Confections of a Rock Star 2023: “Sweets, Treats & Rock N’ Roll”

DeliveryRank meets Kimmee Masi, the powerhouse behind Confections of a Rockstar! Her journey began at age 4 when a drum set ignited her love for music, and later, she discovered a passion for baking while following in her father's footsteps at Vincent's Cookie Cupboard in Freehold, NJ. Despite a serious car accident in '94, which momentarily paused her drumming, Kimmee stayed close to music, composing original songs. In 2012, blending her love for rock 'n' roll and baking, Kimmee, alongside partner Lisa Lasky, opened Confections of a Rockstar. With dedication to excellence and a rockstar team, their bakery offers epic desserts, using the finest ingredients and a commitment to freshness. From New Jersey, they aim to spread their melody of flavors nationwide!

You have a fascinating background that combines your passion for music and baking. Can you tell us more about how these two passions came together and led to the creation of Confections of a Rockstar?

On one memorable Christmas morning, at the age of 4, a single drum became an unexpected gift. It caused quite a stir between my parents, with my father surprising my mother with the purchase. She wasn't too keen on it, to say the least – a topic of discussion for years to come! Despite the initial chaos, that drum stuck with me as I grew older, leading me to teenage garage bands and attempts to join the school band, cementing my love for music.

My father owned two bakeries, and I loved tagging along in the early hours, especially on snowy mornings or during summer. I was this short 9-year-old, surrounded by my father's taller, cool employees. They seemed to have a blast making people happy, though at that age, I couldn't quite envision what I wanted. However, by 13, music became my sole aspiration. I worked at my father's bakery until he decided it was time to prioritize family over work. That shift led me to contemplate becoming a chef, applying to the New England Culinary Institute. Yet, panic struck, and I opted for community college, diving into Criminal Justice. But the band I was in received an opportunity to tour Europe, prompting me to drop out against my parents' wishes, working in bakeries while pursuing music locally.

Then, in 1994, a life-altering car accident occurred – I broke my neck in two places due to brake failure. Doctors painted a bleak picture, suggesting I might never play drums or do what I loved again. Determined, I underwent extensive therapy, swallowed Advil, and against the odds, I'm still here drumming and baking today.

The name "Confections of a Rockstar" emerged on a tipsy night after a band practice, sparking an idea that eventually led to where I am now.

Your bakery offers a unique Rock n' Roll theme. How does this theme influence your menu and the overall experience for your customers? 

We've named all the items on our menu after music, and here are a few examples:

Our seasonal maple bacon sticky bun is called "Don't go baking my heart/ Don't go breaking my heart."

Our version of New York cheesecake goes by "Welcome to New York" (T Swift).

For the salted fudge brownie, we have "Brownie Eyed Girl" inspired by Van Morrison.

Our French Macaron line rocks the name "Macaroon 5." We usually have some fun with puns during the creation phase, trying to match the product to the name or vice versa.

Ultimately, our focus is on the customer, starting from their social media interactions to when they get their product. Whether it's a bride and groom or a client grabbing a dozen cupcakes, we strive to ensure that every client experiences something equally amazing.

Your motto is "If I won't eat it, then I won't sell it." Could you share more about your commitment to using the finest ingredients and offering options like gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan treats?

It's clear that maintaining the commitment to crafting our baked goods from scratch has turned me into a bit of a dessert snob – in a good way, of course! Running this business means staying true to offering only the best. Truth be told, it would be much easier and more cost-effective to purchase pre-made baked goods, but that's simply not our style. Everything you see in our store is made right here.

I've been trying to find the right way to express how easily people tend to overlook the art of baking. At home, the process might seem straightforward – reaching for that package of Toll House chocolate chip cookie dough from the fridge, popping it on a pan, and 10 minutes later, voila! But in Confections, it's a whole different world.

We have a dedicated team meticulously ordering, loading, weighing, mixing, shaping, wrapping, inventorying, baking, plating, selling, and packaging each individual cookie. There's no quick fix or shortcut – it's a meticulous process. When I explain why our 5-inch cookie might cost a bit more, it's because we insist on using top-notch ingredients and there are over 13 meticulous steps involved in creating just one of those cookies. It's all about that dedication to quality and craftsmanship.

In addition to your delicious desserts, you also have a special treat for dogs called the "Hound Dog." What inspired you to create this doggy cupcake, and how have your customers responded to it?

It's amazing how inspiration strikes! In our early days, we had a frequent visitor accompanied by their furry friend, who kept asking if we could whip up something special for their pup. After diving into some research and consulting with a local vet, we introduced the Hound Dog. It's been a hit among both our human and canine customers! We've even crafted larger versions of these delights for puppy parties. It's been a joy seeing how much pups adore them!

If you would like to find out more about Confections of a Rock Star, visit https://www.confectionsofarockstar.com/