Simeon Manber, executive pastry chef at Connie’s Bakery in Mount Kisco, NY, recently spoke about his admiration for the bakery’s owner, Connie Milstein, and the sense of fulfillment gained by helping others in the local community. Connie’s Bakery is a socially-responsible bakery and gift shop located about an hour north of Manhattan in Mount Kisco. The bakery’s second location, which opened in 2006, is located in the main lobby of the Northern Westchester Hospital. Both stores, which specialize in hand-made cookies, cakes, pies, and tarts, aim to make as much money as possible – just to give it all away. One-hundred percent of the bakeries’ net profits are distributed to six different partner charities each year.

Chef Manber has worked at Connie’s Bakery since the store opened seven years ago. The job was perfect for the Culinary Institute of America graduate, allowing him to combine his love of baking with his passion for social work. Each year, Manber selects an individual to work in the shop as part of a one-year, full-time baking apprenticeship. Over the course of the year, the apprentice will not only learn the finer points of baking and pastry preparation, but will also learn skills like time management, business management and self confidence. Manber works with these employees at the end of their apprenticeships to find jobs at a higher level in the food service industry.

This commitment to philanthropy and service on behalf of Connie’s Bakery comes in part from the bakeries’ owner. Connie Milstein works in New York City’s real estate and property development industry as an attorney and senior business executive. In addition to Connie’s Bakery, Milstein is a well-known philanthropist and patron of education, arts and sciences. She is active on a number of boards including Blue Star Families, the Humpty Dumpty Institute and Medical Missions for Children.

For more information, visit the Connie’s Bakery website or view the bakeries’ menu.