“Doughs are like living creatures.”

That’s how Kristen Hall (she/her) describes her babies—aka her croissants, cakes, and so many tarts. Nine years ago, she quit her 9-to-5 to pursue her dream of becoming a pastry chef. Now, she owns 2 businesses—The Essential and Bandit Patisserie—and is working on a third, all while being a single mom and burgeoning interior decorator.

Below, Kristen shares how playing ding-dong ditch inspired her nickname, the kitchen tool she can’t live without, and how she finds time for self-care amid the busyness.

We heard you’re known as “the baking bandit” in Birmingham!
Yes! When I left my career to pursue pastry in 2013, I really wanted to teach my 2 daughters the joys of baking. So that summer, we started making pastries for our neighbors and would leave them on their doorsteps. Then we’d ring the doorbell and run away! That’s how we became known as the baking bandits.

True or false: Pastries are always sweet.
False. In the South, people often associate pastries with things like cakes, ice cream, and sprinkles, but I’m more on the savory side. I just really love the balance of both, and using French techniques allows me to create that.

What’s a kitchen tool you can’t live without?
Gosh, it’s simple, but an offset spatula. I love this wooden-handled one from Ateco. You can use them for so many things! I have them stashed everywhere in my house and all over the bakery.

You already own a cafe and a bakery, and now you’re opening a wine bar! Why venture into that space?
Our cafe has that modern nostalgia, refined Americana kinda vibe, and our bakery has that early morning espresso, cozy croissant feel. But my business partner and I really enjoy the more European style of dining that’s more laid back, like a casual snack and wine situation. So we really wanted to bring that to Birmingham.

Aside from owning 3 businesses, you’re also a single mom and interior decorator. Do you ever find time for self-care?
I do, actually—especially once the pandemic began and I realized how much I’d been overworking. It made me dial back the amount of hours I spent at the shops, because the truth is, the only person that will ever really care for you, is you. So I usually try to spend at least an hour a day doing some kind of intentional movement like yoga, a long walk, or going to the gym. If you don’t care for yourself, you can’t care for other people.

What’s your best advice for an aspiring entrepreneur?
You have to be committed to lifelong learning. You never really arrive, and if you do, then you set yourself up too short. And you can’t be afraid to fail! Whether it’s testing recipes or doing things you’re not good at, it’s good to get comfortable being uncomfortable. That’s the only way you can push through to the other side.