Staying Curious: Taylor Craft’s Unconventional Journey Into Pastry
The culinary industry is often seen as a straight line—graduate from school, work your way up the kitchen ladder, open a bakery or restaurant, and build from there. But for Taylor Craft, that traditional path never quite fit. And her story is proof that the best journeys in baking aren’t always linear—they’re layered, unexpected, and deeply rooted in self-discovery.
In a recent episode of The Perfect Rise, we sat down with Taylor to explore how she transitioned from front-of-house restaurant work to the precision and creativity of the pastry world. Her path has spanned bakeries, catering, food media, and now—an emerging interest in teaching the next generation of bakers. What sets her apart isn’t just her range of experience, but the lens through which she sees the industry: one driven by curiosity, experimentation, and purpose.
A Pivot Sparked by the Pandemic
Before Taylor ever enrolled in culinary school, she was an actor and a long-time front-of-house professional. Like so many in the industry, 2020 forced a moment of reckoning. “I realized I wasn’t super happy,” she shared. “And so kind of on a whim, I applied to culinary school.”
That leap wasn’t about prestige—it was about building a foundation. For Taylor, the structure of school offered something she couldn’t easily find on her own: access to ingredients, equipment, mentorship, and the ability to test ideas without fear of failure. Her time at Kendall College became a season of exploration—and one that led her to a specific passion: flavor theory and the thoughtful use of ingredients.
The Discipline of Baking, the Freedom of Flavor
Taylor’s view on baking is refreshing. She doesn’t romanticize the pressure or fall into the trap of perfectionism. Instead, she invites us to think differently. “If you know how to read and measure,” she says, “baking is not that hard. It’s just about understanding.”
But understanding goes beyond technique. Taylor is most energized by the “why” behind recipes—the science, the sensory experience, and how flavors interact. From experimenting with grapefruit and fennel to exploring how to reduce food waste through recipe development, she’s less concerned with how things look and far more invested in how they work and how they taste.
It’s a perspective shaped by a simple but powerful belief: being curious is more important than being perfect.
Beyond the Bakery
What’s most striking about Taylor’s story isn’t just her pivot or her growing list of experiences—it’s her refusal to be boxed in by traditional definitions of success in the pastry world.
“I don’t ever want to fully understand the industry,” she admitted. “Because then there’s nothing left to learn.”
She’s worked in wholesale bakeries and small storefronts, dabbled in food media, and found joy in early mornings at a bread-focused production space. Each experience has helped her clarify not just what she loves, but what she doesn’t. And that clarity is invaluable.
Rather than chase titles or accolades, Taylor is carving out a career that reflects her values—where education, sustainability, and creativity lead the way.
A Call to Stay Curious
When asked what advice she’d share with fellow bakers, Taylor offered this simple encouragement:
“Stay curious. If you lose the wonder, the work gets monotonous. But if you keep exploring, there’s always something new to learn—some new flavor, ingredient, or method to test. That’s how you stay engaged.”
In a time when burnout runs high and many bakers feel pressure to do more, faster, Taylor’s grounded, thoughtful approach feels like a breath of fresh air. Her story is a reminder that the baking industry needs all kinds of professionals—not just those who rise through traditional ranks, but those who ask questions, try new things, and bring intention to the craft.
We’re honored to have Taylor as part of the RBA community. Her journey reflects what we know to be true: there’s room in this industry for every kind of baker—and when we stay curious, we all rise.
🎧 Want to hear more of Taylor’s story?
Listen to her full conversation on The Perfect Rise wherever you get your podcasts.
📣 Are you an RBA member with a story worth sharing?
Reach out to us—we’d love to feature your journey. kimberly@retailbakersofamerica.org