Today we’d like to introduce you to Colette Knight.
Hi Colette, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born in Los Angeles, CA in the Miracle Mile district and moved to Hancock Park, where I grew up. My father was an Executive at 20th Century Fox & Screen Actor’s Guild, so I was raised in and around Hollywood. My parents loved to entertain and had lovely parties, so I caught the hospitality bug early. My father’s second career was as a McDonald’s Franchisee, which leads our family to Atlanta, GA, when I was fifteen. I went through the management program and was a manager at age 16. I graduated from High School at Clark-Atlanta University in a joint enrollment program and went on to Art Institute of Atlanta, where I obtained a degree in Culinary Arts/Food Processing.
Also attended Georgia State in the Hospitality Administration program. I was recruited from my family to work for Franklin Covey Corp, which lead me to Austin, TX, where I married. Then recruited by Victoria’s Secret/Limited Brands, which took me back to LA. There I developed and managed my ex-husband’s career in TV. He became a multi Emmy nominated producer for some of the number one shows on TV. I managed his career for 20 years. During that time, I became a certified post-secondary Culinary Educator and taught Baking & Pastry and Garde Manger at the Kitchen Academy of Hollywood, which became the accelerated program at Le Cordon Bleu. I was also editor-in-chief of the 2nd Edition Baking & Pastry Curriculum. After being in a head-on car collision, I began teaching health & wellness from my home, where I had a full orchard and grew a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs to heal myself and others.
In January of 2020, my marriage union ended and I embarked on my solo journey once again and moved back to Atlanta just before the pandemic hit. I wanted to be back in business for myself after having worked on a major development project with my ex that was halted in 2019. I founded Gud Gud Pudin, LLC in late 2020. We launched 2021 after many challenges to obtain licensing, a commercial kitchen, etc. I launched against all odds. Everything was still shut down so I began selling through my website online. When outdoor markets reopened for Spring, I began doing those, and now we are doing larger festivals and starting our wholesale business while continuing to grow the retail business. We do not have a brick and mortar yet, we are doing pick-ups only from our kitchens in Decatur, and downtown Atlanta will be the hub for pick-up orders beginning July 2021. We are growing and excited to spread these “gud” vibes and Gud Gud Pudin to the world. I aim to inspire, encourage and uplift the souls of all. We believe our bread pudding is the best ever made and our Vegan version made with our own plant-based milk is just as delicious. We are expanding our line soon to include savory puddings perfect for breakfast, brunch or lunch.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not smooth at all… the road has been rough. During those years, I was managing my ex-husband’s career. I was also a caregiver to multiple family members. The journey lead me to care for both parents who had cancer at different times, a grandmother with cancer, an aunt with cancer, I also cared for a godfather with dementia, and I cared for each of them until they passed away. I was also a caregiver to my nephews after the sudden passing of their father. I had two miscarriages, battled with depression and was agoraphobic for a time after back-to-back traumas of all of these losses. I ultimately decided to uncouple from my ex-husband so I can now add divorce to my resume. I have had just about every type of loss, but I am resilient.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a creative and an artist. I paint, sculpt, write, decorate, garden, cook, model, etc. However, growing food and cooking is my primary passion. I love feeding people and bringing joy to them through food. I love the alchemical process of cooking, taking raw materials and combining them to create a cohesive dish. I love growing fresh herbs and using them for culinary and medicinal purposes. I have been a researcher for many years of how food affects the body and studied nutrition, wellness, and herbalism.
I believe in the 80/20 rule. Eat good nutrition 80% of the time and 20% is to enjoy other foods. I still believe those other foods should be of high quality and as clean as possible. I am known for health & wellness, living a balanced lifestyle and for my famous bread pudding. It is my most requested dessert. I would bake this dish every holiday. I entered it in several baking contests where I won years ago and always planned to make it a business at some point. Everyone says they can taste the love poured into it. I love connecting with people and sparking joy which is what I am most proud of. I have loved well. I am very intentional and will only put forth my very best, high-quality foods.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was extremely wise, highly sensitive, very empathic & empathetic. I have always loved nature, plants, animals, people. I love to see people happy, well, and thriving. I have always loved to watch people evolve.
Pricing:
- $10 for a 2 pack of cupcakes
- $30 for a 6 pack gift box of cupcakes
- $35 for an 8″x8″ pan
- $55 for a full pan
- $110 XL pan
Contact Info:
- Email: chefcolette@gudgudpudin.com
- Website: www.gudgudpudin.com
- Instagram: @gudgudpudin
- Facebook: @gudgudpudin
