'Baking a Difference:' Friendship Circle of WI manager receives award for work involving adults with disabilities
FOX POINT, Wis. (CBS 58) — What's the secret to a perfect sugar cookie?
According to Tara Forosisky-Benito, the senior manager for the Friendship Circle of Wisconsin's Cafe and Bakery, it's crispy edges, a soft center, and a whole lotta love.
On Wednesday morning, Forosisky-Benito was hard at work decorating cookies for the Milwaukee Brewers ahead of the upcoming World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
“We have some that say, 'Brew Crew' and some that say, 'no time like October,'” Forosisky-Benito told CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White.
She's worked at the nonprofit organization for the last few years, helping adults with disabilities cook up their skills both in and out of the kitchen.
“So proud, yeah, like a proud mom of all of them," Forosisky-Benito said, as she spread smooth frosting atop the baked goods.
But just a few minutes after that, she received a surprise of her own, surrounded by coworkers and teammates who directed that same pride back to her.
"We’re here to present you with a Rising Star award for your excellence in the baking community and your continued success," said Joey Carioti, the president of the Wisconsin Bakers Association.
This is the fifth year that the organization has given out that award.
In order to win, you must be nominated and then past victors decide who takes the cake.
Officials said they want to recognize who is baking a difference in their community.
“It’s so easy nowadays to pull stuff out of the box and when you have a baker actually taking pride in their work and showing the dedication they have to the craft, I think it’s really special," Carioti said.
Forosisky-Benito said she wants fellow bakers to continue serving up delicious goods and expanding their profession.
“Definitely feel like I’m making a name for myself in the food service industry in Milwaukee, and I feel like this award is just solidifying that for me, so it feels good that the hard work you do, you really feel it paying off," Forosisky-Benito said. "Just believe in yourself because if you don’t believe in yourself, people aren’t gonna believe in you."