(Food-Beverage-News.Com, August 23, 2012 ) Detroit, MI -- Local food service entrepreneur, Kevin Green, purchased a bakery in 2010 with a dream to take a 75-year-old recipe for carrot cake, and make it world famous. Green is on a mission to make Detroit, the future home of his business, the carrot cake capital of the world. Detroit is famous for its cars, Motown Records, famous sports teams…but carrot cake? Green hopes so.
Green’s dream began when he met baker extraordinaire, Bill Knofsky, of Harper Woods. Knofsky had established himself as a world-class baker in the Detroit area for over 30 years. He had been in and around Detroit bakeries since he was 8-years old and has owned several business. He started his first bakery, Sugar Sweet Donuts, in 1987 and in 1995 he purchased the old Quick-Pic donut factory, a strictly wholesale bakery offering donuts, Danish and muffins. As owner of the minority certified business, Knofsky employed 38 people, 35 of which were African American. Sales were great until he was forced to close the doors after 9/11.
Green, who had been general manager of a Popeye’s restaurant where Knofsky held business meetings, teamed up with Knofsky in 2004 and started a full line bakery in Eastpointe called Wholley Molleys.
Wholley Molleys featured hand-cut donuts, mouth-watering cookies, cupcakes and many other fine pastries, but their piece de resistance was their “sinfully divine” carrot cake. Many of Knofsky’s and Green’s customers told them that they had the best carrot cake in the world.
According to the Wholley Molley’s website www.whollymolley.com , Knofsky began hanging around the bakery where his mother worked when he was eight-years old and his neighbor, Hilma Gilbert, took note of his love of baking and took him under her wing. She taught him everything she knew about baking and shared several secrets with him including the 75-year old recipe for her carrot cake. Their friendship blossomed and lasted for over 30 years until her death in 1995.
Many times over the years, Knofsky vowed to make his mentor’s carrot cake world famous and set out to do so. Miss Hilma’s “Sinfully Devine” Carrot Cake became the signature item in the bakery and was well on its way to becoming word famous until Knofsky was injured in a roll-over accident and was disabled and unable to continue in the bakery business. Green purchased Knofsky’s half of the business in 2010, but sadly Wholley Molley’s had to close its doors… but not forever.
Green is reviving Knofsky ’s legacy and plans to open a new Wholley Molleys in Midtown Detroit soon. He has raised all but $50,000 of the $300,000 start-up cost and hopefully will have the remainder after he wins the 2012 Hatch Detroit contest. The contest is open to entrepreneurs like Green who wish to make a difference in the revitalization of Detroit and the winner will be determined by public voting.
The ten finalists for the Hatch Detroit Contest will be announced on August 29th and voting begins on September 10th and ends September 17th to determine the four finalists. Finalists will be announced on September 19th. Voters will be able to meet the four finalists at the Hatch Off event and cast their final vote. The $50,000 winner will be announced September 27th at 5 PM. Green hopes to be that winner...
Wholley Molley’s specializes in hand-cut donuts, award-winning nut-free carrot cakes, mouth-watering cookies , cupcakes and other fine pastries. They plan to make Detroit the “Carrot Cake Capital of the World” with their Miss Hilma’s Sinfully Divine Baked Goods. For more information visit: http://www.wholleymolley.com/Wholleyupdate/index.html.
Contact:
Kevin Green, owner
Detroit, MI
Email: kevin_green_d@yahoo.com
Phone: 248-850-0193
This press release was submitted by Right Now Marketing Group, LLC
