BELLE'S STORY

     The Georgian Belle is Ashley. Ashley’s story as a cake artisan began long before she was even born. The story begins with Ashley’s maternal Grandmother, Dorothy Mae, (affectionately known as “Dot”). Dot was known throughout Dallas, Texas for her scrumptiously moist and mouth-watering cakes, pies, and breads. Dot worked as a cook for several decades in downtown Dallas. On any given weekend, Dot could be found in her kitchen “stirring up a batch of sweet confectionary love” to be consumed by any number of friends, family members, church-goers, or strangers. Likewise, Dot’s two sisters, Margaret “Tootsie” and Melvina “Pee-Wee” were also well known for their delectable cakes, pies, and breads. With these three exceptional women on hand, our family gatherings were never short of home-baked sweets. Purchasing a cake, pie, or specialty bread from the local grocery store, simply was not an option! Oh, did I forget to mention that “Dot” was also famous for her homemade vanilla ice cream!

 

        Now enter, Ashley’s Mother, Joyce into the story. Like her Mother, “Dot,” Joyce also worked as a cook. “Dot’s” gift for baking cakes, pies, and breads was passed on to Joyce. Ashley and her sisters grew up accustomed to the sight and smell of homemade German Chocolate cake, 7-up Pound cake, Pineapple Upside- Down cake, Caramel cake, Banana bread, and a host of cobblers and pies. Joyce attempted to branch out on her own in the cake business, but the demands of being a mother of three left little room for her to truly capitalize on her gifting. Joyce, her Mother, and her two aunts have passed on, but their confectionary gifting  has graciously been passed on to Ashley.

 

       Ashley’s gifting seemed to lay dormant until Thanksgiving Day 2013, when the gift was released. Ashley announced to the family that she intended to bake a cake for Thanksgiving dinner. Her announcement was met with very little excitement, as we were unaware of her baking skills. To our delight (and to Ashley’s surprise as well), her pound cake and lemon cake proved to be amazingly delectable treats! Not only were Ashley’s Thanksgiving cakes delicious, but they were also beautiful to behold. Her natural gift for artistry (also passed on from her Mother) was evident in her cake presentation. After that Thanksgiving dinner, the word quickly spread amongst Ashley’s circle of friends, co-workers, and family members. Within days, Ashley began to hone her craft, as the requests for her cakes and cupcakes came pouring in from all around the Charm City Baltimore area. Being born and raised in Georgia (the Peach State), Ashley chose the name Georgian Belle for her quickly blossoming bakery business. The name Georgian Belle reflects Ashley’s uniquely Southern home-made baking style, as passed on from God through her Grandmother, Aunts, and Mother.

 

View Ashley’s beautiful craftsmanship in the photo gallery.

 

Choose your delight, and contact georgianbellebakes@gmail.com to place an order.