Brittney Hardy is a 2018 NDSCS Culinary Arts graduate. She recently opened the Bakery Shoppe in Oakes, ND and provides the area with baked treats like dulce caramel rolls, eclairs, sourdough chocolate chip scones, angel food cake with fresh whip and strawberries, rhubarb muffins and snickerdoodle cookies, as well as fresh baked bread and buns, and daily salads and soups.
When considering her options after high school, Brittney appreciated that NDSCS offered a solid Culinary Program and was close enough to her hometown of Oakes and her support system. While a student at NDSCS, Brittney was involved in the ACF Culinary Competition Team and competed at National SkillsUSA. Upon graduation, Brittney continued learning while working at Mezzaluna, Nichole’s Fine Pastry and BernBaums before opening her own bakery.
Brittney was well prepared for this big step with all the opportunities that the NDSCS Culinary Arts Program offers students to put their skills to work. Her most memorable moments while a student include making over 700 pies each year for fundraising, coming into the kitchen early to make caramel rolls for the weekly sale, and putting on the student run restaurant, The 6th Street Eatery.
When asked what wisdom she’d share with her 16-year-old self, Brittney says to “just do the thing”, whatever that is. “Whether it be going to school for something you’re passionate about or taking a class that you think sounds cool. Just do it. Odds are you’ll look back and regret not taking an opportunity more than you’d regret doing it. Also, it’s okay to go out of your comfort zone and try new things. Finally,” she says, “stay weird and have fun.”
We’re thrilled Brittney had the courage to “just do the thing” and open her bakery to share her skills with the fortunate residents of the Oakes area. Visit the Bakery Shoppe at 504 Main Ave, Oakes, ND and follow her on Facebook at The Bakery Shoppe – Oakes (we do, and we wish we were closer to regularly sample her creations!).