Meet Kimmie Simpson | Owner/Decorator/Pastry Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimmie Simpson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimmie, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
One aspect that “makes me happy” is that emerald Whisk Studio was created under the idea of bringing joy and whimsy to not only myself but to my clients. The most rewarding part of the long hours, stressful days, standing on my feet for 12+ hours (some nights). Is that at the end of it all I get to present this beautiful, unique, and custom artwork to my client(s). I pride myself on selling “Art You Can Eat” – we all eat with our eyes anyways, so why not make it look like a piece of art!

In the spirit of selling my own art, I wanted to teach all the Instagram & tik-tok “scrollers” how to create the things they were seeing on the screen. I started teaching classes because I love seeing my student’s reactions to creating their own works of art (that they can EAT). Seeing them take intangible objects seen on their screens and making them tangible. Just like a good recipe, there are many ingredients and steps needed to make edible creations. I’m the artist that helps you learn and perfect that recipe… and we also drink wine!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I graduated from culinary school in 2011 at the Art Institute of Houston. I jumped around different bakeries on the East Coast learning from amazing and experienced decorators, until finding roots in Lubbock, Texas where I was in an amazing bakery for nearly 5 years. I went from being just a cake decorator, to the head decorator, manager, and even started my class teaching journey. After losing my uncle, I took a step back from everything and decided I wanted to live more and work less… so I started traveling. After 3 years, I moved closer to home and have since then made New Braunfels my “Home Sweet Home.” I don’t believe anything worth having is obtained easily. There have been many, many, difficult decisions along the road but each one has come with a lesson. As long as you look for the silver lining, you can always look back on the hardest times and know it was worth it.

Take COVID-19 for example – I launched emerald Whisk Studio in January of 2020 and had no clue of the longevity of what was coming! After some reorganization and talking with my amazing mentor and support system, I was able to create a path for emerald Whisk to be a successful and well-known brand. I took the “given time” off to center my focus on what I wanted and who I wanted to be to this world. My dad always told me, “you can spend the time crying about it or you can spend that time fixing it!” That is something to this day I live by. Things do not and will not always go your “planned” way- thanks Murphy’s Law.

The biggest take away I want the world to know is to “STAY TRUE!” Stay true to yourself and what you believe in! I have created my success by being my most authentic self. I stumble over my words; I have good days and I have bad, but at the end of the day… I am human. Creating relationships with my clients and not just calling them “customers” solidifies they are the most important thing to your success.

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.
We are the river town ruled by the many River Kings and Queens. Being in New Braunfels allows me so many options North and South of the Two Rivers. A float day is absolutely necessary when visiting – first two stops on the way to the river are one, Bucees for those sweet, sweet floating fixings, like beef jerky. Second, is my favorite to-go margarita place, Roc-N-Ritas! What’s a river float without a drink in your hand? There are tons of amazing float companies in the area, such as the Float-In and Rockin’ R River Rides. Floats take anywhere from 4-6 hours depending on water levels and speed of the water. This is my personal favorite thing to do because I get to completely turn off my brain, turn up the music and float in the good vibes and sunshine. Top it off by heading to Whitewater Ampitheater for some dancing!

A few other amazing places around the area would have to be our delicious and unique food, like Muck N Fuss! We are also a German town so a biergarten is a must – Krause’s serves up delicious brats, schnitzels, or my personal favorite Bavarian pretzels! And after, we can swing by the oldest bakery in Texas, grab something sweet and walk around the gorgeous downtown area to do a little shopping, The Local being one of my personal favorites. Or even a haunted tour through the Faust Hotel.

And lastly, check out the beautiful town of Gruene, my favorite shop being the Gruene Antique Company where they have BINS of old records that need a little dusting off! And of course, spend the night dancing and boot scooting to so local artist, or even some of the bigger names at the oldest dance hall in Texas, Gruene Hall!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout would have to go to the amazing and supportive friends and family that have been with me since the beginning. I would love to highlight my Momma Bear – she has helped get me through culinary school, when I was having to type up recipes and costing forms for my Capstone Final. And she has been there through countless phone calls, even just to be the sound board for new ideas, struggles, and celebrations. She plans to one day retire and work alongside me… as long as she doesn’t have to wear a uniform. I love you more than Chocolate Chip cookies Momma!

Website: www.emeraldwhisktx.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/emeraldwhisk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/EmeraldWhisk

Image Credits
All my own photos