Local woman’s new business offers Hatters basic culinary classes

By MO CRANKER on July 3, 2020.

NEWS PHOTO MO CRANKER Candice Funk and her four-year-old daughter Emma put icing on homemade pop-tarts at Funk's business, Baking with Candice.

mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@mocranker

Candice Funk opened her dream business earlier this year, and is determined to share her passion for baking with Hatters.

Baking with Candice, which teaches basic culinary skills, has been offering a wide variety of classes to people of all ages ever since opening its doors.

“I started out by selling baked goods at the farmers market every week,” she said. “After I had my third child, life got busy. But that time allowed me to realize I enjoyed baking with my kids, not just baking for them.

“I then started teaching cooking classes at Monsignor McCoy High School and I just had so much fun cooking with the kids.

“Eventually I wanted to find something more flexible that I could do all year, and this is what I came up with.”

Funk hosts a number of classes for young Hatters as well as adults. Different classes teach different skills, and some are themed.

Funk planned on opening her business at the beginning of the year, but had to cancel because of COVID-19.

“That was really tough,” she said. “I’ve spaced out all of the tables and will have two rooms with two teachers going during classes.

“We’re doing everything we can to make sure it’s safe.”

Funk’s summer classes for kids are sold out, but she is working to add more classes for children and adults.

“Things like couples’ nights, pasta-making classes – I just need to keep trying new classes,” she said. “There has been a lot of interest so I’m trying to hold as many fun classes as possible.”

The business is nut-free and the dishes that are taught include cookies, bread, pop-tarts, pizza, to name a few.

“A goal of mine is to show people how easy it is to make your own food,” she said. “It can be so simple, fun and affordable to cook at home. I want to help show people that.”

Funk’s business is located on Fourth Avenue SE and she announces her classes on Facebook. She also has bookings on her website, http://www.bakingwithcandice.com.