The Perfect Rise: Conversations with RBA
"The Perfect Rise: Conversations with RBA" is your all-access pass to the heart of the retail baking industry. Each episode brings you inside the kitchen with leading bakers, educators, and innovators who share their stories, tips, and insights. From the secrets of achieving the perfect loaf to navigating business growth, we explore what it takes to elevate your baking craft and career. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, an aspiring baker, or simply hungry for inspiration, tune in and discover how the Retail Bakers of America helps you rise to every challenge—and savor every success.
Episodes
22 episodes
E21: The Bagel Ambassador joins The Perfect Rise!
What happens when you spot a gap in the market that should exist… and decide to build it yourself?BagelFest was born from that exact moment — an idea that didn’t make sense not to exist. In today’s episode, Chef Kimberl...
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Episode 21
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37:23
E20: Icing Smiles: Turning Compassion Into Cake
What if one cake could change everything?In this heartfelt episode of The Perfect Rise Podcast, Chef Kimberly Houston sits down with Tracy Quisenberry, founder of Icing Smiles
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Episode 20
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26:50
E19: Why We’re Losing Chefs — and How CHOW’s Fixing It
What if the same passion that drives your success is quietly breaking you down?In this powerful episode of The Perfect Rise, Chef Kimberly Houston sits down with Jasmin Vitolo Parks-Papadopoulos, Chief Growth Offic...
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Episode 19
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32:46
E18: Mastery, Mindset & Integrity: Lessons from Certified Master Baker Chef Cody Middleton
What does it really take to become a Certified Master Baker—and a true master of your craft?In this episode of The Perfect Rise, Chef Kimberl...
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Episode 18
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31:18
E:17 Chef Matthew Ratliff on Mastering Pastry & Career Success
What does it take to rise to the top of the pastry world? In this episode of The Perfect Rise: Conversations with the RBA, Executive Pastry Chef Matthew Ratliff shares his journey from the Culinary Institute of America to competing (an...
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Episode 17
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28:06
E16: From Fine Dining to Cookie Empire | The Perfect Rise Podcast
What happens when a fine dining pastry chef faces a career-ending injury? For Tracy Mattson, it became the spark that launched Cookie Take a Bite—a boutique cookie brand built on elevated flavors, thoughtful presentation, and a deep co...
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Episode 16
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43:40
E15: From Pastry Chef to Industry Leader: Scott Calvert’s Baking Journey
From Pastry Chef to Industry Leader: Scott Calvert’s Baking JourneyIn this episode of The Perfect Rise, Scott Calvert—President of Tootie Pie Co. and immediate past president of the Retail Bakers of America—shares his 35+...
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Episode 15
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37:32
E14: From Weekend Help to Donut Empire: Gary VanderStelt of Sprinkles Donuts
From Weekend Help to Donut Empire: Gary VanderStelt of Sprinkles Donuts | The Perfect Rise PodcastWhat happens when the kid who swore he’d never work in a bakery ends up running one of the busiest donut operations in Michigan?...
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Episode 14
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37:45
E13: The Truth About Becoming a Certified Master Baker
What does it really take to become a Certified Master Baker? In this episode of The Perfect Rise, Chef LeeAnn Adams shares her journey—from late nights in the kitchen to passing one of the most intense baking exams in the indu...
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Episode 13
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19:18
E12: Baking Isn’t Hard: Taylor Craft on Curiosity & Cake
What does it take to go from actor to baker—and find your flavor voice along the way?In this episode of The Perfect Rise, host Kimberly Houston sits down with Taylor Craft, a Kendall College grad and career changer who left a 13...
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Episode 12
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29:33
E11: Inside the Certified Master Baker Exam with Austin Scoles
What does it take to join the elite ranks of Certified Master Bakers (CMB)? In this powerful episode of The Perfect Rise, we go behind the scenes with Chef Austin Scoles—pastry chef, educator, and one of the newest CMBs certified by th...
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Episode 11
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29:41
E10: Pastry with Jen Heide at Palm Beach’s Elite Everglades Club
From Fine Pastry to Mentorship: Chef Jennifer Hyde on Lifelong Learning in the KitchenWhat does it take to build a career in pastry that spans bread, chocolate, and mentorship? In this episode of The Perfect Rise: Conversation...
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Episode 10
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30:51
E9: How Heather Ugorowski Baked Through Grief and Built a Community—One Pastry at a Time
From decorating cakes at age 12 to launching a bakery in memory of her son, Heather Ugorowski’s baking journey is one of passion, purpose, and perseverance. In this heartfelt episode of The Perfect Rise, the RBA podcast, Heather shares...
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Episode 9
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41:28
E8: How CMB Derek Corsino Built a Career from Cakes, Classrooms, and Bold Yeses
What do you get when you combine a lifelong artist, a pastry chef, and an award-winning educator? You get Certified Master Baker Derek Corsino.In this inspiring episode of T
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Episode 8
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36:46
E7: From Corporate to Crumb: How Amie Smith Built a Beloved Scratch Bakery After 50
What happens when a high-powered marketing consultant trades her corporate corner office for a 30-quart mixer and a dream? In this powerful episode of The Perfect Rise, Kimberly Houston sits down with Amie Smith, pastry chef and owner ...
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Episode 7
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34:17
E6: Zingerman’s Secrets: How Amy Emberling Turned Passion into a Lasting Baking Legacy
In this inspiring episode of The Perfect Rise, host Kimberly Houston sits down with Amy Emberling, Managing Partner at the legendary Zingerman’s Bakehouse, to explore wha...
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Episode 6
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26:06
Ep5: Selling Your Bakery: What Comes Next? | Shellie Slove on Life After Ownership
What happens when it’s time to step away from the bakery that’s shaped your life? In this episode of The Perfect Rise, we sit down with Shellie Slove—baker’s daughter, third-generation entrepreneur, and Head of Bakery Success at Bakesm...
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Episode 5
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43:26
E4: Building a Bakery That Lasts: Kirk Rossberg on 40 Years of Growth at Torrance Bakery
What does it take to not just survive—but thrive—for 50 years in the baking industry?In this episode of The Perfect Rise, Kimberly Houston sits down with Kirk Rossberg, owner of the award-winning Torrance Bake...
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Episode 4
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24:04
E3: Want to Be a Pastry Chef? CIA Instructor Jesse Jackson III Shares the Truth
In this episode of The Perfect Rise Podcast, Chef Jesse Jackson III, CMB, shares his incredible journey from pastry chef to educator at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and Certified Master Baker. Jesse takes us through the chal...
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Episode 3
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47:21
E2: Legacy Baking: How Marc Anderson Grew Linda’s Bakery into a Local Institution
In this episode of The Perfect Rise, host Kimberly Houston chats with Marc Anderson, President of Linda's Bakery, to uncover the secrets behind his decad...
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Episode 2
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9:20
