One Smart Cookie in AZ .......

                Meet Israel                                                                                                    Meet Israel's mixer                      

                              Together they help mix the yummy cookies, brownies and sweets for Smart Cookie.

But Israel (theatre art nerd) and his mixer are not the only members of the scholastic team.


Other classmates include, Samantha (set design nerd) and Joey (music nerd) that assist with the geeky creations.










OH!!! And I can't forget the most important part of this class -
the professor - Macallan.

He watches over the students to make sure that everything is done with precision and care.


In all seriousness though, I had the pleasure and opportunity to talk to Israel from Smart Cookie to get the story on how Smart Cookie came to be.



Israel had several inspirations for wanting to start his own business.
Mostly his sweet tooth. (is it wrong to say sweet teeth?) ....lol  But there were other contributing factors.







His red KitchenAid mixer.

He had wanted a mixer and well..... he went out and bought one.
After purchasing his mixer, he baked his first cake.  He was excited and so proud of that cake he had made using his beautiful red KitchenAid mixer.




Hmmm...KitchenAid mixer..."light bulb"!  That created an outline for the syllabus of his self challenge.  The notes for the syllabus actually happened when one day Israel went to the Phoenix Farmer's Market.  He saw a teenager with a smoothie stand.

He thought to himself, "If he can do it, why can't I?"




So became the self challenge and excitement of owning and operating his own business.  Being able to call the creative shots and taking the risks "he /they" wanted to take.  What did Israel have to loose?  I mean if nothing else he still had his pretty red KitchenAid mixer.


When I asked how Joey and Samantha got roped into it, Israel told me that they were just excited and loved the concept.  And after having met Israel, I can totally see that.  He has a great personality and his eyes lit up when I was talking to him about his passion.  He's like the captain of the debate team.  Coming up with the strategies, giving pep talks and guiding the class onto victory.




And why cookies???

He chose cookies based on what he likes or loves and would experiment using friends as subject matters and would get their feedback on what they liked or didn't or what worked and what didn't.

I asked, "why the name "Smart Cookie" and how did that concept come to be?"
Israel told me that there were three pieces to that equation.

First part is that all three classmates are teachers.  Israel a theatre art teacher, Joey a music teacher and a sax player and Samantha a production studies teacher and set design.

Second part is that Joey wanted and needed to go see an eye doctor. Joey has bad eyes.  Israel said he knew that he should go and get his eyes checked but didn't like the idea of sticking something in his eyes -contacts and didn't want to look like a nerd/geek by wearing glasses.  But Israel went with Joey, he told himself that if he did have bad eyes (which he knew he did) then he would embrace his inner "geekness".

The third part, the kids in Israel's class.  They were part of the inspiration of the school concept.  
That smart kids = the geek/nerd stereo type.  That smart kids have great strength and they embrace being geeks/nerds.

Recipe's in place, booth in place.....(gulp!) first booth and month of business Nov 2011. YUP!!!             

I said it correctly - Smart Cookie started in Nov 2011 ~ class in session!! 

After the first day in the booth, Israel said it just felt right, that this was it.  He said " It was like owning your own lemonade stand as a kid"

Thus class began in the Smart Cookie home economics class.




Currently class is held usually once a week and for about 20hrs.


They get together to bake orders received on their website or from the Downtown Phoenix Public Market that is held every Saturday from 800am-100pm.


You can also order from the website www.smartcookieaz.com and pickup the order at the market on Saturday.

                                                         


I also stopped by the market to see Israel in action at the Smart Cookie booth.  He was talking to some customers when Jo-girl and I had stopped by to see him. (he was explaining the class attendance to customers)

I was fortunate enough to have had sampled the "Valedictorian" ~ salted caramel brownie when I met with Israel the first time and it's to die for!


Smart Cookie takes pride in using all natural ingredients, including organic and local ingredients such as chocolate from Wei of Chocolate, Absolutely Delightful Local Arizona Honey and Hickman's Family Farm Eggs to name a few.




I asked if he has plans to enroll anymore students in his current class such as a "student of the month" or perhaps a monthly "honor roll" member and he said they were thinking about it.  They had a bunch of Meyers Lemons they were going to figure out what to do with. ( I suggested a lemon honey lavender treat of some kind)   ;)  He is also thinking about treats for pets.




You will always be greeted with a smile and wonderful service from Smart Cookie.




















You certainly will not be disappointed by these wonderful treats.


Jo-girl and I split the "Over Achiever" cookie ~
chocolate chip edged with chocolate. (drool)



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Keep a watchful eye out for these students as they are looking to expand into local stores and coffee shops in the near future.  Wishing the best to the graduate class of 2011!

Smart Cookie Class of 2011