We had the good fortune of connecting with Alison Mahoney and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Alison, how do you think about risk?
Establishing a brand and putting yourself out there is all about taking a risk!
I was dubbed The Singing Baker by The Food Network when, on a whim and at the behest of friends, I battled it out for singing, and baking, domination on the food competition show Sweet Genius. Following my star turn (ha!) and knowing next to nothing about the television medium, I pitched Singing Baker segment ideas to anyone who would listen. Since then, I have become a regular contributor on PIX11 and CBS Cooking on the Couch and have appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Food Network, The Steve Harvey Show, NBC, CBS, HBO The New York Post, Great Day SA, and NY1. I also created an online presence and have secured my position as a micro influencer, baking expert, and host in the food space. My journey has not always been all cupcakes and champs though.
I am proud to say that my risks have paid off and I have never held a real 9-5 job as an adult. I know, crazy, but true.
After training as a classical opera singer, I moved to New York City with a couple hundred dollars and lived in an illegal loft in a bedroom with no walls, hoofing it to Broadway audition after Broadway audition hearing more no’s than you could ever imagine. Desperate to be seen, heard, and express myself creatively I started side hustles. At first they were all hobbies or things I was good at that took shape in rather epic ways culminating in meetings with national and international brands and national features in magazines and television.
Being told no constantly as an actor made it easy to put myself out there over and over again without fear of rejection.
But if I am being honest, taking a risk just feels like a step in the right direction when it is driven by vision and passion. You truly have nothing to lose, and everything to gain, by putting yourself and your idea out there every single day. You never know what email, IG post, or tweet will catch the eye of someone looking for someone just like you!
Yes, you will lose momentum, question your choices, cry, bake and eat an entire batch of cookies (or am I the only one?), and become completely and totally demoralized at some point. Take the hit, use the feedback to make adjustments, and harness that energy (and sugar high from the cookies) to propel yourself toward a rebirth, a new idea, and a renewed sense of purpose. And when you’re in the thick of it…celebrate with even more cookies, put on some Dolly Parton, and keep taking quantum leaps forward.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a classically trained opera singer turned musical theatre performer with a passion for baking. Those all go together right?
I moved to New York with a couple hundred dollars in my pocket and a dream to be on Broadway. While I have had great successes as a performer Off Broadway, national tours, regional shows, and a soloist for the Pope in Rome I have never achieved my goal of being on Broadway. It is my greatest bugaboo in life if I am being honest. Hearing no, after no, after no day in and day out can wreak havoc on your soul and creativity.
That is 100% the reason I started baking. I needed a creative outlet in the down time where I could express myself, share my joy, love and tasty treats with people, and experience immediate success. My baking hobby, like most hobbies do, became an obsession and the perfect compliment to my performance career. Plus it doesn’t hurt to bring some sweet treats to the first day of rehearsals to buy, ahem, make friends!
The Singing Baker was born out of my two passions: Singing and Baking. I have found a way to weave these two things together that not only make baking more fun, but also allows me to authentically be myself. The Singing Baker road has not always been easy. I still get a lot of no’s, but I find fulfillment in coming up with the perfect flourless chocolate chip cookie recipe or making an out of this world space cake for a friend’s birthday while singing a high C. I get to create magic and put smiles on people’s faces every single day and that is a true gift.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh if my bestie is in town our plan is to eat, eat, and eat some more. Maybe we will fit in some vintage shopping and a Broadway show or two, but the priority is tasty ridiculously delicious meals.
We would likely do croissants at Breads Bakery, followed by a wander through Union Square Market as we gape at all of gorgeous produce and come up with recipe ideas on the spot. We would then head to high tea at queensyard, then walk the highline to burn off some of the calories! We would head to Midtown for pre-theatre steamed buns at Little Steam Bun Ramen before going to see a show.
On Sunday we would head back to our old stomping grounds in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and hit all of our favorite old haunts starting with Peter Pan Bakery for THE best donuts in the entire city. Then we would head to do some serious vintage shopping slowly making our way to Roberta’s for pizza. Then we would wander into and out of shops and bakeries reminiscing and ending up at Marlow and Sons for sunset and aperitivo.
The we would roll our way home watching hilarious dog videos the whole way. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh my goodness yes! I would like to shout out my husband The Professor who is the most patient Instagram Husband on the planet. My friend Jack who has been with me on this journey every step of the way. The incomparable producer Veronica Rosario who has believed in me and championed The Singing Baker since its inception. The salty to my sweet Lizzie who sent me the notice for The Food Network Show, and George Brescia who has shared so much advice and resources over the years.
Website: alisonmahoney.com
Instagram: SingingBaker
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-mahoney-4942195a/
Twitter: SingingBKR
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alison.mahoney.94
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsfUPAw09OqAnQgXSllkMKA
Image Credits
Photo with pie by NathanMPhotos Photo with Bundt Cake by Gabby Garcia Photo with English Muffins by The Professor Photo of Strawberry Thyme Hand Pies by The Singing Baker Photo of Honey Cardamom Buns by The Singing Baker Photo of German Chocolate Cake by NathanMPhotos Photo of Banana Chocolate Cream Puffs by The Singing Baker Photos of Donuts by NathanMPhotos