ADDICTED TO BLACK SUGAR

Soft. Buttery. Airy. Sweet. Addictive.

THESE ARE WORDS DESCRIBING A NEW KIND OF COOKIE THAT IS MADE IN NORTHEAST LOUISIANA. BLACK SUGAR TEA CAKES ARE A DELICACY THAT DATE BACK TO SLAVERY, AND MONROE’S BAKER KITA WRIGHT CONTINUES THE TRADITION WITH A RECIPE FEATURING A FEW ADDED STEPS, WHICH HE HOLDS AS TOP SECRET INFORMATION. HIS CUSTOMERS TAKE ONE BITE OF THE SOFT, SWEET TREATS, AND THEY ARE BACK ORDERING MORE. WRIGHT’S LOVE FOR COOKING BEGAN AT HOME AND IN HIS HIGH SCHOOL HOME ECONOMICS CLASS.

A YOUNG BAKER

A native of Monroe, Kita began his career in baking at Carroll High School. He took cooking and sewing under Mrs. Billie Creed in the mid-1990s and discovered his passion for cookies.

“I was trying out a tea cake recipe in high school. They were a bit hard but tasty. Back then, I wasn’t selling them, just giving them away to friends,” he said. Although he attributes his formal education in the kitchen to Creed, he also had to learn cooking to earn his cooking merit badge in the Boy Scouts. Ironically, he didn’t like cooking.

“I had to get that cooking merit badge and that was one of the worst ones, because I had to cook. I don’t like cooking. I’ll bake, but I don’t like cooking,” Wright said. He said occasionally he will bake wings or grill a steak, but that’s the limit to his cooking.

WHAT IS A TEA CAKE?

Tea cakes are an ethnic culinary treat that dates back to American slavery. On plantations, the slaveowner’s mistress would host socials in her parlor with edible treats to rival that of English cookies served with tea. However, lacking the same ingredients, the slaves made their cakes with molasses and lard. They were nothing like today’s “cakes” which have evolved over two centuries of tried and true practice.

Poet Maya Angelou referred to “tea cookies” in her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In her book, she speaks of a sophisticated woman in town named Mrs. Flowers. Mrs. Flowers bakes the cakes for her as she invites Maya over for a chat. Angelou (Marguerite) is captivated by the aroma and the “sweet scent of vanilla” as Mrs. Flowers opens the door. She was served tea cookies and lemonade.

Wright said that he, like Angelou, has always had a liking for tea cakes.

“I like them. It was something I was going to eat whether anyone else liked them or not. So, I made what I like to eat,” he said.

He said that his mother, Joslyn Wright, was also a good cook at home, and she made them.

“My mom made tea cakes. I based my recipe on hers. Today when she eats mine, she says that mine are good but don’t taste like her recipe,” Wright said. He jokingly laughed at her satisfactory response to the taste of his cookies. He said that with a sneaky smile on his face that he tells his mother “I know they don’t, because I tweaked your recipe.”

STRUGGLE TO GET THE “WRIGHT” RECIPE

Kita said that the first batch of cookies were not as soft as they are today, and lots of practice and experimentation with the recipe helped it evolve.

“The cookies were coming out hard then soft. Over the years, I played around with the ingredients and methods. I would give the cookies out to friends. I wasn’t selling them, but I would take their input and feedback, then go back and make changes,” he said.

He said that crafting the perfect tea cake took a lot of supplies to refine the sweet and buttery taste customers enjoy today.

“Oh gosh. It was quite a challenge to get the right thickness but still have it soft and airy. I had to figure out what was missing. I’ve wasted lots of flour, sugar and butter, and adjusting the oven temperature over and over again, to get it right. But that comes with any experiment. There’s always going to be waste,” he said.

KITA WEARS LOTS OF HATS

As a youth, Kita had many odd jobs. He could always be found with a set of keys on his side, which gave him a sense of duty. Today as an adult, he continues to juggle a few professions, ranging from videographer, photographer, and graphic designer, in addition to serving as a voluntary officer with the Monroe Marshals Office. Yet, he never envisioned being in the baking business. That idea actually came from a friend a few years ago.

“I just liked making them (tea cakes). It didn’t start out as a business venture. Then someone suggested that I sell them. I really didn’t have time to get involved with selling tea cakes, but I gave it a shot, just to see what would happen,” he explained. It was a hit, and Kita’s Black Sugar Tea Cakes have been a baking success.

“IT WAS QUITE A CHALLENGE TO GET THE RIGHT THICKNESS BUT STILL HAVE IT Soft AND Airy. I HAD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS MISSING.”

SWEET ADDICTION

Kita said that the name “Black Sugar” is not racially motivated or tied to any historical reference to the cookies. He mentioned that he came up with the name after watching the movie, “American Gangster,” starring Denzel Washington. The movie depicts the life of Harlem gangster Frank Lucas and his drug trade of which was highly addictive. Lucas called his product “Blue Magic.”

“I thought, you know what, since my tea cakes are so addictive, then I’ll just call mine ‘Black Sugar.’ Like his product, everyone is going to get hooked on my cookies,” he joked.

A sweet addiction it has been! Wright said that he has had many wild experiences with customers trying to get access to his tasty treats.

“One woman calls me literally begging for them. Some people have wanted to barter services for them, and some even pay in advance for large quantities,” he said. Kita said that his product has been referred to as a lifesaver or even “crack” cookies. One happy customer called and said that her husband was feeling down, but when he had Black Sugar Tea Cakes, it lifted his spirits.

Recently, 4th Judicial District Attorney Steve Tew put in an order for 8,000 tea cakes and gave them out complimentary to area nurses during Nurse’s Appreciation Week.

MORE TO COME

Kita continues to diversify his brand by adding new flavors and meeting demands of his growing customer base. He sells his product online and locally.

“We have six flavors of tea cakes including original, almond, lemon, coconut, maple and banana. I may concoct a new flavor for the holidays, but right now it’s just those six,” he said.

You never know where you might see Kita around town. But one thing is for sure, after a long day’s work, he’ll be back in his baker’s shop concocting another batch of his brand of Black Sugar Tea Cakes, ever keeping his customers satisfied, addicted, and wanting more.

THE ESSENTIALS

IT’S BACK-TO-SCHOOL, WHICH MEANS IT’S TIME TO DITCH THE YOGA PANTS AND SLIDE INTO REAL CLOTHES. WE’VE PULLED FOUR OF OUR FAVORITE LOOKS FROM LOCAL BOUTIQUES THAT WILL MAKE THE TRANSITION SEAMLESS. PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

1. THE DUSTER This look from HerringStone’s features a lightweight, snake skin print duster over a white racerback cami with lace hem. Pair it with long jean cut-offs and these super cute tan jute wedges. Accessorize with a large GG belt, and clear “thru” gold studded bag with black and gold bag insert and scarf.

2. THE TEE We love our local t-shirt company, Mr. P’s Tees and this super cute French octopus design on a comfy orange tee is the perfect look for back-to-school.

3 . T H E B U T T O N DOWN This beautiful button down from Hemline Monroe is as pretty as it is soft. Pair it with these white, mid-rise slim boot cut jeans, JJ Winters belt, tan leather espadrille wedges with a feminine buckle strap and multiple gold bracelets.

2. THE JEAN JACKET This denim square shoulder jacket from Palette House + Plume is the perfect transition piece. Layer it over a classic grey and white stripe racerback midi dress with flattering ruching. Accessorize with a chic black leather backpack, hoop earrings and a long, lariat necklace.

The Platter, Now Open in West Monroe

Local Business Owner Opens New Venture

YOU’VE SEEN THE POST WORTHY SHOTS OF STYLED cheeseboards on Instagram. You’ve saved pins on Pinterest of decadent berry and chocolate spreads, perfect for your next party. Well now those social media shots can be your reality with Northeast Louisiana’s latest venture- The Platter. This local restaurant and catering service is just one of the many brainchild’s of Jodi White. Jodi is the owner of Professional Cleaning Services of NELA, which offers commercial and residential cleaning services. She founded the business in 2017 when she found herself unexpectedly laid off and out of a job. “I was devastated but knew I had to do what I needed to do to take care of my family,” explains Jodi. “I got laid off on a Wednesday and the following Monday, I had my first house cleaning. It just grew and grew from there and I have been blessed to not only be able to provide professional cleaning services, but employee people in our community.”

Not only has Jodi expanded and grown the Professional Cleaning Services business, she continues to open more businesses in our community. “I was always making platters for my family and for fun, I just looked at as another creative outlet,” says Jodi. “I would post pictures of them on Facebook and people started asking me how much they were and where they could buy them. Next thing you know, we opened up a brick and mortar location in January of this year here in West Monroe, with plans of expanding to Ruston and Monroe soon.”

The Platter features a variety of platters that are priced per person. The Perfect Sandwich Platter has a variety of breads, meats, cheeses and condiments. The Movie Night Platter has buttery popcorn, caramel popcorn, grapes, strawberries, pretzels, nuts, gummy bears, fruit snacks and M&M’s. The Charcuterie Platter is a classic with stuffed olives, nuts, salami, prosciutto, ham, cheddar, gouda, provolone, monterey, brie, blue cheese and mozzarella along with a variety of fruits, spreads and crackers. The Bagels and Protein Platter is perfect for an early office meeting while the Donut Platter could be for a morning birthday party or just celebrating the weekend! No matter the occasion, The Platter can customize any platter to meet your needs. To really wow your guests at your next get together, get a Grazing Table, a customized spread that covers an entire table, allowing your guests to sample of a variety of treats while they mingle. The Platter also offers casseroles, pies, gourmet cakes and plate lunches, including an entree, two sides, bread and a tea for just $9.50.

Jodi is also opening Cypress Hall, located in the same shopping center as The Platter. Cypress Hall is an event venue with space for parties, showers, get togethers and more. Be sure to follow all her businesses on Facebook to see what they have to offer. And the way Jodi’s creative juices flow, you just may see even more businesses in the future!

Miss Louisiana 2020

Courtney Hammons Crowned

MISS LOUISIANA TECH 2019 COURTNEY HAMMONS is now Miss Louisiana 2020. A Choudrant native and recent Louisiana Tech graduate in Nutrition and Dietetics, Hammons was crowned at a press conference in Monroe in June, at the Jack Howard Theatre, home of the annual Miss Louisiana Pageant. For safety reasons due to COVID-19, this year’s competition was postponed until 2021. Miss Louisiana 2019 Meagan Crews is continuing her education out of state so Hammons, first runner up to Crews last year, has taken over the crown.

“I’m up for the challenge of 2020. I embrace it,” said Hammons, who is pursuing her master’s in Nutrition at Tech. “I embrace the adversity because that’s where we’re going to grow. I’m excited for this year of growth. I can’t believe this happened to me, but I’m so honored that it did.”

While Hammons said it’s “bittersweet” that she won’t have the opportunity to compete for the Miss America title since the pageant system is on hold, the bright side, she said, is “I have more time to serve my state, which to me is an honor. That’s the one thing we prepare for, is to be Miss Louisiana.”

As Miss Louisiana, Hammons will be a goodwill ambassador and spokesperson for both Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the Louisiana Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health, as well as a representative for the Miss Louisiana Organization Corporate sponsors. Sponsors include the City of Monroe, the Monroe/West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau, the University of Louisiana Monroe, Propane Dealers of Louisiana, Vantage Health Plan, Big Whit 77 Foundation, TownePlace Suites by Marriott of Monroe and JPS Executive Transportation.

Connecting with individuals and groups will be different for Hammons than it’s been for any other Miss Louisiana, but she’ll be “very present on social media, virtually of course, and connecting with people that way,” she said. “Just using the resources we have in 2020. We’ve got to be flexible and creative.”

She will also travel the state promoting her social impact initiative, Feed the Food Bank, encouraging everyone to volunteer and donate to local food banks and pantries. Courtney challenges everyone to be proactive with their health – in mind, body and spirit.