Herr and her husband moved to North Carolina in 1993 and have two children, both tweens. She worked at IBM for 20 years, before she left the full-time workforce to raise her kids. She's spent time as a preschool teacher, a room mother, a PTA volunteer, a Girl Scout leader and a faith formation instructor at her church.
Now, she's excited about the jump to cooking studio owner. The business offers classes, camps, birthday parties and more. There also are two Flour Power locations in Raleigh, along with a third in Charlotte. Here's a Q&A:
Go Ask Mom: What made you decide to buy the Flour Power franchise. Had your kids participated in the programs in Raleigh?
Tammy Herr: We loved the idea of a kids cooking studio! And with our experience with children: Volunteering and working with them, this seemed like a great fit. My husband and I both enjoy being with children and loved the concept. Once we met Susan Caldwell, the founder, and saw the studio in Raleigh, we were hooked!
GAM: What do you love about the concept? Why did you think it would be a great fit for Cary?
TH: I love that the children are in control and make their own meals at the studio with guidance from our wonderful instructors. Children learn through experience - hands-on discovery. I hear from many parents that their child is eating different things - trying new things - after coming to our studios. The parents are thrilled! Cary is a growing city and Flour Power is a great fit for the community! There is a need for something different - a place where children can come and experiment with different ingredients and create something fabulous!
GAM: What all do you offer?
TH: We offer camps (summer and track out), cooking classes, etiquette training, monthly Kids Night Out events, birthday parties, special needs classes and team building events.
GAM: Why do you think kids love being in the kitchen and helping out?
TH: Kids love to be involved in creating their own meals. They also love to cook for others. I am finding that after kids participate in classes or camp, they tend to make meals for their families - going to the store to purchase the ingredients and then following the recipe to make a meal. I love hearing from parents: How their child is being more adventurous, trying new things and also cooking for their family.
GAM: What's your family's favorite meal? Can you share the recipe?
TH: One of our family's favorite recipes is the Molten Lava Cake. Absolutely amazing!
Molten Lava Cakes
• 6 (1-ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate
• 2 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
• 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 stick) butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Grease 6 (6-ounce) custard cups. Melt the chocolates and butter in the microwave, or in a double boiler. Add the flour and sugar to chocolate mixture. Stir in the eggs and yolks until smooth. Stir in the vanilla. Divide the batter evenly among the custard cups. Place in the oven and bake for 7 minutes. The edges should be firm but the center will be runny. Run a knife around the edges to loosen and invert onto dessert plate.
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