The sweet aroma of freshly baked goods fills the kitchen as they are pulled out of the oven. As she places them on a plate, she is proud of herself for finally perfecting the recipe she struggles to achieve for weeks. 

She wipes the sweat off her brow, looking at her pastries, ready to be put on social media and sold the next day. She works diligently and quickly to fulfill custom orders – cheesecake, cake pops and scones are several of her favorite sweets to bake. 

At 17, senior Brandi Sanchez has turned her kitchen into a vibrant canvas, where flour and sugar blend into flavorful masterpieces. When her pastries are finally sold, she starts thinking of what other sweet treat she should bake next. 

Sanchez struggled to find something strictly unique to her. She has been around the kitchen ever since she was 9 years old, watching and helping her mom as she prepared lunch for Sanchez and her sister for school. That’s where she learned her love for cooking and baking.

“I wanted to help my mom to the best of my abilities,” Sanchez said. “When I started to see cooking videos, it made me wonder if I could do that some day.” 

She noticed others posting their pastries and treats on Instagram to try to get publicity, so she did exactly that. Sanchez created an account: xSweetTreatsx. She posts on an almost daily basis, and her posts slowly gained popularity and attracted attention. Even though it’s not many, she continues to do it, not for followers and likes, but because she is proud of what she does and wants to share it with others.

“When I entered high school, I was nervous at first, but I gained so many customers that really liked my desserts,” Sanchez said. 

Sanchez went on to join a culinary class at TECC WEST so she could learn new techniques and skills to improve her cooking and baking skills. Sanchez’s instructor, Kenny Shier, was intimidating to her – seeming strict and persistent, causing her to be nervous and wanting things to be perfect. Sanchez completed what’s called a ‘Manager’s Test’ on Oct. 19 to earn her stole and complete the class.

Fifteen chapters of review in total to be memorized for the test. 

“In my head I was going crazy because there is no way I could remember all of that, but I work every day to learn a new chapter and review a lot,” Sanchez said.

Brandi was thinking of going to Dallas College for culinary, but recently found out through her teacher at the career center that they wouldn’t teach her anything she doesn’t already know. 

A few of her biggest supporters are her family and her friend, Adolfo, who buys from her business from time to time. Her mother, Laura Cruz, has been Sanchez’s main supporter and has made it her priority to support her. Cruz told Sanchez to pick a career she wanted to do, something she was passionate about.

“My daughter is an amazing baker, and she has made me so proud of her every day,” Cruz said. “She is not afraid to try a new recipe.”

Her cousin Ciclali has always been a big supporter of her business since day one. Brandi made chocolate chip cookies once and asked her cousin if they turned out OK. Ciclali said they were so good, she and her brother were fighting for the last cookie — she even helped Brandi create her Instagram account.

“I am very proud of my cousin,” Ciclali said. “Her baking is amazing, and I am very positive she will make it far in life and with her career.”