Today we’d like to introduce you to Anabelle Adkins.
Hi Anabelle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am the owner of Semilla Baking Co., currently based in Houston, TX. I’ve always loved to bake, after high school I went to Culinary School then got my Bachelor’s in Foodservice Management. I chose to do the Culinary program instead of Baking and Pastry because I didn’t want to limit myself. After graduating, I started working in small fine dining restaurants and switched from savory cooking to pastry pretty quickly. I first worked Newport, RI, then moved to Northern California and lived and worked in Napa & Sonoma. I moved back to my home state of Texas in November 2019 to be closer to family and started working on my brand, Semilla. Once COVID hit and I was quarantined, I went all-in on Semilla Baking Co. and started delivering baked goods in my neighborhood, then developed an e-commerce site and got a spot at my first farmer’s market in December 2020. I did a pop-up sale with pre-orders in Austin last year and it was so much fun, I am definitely overdue for the next one, so stay tuned!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would say it’s been surprisingly smooth, but not at all easy. The word of mouth growth has blown me away. In a city that I was new to, I didn’t expect to be able to grow as quickly as I have! Though, for the most part, this has been a one-woman operation and there are definitely limitations to that and there have been many, many weeks with way too little sleep… I am working on the next phase and my first real hire by the end of the year!
As you know, we’re big fans of Semilla Baking Co. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Semilla Baking Co. is a pop-up & delivery bakery. Semilla means “seed” and I chose that because this is my first solo venture, it’s the start of what is to come, I have lots of ideas for concepts and growth in the future! I bake from the heart, with an emphasis on flavor and the overall experience. The idea is to create a memorable food experience, to bake treats and goods that are “worth it”, sometimes indulgent and often nostalgic, sometimes gluten-free or vegan, but always with that focus on the flavor! I love baking for people’s celebrations and family, a lot of my offerings are baked in larger portions for sharing and having at home. Some of my specialties are Oatmeal Cake with Caramel Icing, Giant Chocolate Chunk Cookies with Sea Salt, Sourdough Focaccia, Iced Butter Cookies, Seasonal Scones and delicious and classic birthday cakes. I always use real, high-quality ingredients and add seasonal options to keep it exciting.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love that Austin stays current and bold, it’s evolving and exciting! I personally identify a lot with a more eclectic, free-spirited lifestyle, and always love the vibe of Austin because of that. I definitely plan on expanding to Austin in the future, and more immediately, plan on more pop-ups!
Contact Info:
- Email: anabelle@semillabaking.com
- Website: semillabaking.com
- Instagram: @semillabakingco
Image Credits:
Action photo at farmer’s market is credited to Rice Village Farmer’s Market Social Media Director
