Finally Filled Up On Easy Bake Ovens
BAKED IN MEMORIES
Finally Filled Up On Easy Bake Ovens
THERE'S A BIT OF DISCREPANCY BETWEEN MY MOM, BROTHER AND MYSELF regarding an Easy Bake oven that they insist
I had, and that I insist I didn't.
My brother even remembers exactly where it was in the basement: between the Lincoln Logs and the Spirograph. But I always remember having to go to a friend's house in order to play with one. Valerie had the first model, the beautiful aqua blue one, and I LOVED it.
This has led to a long time yearning for the coveted object.
Growing up, my mother and I always baked, but I didn't really pursue the vocation until I graduated from college with a degree in Fine Arts, and Museum Studies, and of course had to find a job in the restaurant industry! Knowing that I'd be no good in the front of the house, I ended up in the kitchen, where I found that could combine my love of food and art.
I was always interested in all things vintage, and I became quite the eclectic collector of things. It wasn't until I was designing my own bakery space that I started to collect as many toy ovens as I could.
I knew that I wanted to focus on retro desserts, and what better way to show those off than in a space filled with the coveted retro toy of my youth? They are up on a high shelf around the bakery's perimeter, and I love to watch folks come in and notice them when they look up.
I've found that many of my customers both young and old often have their own "first" Easy Bake oven story to tel., They all seem to have deep memories of them, and I always enjoy listening to their tales.
As for me, I finally have all the toy ovens I could possibly want.
Stephanie Samuels is the owner of Angel Food Bakery in Chicago where she displays her collection of vintage toy ovens. Ronald Howes, the Easy Bake's creator, died last month at age 83.
