Sweet Henrietta's Sweet Smell Of Success

For Rick and Tina Stanfield, the “sweet smell of success” comes from their pastry ovens. They have both rolled up their sleeves in a combined effort to make Sweet Henrietta’s Treats a SoWal favorite.

Sweet Henrietta’s cupcakes, cookies, cakes, brownies, breads and pies, all homemade using only the finest ingredients, have quickly become the “thing” to order for weddings, parties, or basically, for ANY excuse to treat a roomful of people. The couple, who only seven years ago found themselves broke and homeless, thank Divine intervention for the path that led them to where they are today. Tina, who was at the time working at the Watercolor Store, started bringing her pastries into work and everyone encouraged her to sell them at the local outdoor markets. 

So off to Seaside she went and thus Sweet Henrietta’s was born. Their business took off to the point that they needed to make a few changes. In the interest of growth, they teamed up with Grayton Beach Catering and were able to use their catering kitchen. The name for their company by the way, comes from their awesome border collie Henrietta, not a true cupcake connoisseur, but a true Frisbee-catching top dog mascot!  Although the couple misses their presence at the Saturday Seaside Farmers Market,  they are kept busy fulfilling their pastry orders.

Rick and Tina share in the pastry preparation fulfilling their made-to-order, seven-day-a-week requests. They both know all the ingredients with Rick in charge of cheesecakes. The Wine World at WaterColor carries many of their pastries including their cakes, cheesecakes, and key lime pies. A number of items are available for shipping. Visit sweethenriettas.com for a full menu. Orders can be picked up, but for the most part are delivered.

The couple has picked up quite a celebrity following and were busy recently baking a special three-layer, twelve-inch birthday cake for chef Emeril Lagasse’s wife, Alden.
Although Sweet Henrietta has become a local household name, Rick and Tina recently saw their treats “go national” on the Today Show when popular interior designer Vern Yip featured several of their concoctions as part of a “Beautiful Holiday Centerpieces” feature.

Tina, who had never boarded an airplane, still glows when she thinks about their New York experience.

“I was really nervous about the trip,” says Tina. “But thanks to the generosity of various donors and the help of Grayton Beach Catering's Cheri Peebles, all went off without a hitch.”

Not to miss out on an opportunity, Tina and Rick took along gift bags to be given to the Today staff. Included in the bags were copies of their new book, “It’s All Good.”

The couple is now making it possible for folks to bake their own Sweet Henrietta Treats with the publishing of this book. The softcover pastry cookbook can be purchased locally at Seaside’s Sundog Books and at the Blue Giraffe in WaterColor. The book can also be purchased online from amazon.com. Ten of their most popular recipes are featured. A follow-up to this book is now in the making. Their first book signing took place at The Blue Giraffe and sold out quickly. Their second book signing took place at Sundog Books and was well-received with attendants able to enjoy various Sweet Henrietta Treats during the signing.

Although “It’s All Good” is a great pastry cookbook, Rick’s soulful description of how things were not always “all good” is well voiced by the author. Since the ingredients for their recipes are so important, the book contains names of various PREFERRED ingredients which are often bought in bulk and can be purchased in smaller quantities from Sweet Henrietta’s.

The hours of operation for Sweet Henrietta’s are basically 8-5, Monday-Saturday.  They are in the process of moving their baking operation to 605 North Hwy. 393, just north of Hwy. 98. For further information, please call 850-420-4566 or visit their web site at www.sweethenriettas.com With the upcoming holiday season quickly approaching, sweets are in order and you’ll have some smiley faces at dessert time!