In this delightful episode of Promise Startups, Elias Benjelloun welcomes a new entrepreneurial voice to the platform, Chastdy King, the founder of Scratch Bakery. Chastdy brings her passion for handmade cheesecakes to the Promise Startups community, revealing a journey from one career to the kitchen, where she found purpose and fulfillment. With a commitment to quality, each of Chastdy’s cheesecakes is crafted "from scratch with love," a motto she holds dear. Elias and Chastdy explore her inspiration, share a taste of her creations, and discuss the importance of focusing on a single product that resonates deeply with her audience.

An Introduction to Scratch Bakery

Elias begins by expressing his excitement for the interview, introducing Chastdy as one of the newest members of the Promise Startups family. Chastdy warmly greets listeners, and Elias jumps right into her story, asking about what she’s been baking. Chastdy shares her focus on creating handmade cheesecakes, emphasizing that her mission is to make each one with great care and attention. Her slogan, “Made from scratch with love,” beautifully encapsulates her dedication to quality and the joy she hopes to pass on to her customers.

Chastdy passionately describes her process: “I like to put care and attention to each cheesecake made so that the person eating it loves it.” Her words set the tone for the rest of the episode, where Elias and Chastdy discuss her creations, inspirations, and journey toward building Scratch Bakery.

Exploring Scratch Bakery’s Signature Cheesecakes

Chastdy didn’t come empty-handed—she brought along a couple of her most popular cheesecakes to showcase during the interview. First, she introduces her Oreo Cheesecake, describing it as an Oreo-based cheesecake topped with chocolate ganache and Oreo crumbles. Elias can’t hide his excitement, and as Chastdy opens the dessert container, he marvels at its appearance, remarking that it looks “pretty delicious.” True to his word, Elias dives right in and shares his immediate reaction: “Oh my God… it's super delicious. You can tell I'm a fat boy; I just put the whole thing in my mouth!” The Oreo Cheesecake is an instant hit, leaving Elias thoroughly impressed by its richness and balance of flavors.

Chastdy then introduces her classic New York Style Cheesecake, complete with a fresh strawberry topping. As she explains, this cheesecake is the traditional favorite—a smooth, creamy, and timeless choice. Elias savors the sample, turning this part of the episode into an impromptu “foodie review.” His excitement is palpable as he gives his stamp of approval, emphasizing how delicious and well-crafted both cheesecakes are. “It’s super delicious,” he exclaims, reflecting the love and attention Chastdy pours into each cheesecake.

Chastdy’s Journey from Culinary School to Scratch Bakery

Elias digs deeper into Chastdy’s journey and asks what inspired her to start baking. She reveals that baking was not her original career path and even admits that she once disliked it. After experiencing a personal turning point in her life, she realized she wanted to pursue something she truly loved. “Instead of doing what I have to do, let me do what I love,” she shares, speaking to the passion that eventually led her to Scratch Bakery.

Her journey took a decisive turn in culinary school, where she discovered her knack for creating cheesecake. With hands-on experience in various kitchens and under the guidance of Chef Nicole at Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant Cut, Chastdy fell in love with the art of pastry. She recalls, “I love making people happy through my food,” and describes how the reactions from her customers keep her inspired to continue pursuing her passion.

Scratch Bakery was born out of Chastdy’s desire to bring joy to others through her baking. “I wanted to do something different,” she says. “I love people’s reaction to my food, and cheesecakes just seemed to be what everyone loved the most.” Her decision to focus on cheesecakes became clear after seeing how enthusiastically people responded to them, guiding her to pursue cheesecake-making as her specialty.

The Focus on a Single, Perfected Product

In a reflective moment, Elias shares a piece of business advice with Chastdy, referencing a recent Shark Tank episode featuring Raising Cane’s founder. He discusses the value of focusing on one product and mastering it, a philosophy that Chastdy seems to have embraced. “Do one thing, be the best at it in the world, and only that one thing,” Elias reiterates, noting how this approach has worked for entrepreneurs like the Raising Cane’s founder, whose sole focus is fried chicken.

Chastdy reveals that while her kitchen can make other desserts, cheesecake remains her primary focus and strength. She acknowledges the value of honing her expertise in one area rather than spreading herself thin across multiple dessert types. “You can be good at a lot of things, but if you're very good at one thing, then someone is more likely to trust that,” she shares, reinforcing the power of specialization.

Scratch Bakery’s Community Presence and Local Partnerships

Elias and Chastdy discuss the expansion of Scratch Bakery and its presence in the Las Vegas area. Chastdy recently partnered with Caribbean Flavors, a ghost kitchen located downtown, where her cheesecakes have become an instant favorite among their customers. Chastdy expresses gratitude for this opportunity, noting how well her cheesecakes have been received.

Elias sees the potential for Scratch Bakery to grow within the community and invites Chastdy to a Black-owned restaurant community meeting hosted by Devin Moore of Mariposa. This networking event, happening the following Wednesday, presents an opportunity for Chastdy and other hospitality professionals to connect, share experiences, and support each other’s growth. Chastdy eagerly accepts the invitation, saying she’ll definitely be there.

How to Find and Order from Scratch Bakery

For listeners interested in trying Chastdy’s cheesecakes, Elias prompts her to share where people can learn more about Scratch Bakery and place orders. Chastdy directs them to her website, scratchdesserts.com, where they can browse her menu and explore the cheesecakes available. She also highlights her social media channels, where followers can stay updated on new flavors and special announcements.

Website: scratchdesserts.com
Instagram: Scratch Desserts
Facebook: Scratch Desserts

As the holiday season approaches, Chastdy encourages listeners to order a cheesecake for gatherings and family dinners. From Thanksgiving to Christmas and beyond, Scratch Bakery’s cheesecakes are a perfect way to bring joy to the table.

Closing Remarks

In wrapping up the episode, Elias congratulates Chastdy on her success and wishes her the best with Scratch Bakery’s journey. Chastdy’s dedication to quality and passion for creating delectable cheesecakes resonate with Elias and the audience. With each cheesecake crafted "from scratch with love," Scratch Bakery stands as a testament to Chastdy’s commitment to making every bite a memorable one.

Elias ends the episode by inviting listeners to support Scratch Bakery and experience the joy that comes from a truly handmade dessert. “Let’s give it up for Chastdy King from Scratch Bakery,” he concludes, celebrating her contribution to the Promise Startups community and beyond.