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Rhonda Flagg, owner of Dessert Connection, stands with a dozen raspbery lemon cupcakes she made for teacher appreciation week at Jefferson Village School. (D. Lobkowicz photo) |
By Dominik Lobkowicz
With her new business Dessert Connection open and taking orders, Jefferson resident Rhonda Flagg is hoping to share her passion for baking with the world.
As the name implies, Dessert Connection has a focus on the sweet: pastries, cookies, pies, cakes, and cupcakes. “I just really enjoy doing the desserts,” Flagg said.
Flagg figures apple pie to be her specialty.
“That’s my favorite, that’s the one I get asked to make the most,” Flagg said. Rhubarb pie would probably come in second, she said.
The new business is Flagg’s first foray into the world of professional baking, but she still comes with years of baking experience.
“I’ve been cooking for family and friends over the years, but decided to make it official,” Flagg said.
She started the business this year after she got her commercial kitchen certification in March.
Prior to starting Dessert Connection, Flagg worked for over 25 years as the office manager for her husband’s excavation and forestry products business. Flagg still works there, but in a diminished capacity, she said.
Dessert Connection’s tagline is “fresh, local, organic,” and though Flagg admits not everything in her confections meet all three criteria, she tries to use as much of those ingredients as are readily available.
Being mindful of what she puts in her body became important to Flagg in 2009 after she learned she had cancer.
“I’d just like to keep it as clean and wholesome as possible,” she said of her ingredients. “Even though it’s a dessert company, you can still make it healthier choosing nice, organic, natural products.”
Those who wish to pick up one of Flagg’s treats can do so at Ollie’s Place on Washington Road in Jefferson, where they sell Flagg’s pies and gourmet cakes by the slice, as well as cupcakes.
“Oh my god, it’s really good,” Vickey Jones, co-owner of Ollie’s, said of Flagg’s products. “She’s a really good cook.”
Jones said she’s had Flagg’s apple pie, Boston crème cupcakes, and chocolate layer cake.
As her business develops, Flagg said she wouldn’t mind selling her products to businesses or directly to the consumer. “I enjoy doing both,” she said.
For now, the business is a one-woman show, but Flagg is hoping demand for her goodies will allow her to bring on people as employees.
Flagg’s vision for the future is to grow the business into a storefront, and provide a place for people to get their favorite dessert, have coffee, and socialize.
For more information or to place an order, call 485-4479 or email rhondaflagg@gmail.com. The company’s website is at www.dessertconnectionofmaine.com.
