Meet Denise Cameron

Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Cameron.

Hi Denise, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It started because of my love of baking and I have always baked for my two kids. We moved to Paso Robles about ten years ago when my daughter was in high school. She volunteered me to help with the high school band’s fundraising. I had always been involved with her music, sports and school activities. The rules here were different and when it came to bake sales I was not allowed to bake, baked goods could only come from the store or “permitted kitchens” This was a foreign concept to me. I researched it and found out that I could have a permitted kitchen through the county which would then meet all of the requirements for the school. I navigated the process and City Mouse Country Kitchcen was born.

I was required to label anything I made for bake sales or fundraising activities, but that was ok. For the rest of my daughter’s high school years, I was able to provide baked goods, not only for fundraisers but as snacks for the kids for events. Simultaneously, I had started a garden. I had found I had so much more space than I had in the city and grew anything I could. One of the first years I was here I ended up with pounds and pounds of jalapenos. I don’t even like them. I started researching what I could possibly make with them. My first try at jelly was a huge success! I make jalapeno jelly and it was a hit. To this day it is one of my best sellers. We were members as a local winery and when they tried it, they asked if they could sell it because I had a permitted kitchen. I was able to label it and from there it became fun to create new flavors and try new recipes.

COVID put a damper on how many locations I sell at, but I still currently have jams and jellies in three tasting rooms. I am hoping to add to that this year. I now have a trailer that I set up and sell out of. I love taking it to events. I also make other food and though COVID kept me at home for awhile, it also required me to make food to pair with wine and/or other drinks so that businesses could be open. I enjoy owning my own business as it allows me to be flexible in my schedule and grow at my own pace.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think the biggest struggle was COVID. I had just purchased my trailer in March of 2020. Needless to say, it sat in my driveway for quite some time before I was able to take it out. There were times when buying supplies was hard due to chain supply and then buying supplies and having an event canceled due to COVID was a bit frustrating, but it was always something that I had to be prepared for.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in baking. I like doing things that others don’t do. I am proud of the fact that I do this on my own, my husband supports what I do and has been super supportive of me not working full-time anymore, but all the baking, shopping, planning is up to me and I enjoy being the creative one.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I think that networking is important. I have two friends who started businesses since I have started mine and I love connecting them with people I know. I also appreciate that I have someone who connects me with people she thinks can help me or who will hire me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citymousecountrykitchen/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057595773663