Bundt-tastic: Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Feb 2
- 4 min read
At the January West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce meeting, we celebrated the First Responder of the Year Recognition Luncheon. Over 200 people attended. It was a joyous celebration and an opportunity for us to show our appreciation of First Responders.
I attended the meeting with Nikki Carey of One Table STL. She came as a guest, and we decided to meet other guests together. That was great fun. I realized that I was sticking way too close to the people I already knew. Relying on established contacts and friends for introductions as well as talking with the people at my table each month.
Nikki made it easy to reach out to others; she is friendly, outgoing, and enthusiastic about what she does. She engages others easily and I had a great time meeting more new people than I had met in a long time.
It was a celebratory mood, and everyone was friendly, happy to be at the Chamber lunch and excited about the program.
One of the first things I noticed when I walked into the room were the mini bundt cakes, or bundtinis. There was one at every place setting making the room even more festive. Yes, I did notice this almost immediately as I have a keen sense for chocolate, sugar, and baked goods. Sort of a homing device for goodies. I can spot them anywhere and everywhere. And often do.
When Nikki and I began chatting with a group of people at the next table, Lindsey Ramsey walked by and I saw her name tag. Nothing Bundt Cakes. While Nikkie was speaking to someone else, without thinking, I said to Lindsey, “I have a sugar story.”
Without missing a beat, she asked what it was.
I realized I was not thinking this through as I began to relay the sugar story.
“I’m a sugar snob. Years ago, when Nothing Bundt Cakes arrived in St. Louis I was somewhere and they had the cakes which I tried. Honestly, I didn’t like it at all. I’m extremely specific about my sugar. I couldn’t tell you why, just that I wasn’t interested. I haven’t tried once since. Then about two weeks ago I was at a lovely brunch with incredible women, and one walked in with a box from Nothing Bundt Cakes. I thought to myself, well, I won’t be having that, luckily, I have homemade peppermint bark at my house when I get home. When it came time for dessert, the hostess handed the cakes to another guest and asked her to cut them up. We had four bundtlets. We passed the plate around, and I decided to try them.”
Here I stopped and looked at Lindsey with giant eyes.
“They were amazing!!!! Incredible!!! How did I miss these?” I asked her.
She laughed, and asked, “What flavors?
“Red velvet, vanilla raspberry, and chocolate. The plate stopped across from me and I had seconds. Lindsey, these are so good!!!”
We both had a good laugh. “I’m hooked. Where are the stores and what other flavors?”
She told me there was a store in Town and Country and Brentwood and they were all owned by Janette Neely, who owns seven locations throughout St. Louis and Columbia, Missouri. “One of our newer flavors is Biscoff cookie butter cake and we can’t keep it in the stores!”
“Lindsey, my birthday is tomorrow and the mini bundts on the table are so cute. Makes the room. If there’s an extra cake at my table, I’m going to nab it for later! And I’ll help you clean up just in case there are extras!”
She laughed again and said, “I brought boxes.”
After a healthy lunch, meeting new Chamber members and guests, table networking and our presentation, there were indeed a number of bundtinis left at the tables. I picked one of two up smiling at anyone noticing and said, “Lindsey said I could do this!” I ended up sharing the dozen little bundts with friends and staff at Life Time (yes, a gym!)
Here’s what I learned at the January Chamber meeting. First, and most importantly, just because a baked good isn’t up to my standards, I owe it to the baked good and myself to give it a second chance.
Secondly, I need to get OUT of my comfort zone in comfortable situations. I joined the Chamber for many reasons, (Lori Kelling and Heather Zerweck two of the reasons) including and most relevant to network and meet new people. I work on my own, for this reason alone I need to get out of my yoga clothes, get dressed, leave my house and workspace and talk to other humans about my work.
Third, to hear about other people’s work. To witness their enthusiasm and care for what they do. I love hearing these stories. People are doing SUCH good work.
Fourth, to hear more about what is going on in the community. Who is doing what kind of work. How we are all helping people. Bringing positive energy to West County. And how we can help each other.
Fifth, the way to the Nothing Bundt Cake shop.
Nikki Carey inspired me to meet new people at the Chamber meeting, and I thank her for this reminder.
And thank you to the first responders-every single one of them we celebrated at the First Responder of the Year Recognition Luncheon. When the recipient’s bios were read, I looked at the people at my table and said, “I’m not doing enough!” What they do FOR us every single day is remarkable. Thank you, Lori, Heather, and the West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce for the opportunity to say thank you.
Expect Good. Defy Gravity. Sparkle ON! Have a bundt-tastic day. And if you have the opportunity, thank a First Responder.
For more St. Louis Girl Storytelling blogs and St. Louis Girl Podcasts and Interviews and to find out how I empower people to discover and use their voice through storytelling:
Nicole Carey, Co-Founder & President One Table STL: www.onetablestl.org
One Table STL is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through hands-on cooking, nutrition education, and life-skills programming. Our mission is to provide a safe, inclusive environment where participants build confidence, independence, and community through food.
At One Table STL, we believe cooking is more than a skill, it is a pathway to autonomy, self-expression, and connection. By teaching practical, repeatable meals, and foundational nutrition concepts, we help participants gain tools they can carry into their everyday lives.
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