Meet Bailey Cooper | Farmer & Baker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bailey Cooper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bailey, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Treats & Chill has evolved and taken on a life of its own over the years. In the beginning I was inspired to bake dairy free desserts so that my mom could enjoy the holidays without getting sick. When neighbors heard I had taken an interest in allergy friendly baking they asked me about gluten free and vegan options as well. Interest had grown a bit before the pandemic hit, where I suddenly was unemployed and stuck inside my apartment with no way to pay rent. I took a risk, selling fresh baked cookies from my home to pay the bills in a time when no one had any real idea what the future held. Taking this leap, seemingly small at the time, lead to building a farm-to-table business across the country from my roots. I’m glad it’s evolved and become what it is today, and I’m excited to see what it becomes in the future.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Being a creative person is always a more difficult road to take. I’ve been painting since I was young, taught myself different techniques in baking and tried out several other forms of art. While my family was always supportive of my art I actually was planning to set it all aside and pursue a “real job” in psychiatry when I was younger. Studying psychology and working as an art therapist I believed would give me the best of both worlds, yet the more burnt out and stressed I was, the more I ended up baking desserts in my apartment. One Christmas I accidentally baked over a hundred cookies and decorated them all just from stress. It took my family sitting me down and telling me it’s okay to pursue my dreams that made me believe it was even an option.

The biggest challenge for me to overcome was redefining what success meant to me. I didn’t need a big fancy job, I never wanted to live in a big fancy city. Being a millionaire was never something I wanted. As long as my bills were paid, food was on the table, and I had family and friends around me than I had a successful life. Freedom was the most important thing to me. Now I garden and bake every day, I’m pursuing another creative avenue in writing, and I have the support of my family and friends. None of this was easy to do, but my life is more fulfilling now than it ever was before.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For food I’ve loved South Coast Pizza, Anaba and Nama, Aretha Frankenstein’s, Schulz Brau Brewing, 71 South, and Chivo’s. Those are great spots to give visiting friends a snapshot of the city. Although I have a whole list of restaurants I’m looking forward trying still.

I’m a major fan of coffee so coffee shops will be a major thing I bring friends to. My favorite is Capybara, they make the best Dirty Chai Latte’s in the city so far. Mahalo Roasters downtown, Treetop Coffee, and Old City Java in Old City are great options too. For tea I love The Spice & Tea Exchange downtown. They have a wall of teas you can choose from and a tea bar in the back where they’ll brew up a cup for you all year round. My mom loves going there on colder days.

I’m not a big drinker, but when I do go out I’ve really liked Pour in Old City, the Five Thirty Lounge, and Xul. Schulz Brau is always a great option too for their laid back atmosphere and open courtyard.

For fun things to do Market Square tends to always have something going on. I love going to concerts no matter how small all over the city. There’s live music just about everywhere you go on the weekends. I’ve slowly been getting into thrifting as well so there’s a few spots in West Knox I’ve enjoyed exploring. Knoxville is also a great place for festivals, farmers markets, and seasonal events, so I’d definitely incorporate those into an itinerary.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without my family. Treats & Chill probably never would have been created without their faith in my dreams. My parents are my biggest supporters. They pushed me when I believed there was nothing that could come out of a home bakery. When I came to them and told them I wanted to leave the west coast and pursue farming in Tennessee, they not only believed I could do it, but joined me on the journey. Without their help, encouragement, and tough love, I never would’ve had the guts it took to move and completely rebuild my life into the dream I wanted. Now that my parents are retiring, they are even more excited to see just what I can do on what we call my “Classroom Farm”. Without them, this never would have happened.

Website: https://www.treatsandchill.online/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treats.and.chill/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/treatsandchill2020

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMbXOE046-qHcvzpXPFcLWQ