Today we’d like to introduce you to Paulette Goto.
Hi Paulette , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in California but was raised in Utah, no, I’m not a mormon. My paranoid skitz/hoarder single teenage mom raised us (very much against our will) in the Jehovah Witness religion where no holidays including your own birthday are allowed to be celebrated. This suppression and my insatiable sweet tooth lead me to my love/obsession of becoming a pastry chef. My mom threw me out of the house when I was 16 years old and I became an emancipated minor & was living with my best friend and his parents (who took me in as one of their own) and my best friends mom made everyone’s birthday cakes & I was obsessed. She taught me how to pipe flowers & I’ve never put down my pastry bags again. I went on to move to NYC to attend The French Culinary Institute and got my degree in pastry arts & was hired to work in the pastry kitchen at Le Cirque before I had even graduated where I was fortunate to learn from the world famous Jacques Torres. From there I interned with renowned cake artist Colette Peters. I became (& still am) obsessed with creating art you can eat. Cooking Channel reached out to me to be on air talent for their new show “Unique Sweets” I was on that show for 6 seasons & have been on countless Food Network shows as a judge as well, all while making custom cakes along the way. From the suppression I was raised in, I relish in pushing the envelope and being provocative with my cakes (BUT NEVER MEAN, I have no time for any type of hate) I love the juxtaposition of a delicious , beautiful cake that has a tongue in cheek message written on it. It means the world to me that my work is so appreciated & relatable.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oof, my god not smooth at all. Not enough room in here to list everything. My upbringing was in a very verbally and physically abusive home but I wouldn’t change a thing because it’s made me who I am today & life is wonderful! I had to work 3 jobs while I was in high school to support myself, nothing has ever been handed to me but I am a painful optimist and the glass is always half full. Becoming an emancipated minor when I was 16 was super stressful but I’ve always KNOWN this life has lots to offer and I am destined for greatness
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am known for my cakes! I am most proud that while I am obsessed with constantly learning all I can, I’ve developed my own style of cakes & it means the world to me that my work resonates with so many people
What’s next?
My list of goals is a never ending running list. I need to learn to celebrate my wins… I’m always looking to my next goal. I am working on a line of merch (cake supplies, calendars, aprons, totes etc) that will all have my irreverent style
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.pollycooksandeats.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pollycooks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HYUpGo2g9/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@pollycooks
