Sweet Mama's Cookies, a local, home-based cookie company, will be hosting a Mommy and Me cookie decorating class at Sidewalk Coffee and Bagel Co., located at 20784 E. Victoria Lane in Queen Creek, from May 31 to June 1.
Owned by Queen Creek resident Tehani Toalei, the event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. and tickets costs $55 per pair and $25 per additional person. All materials will be provided by Toalei and attendees will be creating four floral-themed cookies; in addition, they'll be learning techniques such as flooding, outlining and decorating with Royal icing.
Toalei started Sweet Mama's Cookies back in 2020 when she decided she didn't want to leave her 2 month old and return to work in education.
"I am fully self-taught and learning more every day," said Toalei. "I started to perfect the perfect sugar cookie and Royal icing recipe and then practiced my skills for over a month before posting a pre-sale for my first Valentine's Day set."
Since then, Toalei has gone on to host numerous cookie decorating classes, first at a small collective shop space called Faire Lane and most recently at Sidewalk Coffee and Bagel Co.
Toalei said she has been hosting classes at the Sidewalk location since October of 2022 and tries to host a few classes a month there, depending on what her schedule allows. She said the owner of Sidewalk Cafe is amazing and it makes teaching classes there very enjoyable. It's a convenient, close location for Toalei and her family, who have lived in Queen Creek since 2010. She has seen so much growth, including at Sidewalk Coffee and Bagel Co.
"We will probably forever be Queen Creek people," said Toalei.
In addition to the cookie decorating classes, she teaches and also offers cookie decorating kits, handmade cookies for pickup and themed sets for holidays and special events. She also often participates in local fairs to sell her cookies and kits and loves helping people celebrate.
"I love any reason to celebrate personally, and enjoy making things 'extra,'" said Toalei. "Being a part of so many people's celebrations is so special."
Making cookies and teaching classes is also a great way for her to relax. With three kids under 3, it gives her an outlet to do something she enjoys while bringing joy to others.
"The actual cookie decorating is so therapeutic for me," Toalei said. "I enjoy being creative in that aspect."
If you'd like to sign up for Toalei's Mommy and Me decorating class or see her work, follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/sweetmamascookies or on Instagram.
