Carey Bell’s love for baking began at an early age.  As a Pittstown, New Jersey native, she started her own business, Sweet Caroline’s, at age twelve by taking orders from her friends and delivering them after school. Finding that her sweet creations brought joy to herself and her customers, Bell continued her business in high school and discovered her specialty: cupcakes.  She soon found herself (and her cupcakes) featured in a special “Mother/Daughter Cupcake Baking Challenge” segment on The Rachel Ray Show in New York City.  Since then, Bell’s dream of becoming a pastry chef only grew stronger and didn’t travel far from the Manhattan skyline.

Bell graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, where she earned her Associates degree in Baking and Pastry Arts in 2013.  Bell then worked at various family-owned bakeries in New Jersey before moving south to Atlanta, GA, in 2014. Fueled by her strong work ethic and a desire to expand her baking experience, she accepted a position at Decatur’s Cakes & Ale under the direction of Billy Allin and his talented team.  Bell was promoted to Pastry Chef at their sister restaurant, Proof Bakeshop, in 2016. Her inventive new recipes and recreated family favorites quickly made Proof Bakeshop the hot spot in Atlanta.

The garden state lured her back to her hometown of Pittstown, New Jersey in 2018 where she currently resides. Her baking creations hold a special quality; they not only taste delicious, but also bring about feelings of comfort. Her butter cookies and German Chocolate Cake evoke memories of your grandmother’s kitchen table.  She describes her creations as simple and refined, made with the best ingredients and techniques.