Jo Emmons
d COMMUNITY
Getting to Know …
Jo Emmons
Owner, Goodies and Grace Dessert Boutique
BY JILL BECKER
My goal was to become an anesthesiologist,” says Jo Emmons, the owner of Cartersville’ s Goodies and Grace Dessert Boutique. That might sound odd coming from the woman who took home the $ 10,000 grand prize for her edible masterpieces on an episode of the Food Network’ s Christmas Cookie Challenge last December, but she confesses that while she loved medicine and helping people, she ultimately realized she didn’ t want to be in an operating room all day. Forays into medical sales and real estate followed post revelation, but neither provided Emmons the creativity she craved. Then, while at home during the pandemic, she started making cookie kits, and the rest, as they say, is history. Her biology degree from UGA does come in handy, though.“ I love baking because there’ s so much science and technique behind it,” she says. Witnessing Emmon’ s elaborate cookies, cakes, and other creations demonstrates just how much technique is involved, because she’ s truly creating mini works of art.“ I love decorating the most because it allows me to bring food to life,” she says. Here’ s more from this prize-winning baker.
When did Goodies and Grace officially open?
It was on my 29th birthday in November of 2023.
Where did you learn to bake?
My mom taught me to bake when I was a child.
What’ s your favorite thing your mother used to make?
My favorite recipe of hers is her carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. I sell it at the bakery along with her German chocolate cake, fudge, and starlight sugar cookies.
“ I love decorating the most because it allows me to bring food to life.”
What’ s the secret to being a great baker?
Being great at anything is about patience, consistency, and perseverance. All of which is needed for when it gets hard, because it’ s guaranteed to be hard at some point. Oh, and vanilla. Lots of homemade vanilla.
What are some of the best-selling items at the bakery?
My award-winning decorative sugar cookies, Dubai chocolate strawberries, French croissants, and my banana pudding cookies.
What’ s the most challenging thing you make?
Croissants. There’ s a significant amount of technique that goes into the lamination process.
Do you sell anything else besides baked goods?
Yes, I sell Italian ice( which I also have a mobile cart for) and lattes. I also offer cookie- and cupcake-making classes and birthday parties.
How did you end up competing on the Christmas Cookie Challenge?
One of my friends from high school nominated me on a Facebook group, and the next thing I knew, I was getting a text from a Food Network producer, going through interviews, and then competing in L. A.