S Food ociety & News SHouthernospitality

UPCOMING EVENTS

FEB. 17: FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY

FEB. 18: CITY OF AUBURN MARDI GRAS PARADE

FEB. 18: COLORS FOR CHILDREN 5K

FEB. 21: MARDI GRAS

Celebrate Mardi Gras with Recipes from Jewel Green Baking Company

hen Pastry Chef Melissa Dorman Baysinger and Executive

Sous Chef Derek Land are not working at their fulltime jobs with the Marriott at Grand National, they are busy with their cottage business, Jewel Green Baking Company. While Baysinger handles the baking, Land manages the business side. The baking company offers a variety of baked goods, including its popular seasonal cookie trays and cookie decorating kits.

Both chefs grew up in Lee County and worked at various local restaurants before joining the staff at Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort and Spa at Grand National which has received numerous awards. Land has been at the resort for four years. He works on menu development as they strive to be No. 1 out of 373 hotels around the globe. They are currently No. 5 and ranked third overall.

Baysinger has worked there for almost three years and is the morning supervisor. She also prepares the desserts. After her shift, one of the other chefs takes over. She assists others who have questions on how to design, flavor or serve a dessert or pastry.

Baysinger grew up in Opelika, where her parents, Deborah and Brad Dorman, still live. With her mother’s sister living in Louisiana, the family has been involved in celebrating and preparing dishes for Mardi Gras.