Congratulations to Crystal Stanley, owner of Crystal Kitchen in
Bloomington, IL for her winning
better-for-you recipe
DOWNERS
GROVE, Ill., July 25,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresh Thyme Market, a
full-service, better-for-you natural grocer with 70 stores in 10
states throughout the Midwest, is proud to announce the winner of
its 10th Birthday Cake Contest in celebration of the company's
anniversary. After inviting local bakers from across Fresh Thyme's
10-state footprint in the Midwest to submit their best
better-for-you cake recipes, eight semi-finalists were invited to
present their cakes at a special judging event at Fresh Thyme's
headquarters in Downers Grove, IL
in May. From there, three finalists were selected based on overall
presentation, usage of Fresh Thyme ingredients, creativity and
taste, and shoppers were encouraged to taste test and vote for
their favorite at a birthday party-style event at all Fresh Thyme
stores. After more than 6,000 votes were received and tallied,
Fresh Thyme Market is delighted to announce Crystal Stanley, owner of Crystal Kitchen in
Bloomington, IL is the official
winner.
"We are thrilled to celebrate our 10th birthday by recognizing
the incredible talent of our local bakers, like Crystal, in such a
meaningful way," said Liz Zolcak,
president at Fresh Thyme Market. "At Fresh Thyme, we're passionate
about inspiring a healthier future for our communities and we were
just blown away by the response and level of creativity and
dedication each and every one of our semifinalists brought to this
competition. It just goes to show that Fresh Thyme's broad
assortment of innovative and curated items can really spark
inspiration in the kitchen, especially as more and more shoppers
want options that are healthier for themselves and their
families."
Crystal's winning "Morning Glory" cake stood out not only for
its presentation but also because it embodies Fresh Thyme's
commitment to high-quality ingredients. It showcases how a
better-for-you recipe can be just as satisfying and delicious as
traditional options, appealing to the food lover in all of us.
Inspired by the beloved muffins from Fresh Thyme's in-house bakery,
Crystal's recipe features wheat flour, freshly grated carrot and
apple, shredded coconut, and specialty ingredients from Fresh
Thyme's private label such as organic honey, powdered sugar,
organic ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract. These elements add
flavor, texture, and moisture, earning her recipe the title of
Fresh Thyme's official 10th birthday cake.
Along with this recognition, Crystal will receive $5,000 and mentorship from a panel of industry
experts to help grow her budding small business, Crystal Kitchen, plus a $5,000 donation made in her honor to the Eastern
Illinois Foodbank. At Fresh Thyme, our commitment to investing in
our communities is at the heart of everything we do. This
dedication is exemplified by our support for Crystal and reinforced
by our vital partnerships with local food banks. These
collaborations are essential to us, enabling us to make a positive
impact in the communities we serve.
"It is such a blessing to have been chosen as the winner of the
Fresh Thyme Birthday Cake Competition, and I'm thrilled to help
Fresh Thyme celebrate their 10th birthday," said Crystal Stanley, owner of Crystal Kitchen. "I
pour my heart into my baking, but I started my business on a
shoestring budget. The cash prize and mentorship will be a great
help as I continue to provide my community with freshly baked
items. The thought of having $5,000
donated to a local food bank warms my heart, too, because their
mission is important to me. I volunteered at a food bank for
several years, and the help they give to the community is
priceless."
Fresh Thyme Market extends a heartfelt thanks to all
semi-finalists for their participation and creativity:
- Amanda Reninger, Sea Salt &
Cinnamon - Muncie, IN
- Anwelli Okpue, Wani Cakes - Detroit,
MI
- Crystal Stanley, Crystal Kitchen – Bloomington, IL (winner)
- Elysia Kramer, Thistle and Knead
Gluten Free Bakery - Fort Wayne,
IN (finalist)
- Lydia Armstrong, Gluten Free
Creations - Carmel, IN
- Marguerite Singson, What Margie
Made - Chicago, IL
- Megan Elder, Moose and Me Baking
Company - Naperville, IL
(finalist)
- Naya Wiley, The Dessert
Apothecary - Portage,
Michigan
To learn more and find a Fresh Thyme Market location near you,
please visit freshthyme.com.
About Fresh Thyme Market
Fresh Thyme Market, a local, community-focused grocer with 70
stores in 10 states throughout the Midwest, was born from a genuine
desire to help people live better and healthier lives. Every day
Fresh Thyme Market works to be a trusted resource in our
communities, bringing people access to real food at real affordable
prices. With a local focus on what the community needs, each store
provides fresh, natural, and organic food at affordable prices. By
offering an immersive, intuitive shopping experience, Fresh Thyme
Market meets people wherever they are on their journey to living a
healthier lifestyle. To learn more, visit freshthyme.com.
About Crystal Kitchen
Crystal Stanley began her baking
journey at the age of nine, learning to bake brownies from her mom.
This early start blossomed into a lifelong passion, further
nurtured by the guidance of older ladies who taught her how to bake
bread and pies. At 13, Crystal attempted her first decorated cake,
which, despite being a disaster, fueled her desire to perfect her
craft. Between the ages of 13 and 18, she sold cinnamon rolls
weekly, honing her skills.
As an adult, Crystal has continued to explore new techniques and
recipes, sharing her creations with friends who encouraged her to
start selling her baked goods. In June
2023, Crystal became a registered cottage baker, launching
Crystal Kitchen. She now sells a
variety of homemade treats, including breads, cinnamon rolls,
cookies, pies, donuts, candy, quick breads, muffins, cupcake
bouquets, and, of course, cakes. Crystal believes in baking from
scratch, creating healthier and more delicious treats, and sees
baking as a way of showing love through the beautiful creations she
makes from simple ingredients.
Media Contact:
Anna McAndrew
freshthyme@spoolmarketing.com
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SOURCE Fresh Thyme Market