Vendor Spotlight: Cheffy's Culinary Creations

It's long been said that where cooking is an art, baking is a science. Requiring precise measurements, watchful eyes, and exact temperatures and times, good baking needs love, attention to detail, practice, care, and time; all things that Jessica, owner of Cheffy's Culinary Creations, finds joy in. Any given Saturday at Horton you can find Jessica happily chatting away with customers, surrounded by her impressive array of pies, breads, cake pops, cookies, and other baked delights.

Jessica has enjoyed baking for a long time, originally starting out making up baked goods to offer at garage sales with her family and friends, and then expanding to roadside bake sales. Using a mix of family recipes and learned recipes, Jessica began to expand her baked goods repertoire. It took a lot of trial and error, as well as feedback from family and friends, but with practice and determination, Jessica learned to make more and more offerings. When a planned teaching job didn't come to fruition, she was pushed to pivot her plans, and with some encouragement from family and friends, Jessica decided to give farmers markets a try. 

Previously Jessica had also helped friends attend and sell produce and baked goods at summer markets. "I just love the atmosphere [at markets]," Jessica said with a smile. "I love the interactions - it's a fun, unique thing." Coupled with her love for baking, Jessica began to seek out farmers markets to try out. "I tried several out, and kept hearing people say that Horton was the only true farmers' market in the area," she explained. "So I finally called Julia (the interim market manager at Horton), and she got me in for as many weeks as she could." In the summer of 2024, Cheffy's Culinary Creations officially started at Horton. Encouraged by her uncle, who Jessica says has been amazing through her whole journey, she gave it a shot, and she felt right at home at  Horton.

Cheffy's Culinary Creations fits in perfectly at Horton. Jessica's passion, enthusiasm, and love for the community of vendors and market-goers is contagious. She is always smiling; happy to chat with customers, answer questions, and take feedback and custom requests. "Everyone [customers and vendors alike] have been so supportive and good," Jessica said with a smile. "I was amazed at the support that management gave me. Julia told me 'You got this, just keep on going, you've got it.' Just that positive atmosphere really helps." As for the vendors, Jessica loves the supportive, family-like environment they have at Horton. "The vendors are very good at encouraging each other too. They look out for each other," Jessica proudly explained. "Even people that are in the same category or offering similar products. Everyone supports each other." 

One of Jessica's favourite things about baking is challenging herself, whether it be with learning to make macarons, sourdough bread, or making special requests. When asked about what she likes to make the most, she smiled and replied, "Anything that can be a challenge. Like baking chocolate chip cookies, they're easy, but macarons aren't. The sense of accomplishment you get when you actually get it all done is amazing." She bakes everything herself, usually over two full days of baking, just before market day. On market days she is up by 4:30am, packing her car and making the drive from Port Burwell area to Horton in time to arrive by 6:30am and start her booth setup. From cookies, breads, butter tarts, cake pops, pies, macarons, tea breads and more - everything is made by hand. 

Jessica smiled as she talked about the support and advice she has gotten from fellow vendors; from Cupcake Junction lending her a display case before she got her own, to sourdough advice from La Houlette de vie Bakery - Jessica is endlessly thankful for the encouragement and help she has gotten from Horton vendors, and she loves doing the same for them. Cheffy's Culinary Creations, Quaker Springs Farm, and Marx Mushrooms have previously joined partnerships for meal kits, and Jessica hopes to do more collaborations in the future.

As for her customers, Jessica is consistently amazed by their continuous support. "I've been amazed  by their forgiveness," she said with a smile. "They are working with me and sometimes things go awry, or I don't have exactly what they want, but they still try products and they don't give up on me. I feel like they give a lot, and I work for it too." Cheffy's Culinary Creations thrives off of feedback, and Jessica is always open and willing to listen to customer feedback, support, tips or tricks. "Come ask me for things," said Jessica. "Just come talk to me, that's what I'm here for! I don't know what everyone likes - I'm trying to know but I can't read peoples minds!" Jessica laughed. The most important thing to her is customer satisfaction, and she loves getting requests and custom orders - so don't be shy! She loves baking, but even more than that Jessica loves providing for her communities. Dietary restrictions, different flavours, and more - Jessica is more than willing to give it a try. ​

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The Horton Farmers' Market team is so lucky to have vendors like Jessica who embody care and community spirit, and bring a smile and supportive energy to our market every weekend. Horton is not just a place to shop local; it's a community hub for connection, socialization, and a unique experience every weekend. So next time you are at Horton, keep your eyes open for Cheffy's Culinary Creations, check out what she has to offer, and strike up a little conversation - you will be glad that you did. 

Paige Palmer, Marketing Assistant

Paige is a proud recent graduate of Western University's Media and Communications (MACS) program and King's University College's Thanatology program. Born and raised in Elgin County, Paige loves connecting with local people and businesses to tell their stories and promote their hard work. A previous St. Thomas Parks and Forestry summer student, Paige also loves exploring local parks and trails, and promoting the incredible work of the Parks and Forestry department, while capturing some beautiful pictures along the way. ​