Join thousands of other listeners on our Substack, The Foodletter!   In this episode, Brooke Eliason sits down with Tami Steggell, the founder of RubySnap Bakery in Salt Lake City, to discuss her journey from architectural design to becoming one of the most respected names in the world of cookies. Tami shares the inspiration behind her creative and high-quality cookies, her dedication to sourcing the best ingredients, and how her love for flavor exploration has shaped RubySnap’s success. She also reveals insights into entrepreneurship, the importance of customer service, and her future vision for her content platform, Bite Me Industries.   Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a home baker looking to perfect your cookies, or simply a foodie who loves a good story, this episode is packed with inspiration, wisdom, and deliciousness!   Key Takeaways

• [11:56] From Architecture to Baking: Tami transitioned from a successful career in architecture to launching RubySnap in 2008 after becoming frustrated with the lack of flavorful sweet treats.
• [18:35] Branding with a Story: The bakery’s name and cookie branding are inspired by World War II, honoring the creativity and resourcefulness of that era. Each cookie is named after a real person who has inspired Tami.
• [23:45] The Art of Flavor Development: Every RubySnap cookie is uniquely crafted with its own dough, rather than using a standard base. This dedication to quality ensures an exceptional flavor experience. 
• [24:29] The Importance of High-Quality Ingredients: Tami is deeply committed to sourcing premium ingredients, from vanilla beans in Bali to local dairy, eggs, and flour in Utah.
• [28:08] Keys to Perfect Homemade Cookies: Weighing ingredients, using room-temperature butter, chilling dough, and baking on high-quality parchment paper are essential to achieving bakery-level cookies at home.
• [32:16] Customer Service as a Mission: Tami’s philosophy centers around spreading joy, ensuring every customer leaves happier than when they arrived. The bakery’s generous sample policy and personalized service reflect this ethos.
• [44:54] Expanding Beyond Cookies: Tami has launched Bite Me Industries, a food content platform where she shares recipes, cooking tips, and her love for high-quality ingredients. She hopes to expand into cookbook writing and a podcast focusing on farmers, millers, and ranchers.

  Notable Quotes

• (12:18) “I wanted to create cookies that had the wow factor, where every bite was an experience.”
• (34:13) “I call it ‘Kill Them with Kindness’—you never know what someone is going through, and a small act of kindness can change their day.”
• (20:07) “Every cookie is named after someone meaningful in my life—it’s a way of honoring the people who have influenced me.”
• (47:28) “Food encapsulates everything—love, connection, culture, and community.”

  Resources

• Roasted Red Pepper Dressing Recipe
• Visit the official RubySnap website
• Visit the official Bite Me Industries website for recipes
• Follow RubySnap on Instagram
• Follow Female Foodie on Instagram