Today we’d like to introduce you to Taija Edwards.
Taija, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I come from a family of home cooks. I am convinced that I was raised in the kitchen, always following around my parents and grandmothers, observing their every move. My grandmother grew up in the countryside of Korea, and she would make the best kimchi and egg-rolls known to mankind. My mother makes the best dressing and beef stew to warm us up in the winter. My father and my aunt would always have sweet potato pie contests every year for Thanksgiving. I had big shoes to fill. Once I was trusted in the kitchen by myself, I found myself making all kinds of creations, from chocolate cake, pound cake, cheesecake and even angel food cake. I would help my father bake the winning sweet potato pie for the family contests (sorry Auntie Gina, he had help), and continue on to make my “famous” chocolate cake for any family gathering at the young age of ten years old. If you were responsible for bringing a dish to the Thanksgiving table, in my family, that was an honor.
Over the years, my love for cooking for others grew. Food brings people together in a way I’ve never experienced before and I’ve always had fond memories of cooking for family and friends. Seeing how their faces lit up with delight after eating a dish I made for them, are the indescribable moments that fill my heart with joy.
Fast forward to Junior Year of college. I surprised my boyfriend and his friends with a cheesecake that I made from scratch for one of our game nights. They all took a bite and told me it was the best cheesecake they have ever tried and that I should make a business from it. After thinking about the opportunity and trying my hand at different flavors of cheesecakes, Guilty Pleasures was born. Sweet treats that are handmade with love and delivered to a sweet tooth in need.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Starting your own business will always come with its book of challenges. Challenges, to me, are just exciting speed bumps to overcome. Cheesecakes are an intimate and delicate dessert to make. Every single step in the process makes a difference. If you over mix the batter, slightly change the temperature in the oven, even down to the temperature of the ingredients you put in will either make or break your creation. I studied how to make a perfect cheesecake, experimented with different “secret” ingredients to get the ultimate combination. Once I got the flow of the process down, making cheesecakes become fun and easy to me. I want everyone to be able to taste and feel the amount of care that is poured into every desert that is ordered from me.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Guilty Pleasures – what should we know?
Guilty Pleasures originally started out as a fun business that would help fund tuition and books for my senior year of college. I am so grateful for everyone who donated, ordered and showed support for this business during that time. After graduation, the business helped me realize my adoration for culinary arts, and now it serves as a way to get into culinary school to help perfect my techniques and bring even sweeter and tastier desserts to the menu.
We specialize in affordable desserts such as cheesecakes and pies that will be delivered to your door, office, school, etc. We have made cakes and cheesecakes for birthdays, family BBQ parties, and even a wedding that’ll be coming up towards the end of the year. I am so grateful that I am able to share these treats with others and be trusted to deliver them to important events such as birthdays and weddings.
The thing that sets Guilty Pleasures apart from others is that you can order a dessert and have it hand-delivered to you (within the Houston area) within two days. Some clients will even get them the next morning! You get all of this for under $40. Quick, affordable, and delicious, that is Guilty Pleasures.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I couldn’t have come this far without first, my family. Thank you for molding me into the Queen of the Kitchen that I am today. I have also had overwhelming support from my friends, and Kickboxing crew from when I taught a fitness class. I am so blessed to be in a supportive community, thank you for all of your orders, donations, and sharing the word on social media. Thank you to my boyfriend and all of my taste testers, who gave me honest feedback that helped me take my treats to the next level. I couldn’t have come this far without all of your support and for that, I will be forever grateful.
Pricing:
- The Original (OG) Cheesecake – $33
- Flavor Box (8 personal cheesecakes; up to 4 flavors) – $35
- Apple Pie (9 Inch) – $35
- Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake – $35
Contact Info:
- Phone: 832-397-7595
- Email: guiltypleasureshtx@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guiltypleasures_htx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImGuiltyHTX/
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
