dessert table for a baby shower. Not only did I bake all of the desserts, I also decorated for her event. I love when clients allow me to be creative and trust me with making their dreams for their day come true and that’s exactly what happened while preparing for this shower. To see the smiles and hear all the oooh’s and ahhh’s that came from the mom to be and her guests were truly magical.

Contact Info:

• Email: info.vcsweets@gmail.com
• Instagram: @vintage_confections
• Facebook: @vcsweetshtx

Image Credit:
Lauren Newsome

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