Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Gibbons.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Well I always had a passion for cooking and baking as a kid. I watched channel 2 every weekend, Julia Childs show, recipes out the newspaper..if it had to do with food lol I was on it!
By the time I finished high school I had already gotten excepted to Johnson and Wales University (north Miami), I was so excited! But life had different plans , I didn’t give up though! I signed up for the culinary and commercial cooking course at Miami Lakes Tech! And I must say that is the best “hiccup ” life could have gave me! Not only did it help me become a better chef, it intensified my love for baking! After I graduated, I was able to once again get excepted to Johnson and Wales University!
Now here’s where I shifted from savory to sweet! I got a internship at Turnberry Isle resort . It was summer time so the banquet was pretty slow so I got placed in the restaurant. I did the pantry section, the do cold appetizers and dessert. So from time to time I would go help the pastry stop or go get some extra knowledge. We’ll I guess my work ethic was impressive, because the offered me a part position! So my last semester of college i worked the evening shift. It was great I learned so much, the ends and out, plating, setting up, prep ,all that! Lol my mom was like you’re going to be a pastry chef lol the degree is gonna be for show(I was a Culinary major)..I was like no no lol. Was i wrong! A week before I graduated from the University, they offered me a full time job working in the mornings and I couldn’t be more happy!
As time went on I worked, learned and got better. To the point I was the one training the interns that came in! During that time cakes wasn’t a huge thing so when we got them the head chef and the Sous Chef did them, but I wanted to learn. I was like I can do that! My Sous Chef made me a dummy cake out of cardboard and had me practicing every day. And I got better and a promotion! On my off days i starting getting people asking for cupcakes and small cakes. But it wasn’t until my uncle asked me could I make him a wedding Cake, I was like huh?? Lol im not that good..boy was i wrong! My mom encouraged me so I said yes…when I tell you I had no clue what was doing but I prayed and went for it! It came out beautiful! From there I was like I can do this on the side. And so I did for a couple years, parties, baby showers, birthdays. But I had no name!! First I was Ghost cakes, then Sammi’s treats but they just didn’t feel right! Til on day someone told me I looked like a lil misfit in my chef coat! I was like I am lol, blue hair, tattoos and forever wanting my cupcakes to stand out! Misfitcupcakes was born! I got a bank account and my name on sunbiz in 2011 and in October of 2014 I applied for my LLC. By December 2014 I was a certified business! Talk about excited I was still working at Turnberry and working on my business when I got off. We’ll life it me with another curve ball and I left Turnberry after 14 years to help my mom with my sick dad. My son was little, my dad was getting worse by the day but I needed to work, so I decided lol I could just bake full time from the house!
It was slow at first but it picked up. I continued to learn and try new things. I developed my own way if making American buttercream, I took classes and I never lost sight of being myself! I did all kinds of things for many different ppl over the years! In 2018 I got the chance to not only be a part of but host a YouTube show and interview other enqpernuers!
In October of 2021 I got a email tell me i should apply for something coming to the Hardrock stadium. So I did and I got a invite to hear about an opportunity to work with Formula One! Now I have no idea lol what this is but I go! They have us feel out a form and tell us we’ll have another meeting soon..crickets. Fast forward to February 2022 , I get a package from the stadium, im thinking the sending a shirt or something for coming out! Nope I was selected to be one of the vendors for Miami’s first Formula One race in May!! I cried for like hour I was in total shock! That was such a wonderful experience! I was lil old me, doing something so grand! 2023 I decided to get my LLC, it came with so challenges but Bleu’s Misfitcupcakes is my Trademark ™️
Right now im still at it! Growing my brand, still learning, still rocking my blue hair and being a Misfit! If someone told me 20 years ago id be a Cake artist, creating delicious Sweets for the people of South Florida, I wouldn’t have believed it! I guess ma was right after all!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh its been rough, in my beginning stages I was helping take care of my dad and he passed. Covid..man that was difficult time but I made it thur! I myself got diagnosed with a heart condition last year…I thought id never bake again!! But im here still fighting and baking, better than ever!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Im a Dessert artist. I specialize in custom Treats, cakes cupcakes, cookies, etc. I love Desserts but I have a passion for cookies!
What sets me a apart?? The love and detail i put in each order! No matter how big or small the order im going to make it the best, prettiest delicious bite ever! I want people to look and eat my work and be happy!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck..mmm I think my culinary background has helped me alot. I look a prep work and developing flavors in a different way.
Pricing:
- Custom cakes starting at $175
- Fresh Baked Cookies starting at $36 a dozen
- Cupcakes starting at $39 a dozen
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.Misfitcupcakes.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misfitcupcakes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Gr6DwJrTz/
Image Credits
Misfitcupcakes LLC
