Sweet dreams come true for NGTC graduate

TOCCOA - "I have always dreamed of eventually having my own bakery," says Morrell Johnson, proud owner of the Swap Shop Café in downtown Toccoa. "Eventually just came a lot sooner than I had expected!"

Johnson is a recent graduate of the Culinary Arts program at North Georgia Technical College.

"It's more than just baking and cooking," she explains. "It's learning how to manage your kitchen and coordinate inventory."

The Swap Shop Café is actually two businesses in one. The Sugar Rush Bakery is the venue Morrell uses for her passion for artistic and creative cupcakes, Danishes, and many other delights. The Swap Shop is a joint venture with the owners of Cottage Chic out of Homer, who offer a variety of antiques and vintage wares.

"My menu varies daily because I'm inspired by what I have on hand in the kitchen," Morrell goes on to explain. "Of course we have the standard flavors like chocolate and red velvet, but we also have some of my specialties like the bacon maple cupcakes and the S'mores cupcakes."

"Morrell was a model student," said NGTC Culinary Arts Instructor Chef Chris Bladowski. "Her focus on her goals was evident in her commitment to her studies. We love to see our students realize their dreams."

Johnson attributes her accomplishments to a support network that not only includes college instructors and classmates, but most especially from her family.

"Dorien is one of my best salesmen, telling customers that he's in charge and I just get to cook," she grins, referring to her son. She is grateful from the help she gets for Dorien, Judy (Mom), Aunt Winnette, Granny Winnie, boyfriend Cory Copeland, and Cory's son Josiah.

The Sugar Rush Bakery is located at 11 East Doyle Street and is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10:00-6:00, and Wednesday & Saturday from 10:00-3:00.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2012/4/247529