Leading in Central MA: Sweet’s Alina Eisenhauer

Email to a friend Permalink

Monday, December 02, 2013

Susan Wagner, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Growing up in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Executive Pastry Chef and the Owner of Sweet on Shrewsbury Street, Alina was inspired to cook by her mother, a dedicated farm-to-table cook who took pride in baking from scratch for her family. "She never bought anything commercially prepared, everything always had a healthy push." Along with building an appreciation for local ingredients and cooking with love, her mother’s approach to food gave her a hunger for something else. "I was always looking for something with sugar!" Finding an ally in her Dad, who also had a sweet tooth, Alina started experimenting with sweets and desserts. Her search for sugar has led her to be successful dessert bar owner and entrepreneur, Food Network cooking show Chopped and Cupcake Wars competitor and Sweet Genius winner.

A conversation with Alina Eisenhauer

SW: Can you describe your career?

After a 10 year career in the fitness industry I realized that where I really wanted to be, where my passion was, is in the kitchen. While home pregnant with my son, Gianni, I read every Pastry school text book I could get my hands on, baked a lot, experimented a lot and when my son was 6 months old I opened my first bakery – The Sturbridge Baking Company- the rest, as they say, is history.

SW: What is the best thing about your job? Your life?

Connecting with people through my food – the great thing about what I do is that most times when people come to Sweet or order from us they are celebrating…through food we get to help them create great memories or recall fond memories from their past.

SW: Can you describe a day in your life?

Currently it is pretty crazy with our move to the new location, expanded staff and expanded menus. Most days I get up early to get my son ready for my husband to take him to school, I usually get to Sweet around 9am and spend the first part of my day doing paperwork, ordering, answering emails, responding to interview or recipe requests from magazines, blogs etc…by early afternoon I am working on the prep lists, menus etc for that evenings service as well as any upcoming events or large special orders and coordinating with my staff. Many days I will leave mid- afternoon to get my son from school and then bring him back to Sweet with me where he will do his homework until my husband picks him up. Currently I am in the kitchen every night we are open at least until 11pm but on weekends it is usually 1 or 2am…like most executive chefs I work much longer hours than most people imagine.

SW: What is your dream job?

I have it! The only thing I would add is a TV show and that is in the works. I love making TV almost as much as I love cooking for people

SW: What is your favorite social networking site? Why?

Twitter – it is quick and to the point – you are able to interact, get responses, jump in on conversations and connect with people you otherwise never would. It is a great tool for branding and it is fun!

SW: What do you do away from your career?

What little time I have away from my career I spend with my family & friends – my newest hobby is surfing and stand up paddle boarding but I don’t get much chance to do it.

SW: Are you involved in the community? If so, how?

I give back as much as possible – mostly through charities that help children, The March of Dimes, Share Our Strength and Icing Smiles

SW: Who or what is the biggest influence in your life?

My parents – my mother taught me what good food is, the connection between food and celebration, the connection between food and cultures and to respect ingredients. My parents instilled in me the work ethic I have, not to take things for granted and not to take myself too seriously.

SW: What is a fun fact few people know about you?

I was not allowed to watch TV as a child

SW: Your favorite quote?

“If you’re going to be thinking anything, you might as well think big” ~ Donald Trump

SW: What do you think creates success?

Determination and drive – knowing where you want to be and doing what it takes to get there…if you get knocked down, you get back up! Networking, you never know when someone you meet will turn up again and be just the connection you need, being prepared and professional so that when opportunities / connections present themselves you recognize them and are ready to make the most of them.

SW: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

With a few more Sweet locations and a TV show!

 

 

GoLocalWorcester presents Central MA Up + Comers, a weekly profile of a member of the next generation as they are making their mark on the Central Ma workforce and community. Join us every Thursday for a look at the careers and lifestyles of the local digital generation. If you have suggestions for a profile, please email [email protected].

Susan Wagner is the president of Susan Wagner PR . In this challenging economy, she has begun a new division to offer affordable start-up packages to new and emerging small businesses and non-profit organizations that include professional writing services, websites, collateral, marketing, social media, grassroots outreach and PR campaigns.

---

Related Slideshow: 6 Delicious New England Bakeries

Related Articles

• Leading Central MA: American Red Cross Regional CEO Lisa Piehler
• Leading in Central MA: Paul Overton of The Center at Eagle Hill
• Leading in Central MA:  Mary Beth Benison, Living Her Dream
• Leading Central MA: Evolve Tutoring Founder Alan Houghtaling
• Leading Central MA: Worcester Public Schools’ Robert Jennings
• Leading Central MA: Millbury Police Chief Kenny Howell
• Leading In Central MA: Ctr. for Nonviolent Solutions’ Christa Drew
• Leading Central MA: Restaurateurs Enton Mehillaj and Oriola Koci
• Leading In Central MA: Hospitality Entrepreneur Michael Covino
• Leading in Central MA: Bay State Savings’ Diane Giampa
• Leading in Central MA: Girls, Inc. CEO Victoria Waterman
• Leading in Central Massachusetts: Pamela Boisvert – CEO MassEdCO
• Leading in Central MA: Audio Journal’s Vince Lombardi
• Leading in Central Ma: Worcester Center for Crafts’ Honee A. Hess
• Leading in Central MA: Artist + Executive Helen Sheldon Beaumont
• Leading Central MA: Teaching Artist + Painter Jen Swan
• Leading in Central MA: Betsy Fuller, Dean of Becker College

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

Email to a friend Permalink