Beyond the Bakery: Navigating Motherhood, Saying No, and Creating Opportunities for the Next Generation with Chef Kimberly I. Houston

Disclaimer: This episode briefly discusses human trafficking. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact: Polaris National Human Trafficking Hotline 24/7 Confidential 1-888-373-7888 TTY: 711 Text* 233733

What happens when the career you love doesn't always fit the life you're trying to build, especially when you're raising a family along the way?

In Episode 5 of 86 the Stigma, a CHOW podcast powered by Hospitality Bites Media, host Colleen Silk sits down with Kimberly I. Houston, Le Cordon Bleu-trained pastry chef, educator, author, entrepreneur, and business strategist, to explore parenting in hospitality, setting boundaries, and building a career that evolves alongside family life.

From following a dream that led her to pastry school to raising children while building a bakery business, Kimberly shares how motherhood shaped her professional journey and challenged traditional expectations of a culinary career.

But her story goes well beyond baking.

Kimberly opens up about navigating her youngest child's diagnosis journey, homeschooling for a decade, and creating opportunities when existing systems didn't meet her family's needs. She shares how setting boundaries, protecting her time, and learning to say no became essential to both her business and family.

Together, Colleen and Kimberly explore the realities of parenting in hospitality, the pressure to be everything to everyone, and why success doesn't have to follow a traditional path.

They also discuss Kimberly's evolving career, from bakery ownership and cookbook development to creating Teach Me How to Bake™ and a baking and pastry curriculum for middle and high school students, helping open doors for the next generation of culinary professionals.

At its heart, this conversation is about recognizing that our careers, families, and priorities evolve, and that setting boundaries isn't giving up on ambition. It's making room for what matters.

And sometimes the greatest opportunities come from knowing when to say no, when to say yes, and having the confidence to build something that doesn't exist yet.

ABOUT 86 THE STIGMA

86 the Stigma is a CHOW podcast powered by Hospitality Bites Media, hosted by Colleen Silk. This season brings together voices from across food, beverage, and hospitality for honest conversations about mental health, burnout, recovery, leadership, workplace culture, and the human experiences behind the industry.

This season is made possible with support from Hoshizaki America and US Foods® — We Help You Make It®.

CHOW SUPPORT & RESOURCES

CHOW (Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness) provides peer support, community, and mental health resources for people working in hospitality.

Visit https://www.chowco.org/ to learn more and access resources.

Hosted by: Colleen Silk
Produced by: Hospitality Bites Media

Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of CHOW, Hospitality Bites Media, our sponsors, or affiliated organizations. Conversations are intended for education and awareness and should not replace professional medical or mental health advice.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis in the U.S., call or text 988 for immediate support.