It’s something some South Mississippi residents almost take for granted. That something, is the first bite into a king cake.
For many across the United States, that first bite may never come.
However, thanks to the efforts of Paul’s Pastry Shop owner Sherri Thigpen and her son-in-law Clay Brunson, thousands across the country will experience the taste of a Mardi Gras king cake.
Last year, Brunson visited six bakeries across the United States to share with bakery owners how to make the bakery’s original cream cheese and fruit filled Mardi Gras king cakes.
“We know bakers in other parts of the country that don’t celebrate Mardi Gras,” Thigpen said. “And although our cakes are shipped across the U.S., we wanted to teach other bakeries how to make our king cakes.”
Each bakery is licensed by Paul’s to make king cakes by following the bakery’s procedures, Thigpen said. All the cakes are labeled with a Paul’s Pastry Shop logo and an Official Best of King Cakes 2014 label.
In November 2014, Paul’s Pastry Shop was transformed into a movie set when crews from the Official Best Of came to film the bakery’s staff in action.
During the training, bakers from across the country received step-by-step illustrated directions, the cream cheese filling recipe and how to mix, bake, package and ship the king cakes, Thigpen said.
“The bakers said they were impressed with our training process and Clay did a great job,” Thigpen said. “They love our product. It’s been a wonderful new adventure and we are excited about the next three weeks, as we head into Mardi Gras.”
Brunson traveled and trained with bakeries in California, Oklahoma, Washington State, Ohio and New Jersey, Thigpen said.
The king cakes can now be purchased at Torrance Bakery in Torrance, California; Merritt’s Bakery in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Celebrity Cake Studio in Tacoma, Washington; Ele´Cake Company in West Carrolton, Ohio and La Bonbonniere Bake Shoppes in Edison, New Jersey.
A complete listing of locations in and around Mississippi can be found on Paul’s website at www.paulspastry.com.
The bakery is located at 1 Sycamore Rd., Suite A and is open Monday through Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Paul’s is closed on Sundays.
Learn more about Paul’s and find a list of locations selling Paul’s King Cakes at the website www.paulspatry.com. Follow the bakery on Facebook at Paul’s Pastry Shop.
View the Official Best Of’s website at www.officialbestof.com to view the video.