Tamara King is building following with her baking talents and her business, Divine Dessert by Tamara.
Tell us about Divine Dessert by Tamara.
Divine Dessert by Tamara is a dessert catering company that specializes in scratch baking, and it has traveled with me to each duty station my husband served on and once he retired, I have put roots down in Jacksonville, and I work from a commercial kitchen.
Tell us about your background, especially as it applies to your career.
My baking background began when I was a child. My grandmothers were excellent bakers. I remember how delicious my Grandmother Mary’s cake was and how the family truly enjoyed them. I tried my hand at baking around the age of 11, and my first cake was so flat and it had pieces of flour and coagulated eggs in it. I continued to practice and God gave me the opportunity to go to culinary school at Pikes Peak Community College while my husband was stationed in Colorado Springs.
What do you like best about what you do?
I really enjoy baking from scratch because you have to stay present, no daydreaming or you could really mess up the recipe. I also enjoy making buttercream flowers and gum paste flowers.
What is a typical day like for you?
A typical day for me is working my 9-5 job, then going to my kitchen to measure ingredients for upcoming orders for the week.
Are you from this area originally, or did you settle here from somewhere else?
I am originally from Newark, New Jersey, served in the Marine Corps for a few years and moved to Florida after my husband retired from the Marine Corps.
What do you like best about living here?
The best part about living in Florida is the close proximity to the beach. I can always pretend I am on vacation when need be.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I spend some of my free time enjoying my backyard listening to all the beautiful songbirds. I also use some of my free time to exercise with a kettlebell. Wedding cakes can get heavy.
What’s next for you and Divine Dessert by Tamara?
What’s next for me is to continue growing my business, help my Mother adjust to her big move from New Jersey to Florida. And for Divine Dessert by Tamara is to continue to meet and serve couples during wedding season. During off season, I am planning to host pop-up dessert sales and on the menu will be cake slices, cinnamon rolls and cookies that are perfect when you want to treat yourself!
