Chez Moi's March Madness in North Carolina

DURHAM, N.C. - Feb. 27, 2014 - PRLog -- CHEZ MOI’s March Madness

A Baking Renaissance…Experience the Awakening!

DURHAM, NC (February 2014) – On March 23, 2013, Chez Moi hit the streets of Durham for the first time with the launch of its food truck at Fullsteam Brewery. Less than a year later, Rhonda L. Jones, the creative force behind the brand, is in the running for another big win as a Top 100 finalist in the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest!

The contest featured more than 5,000 applicants, and more than 1.4 million votes were cast. The next step will be the selection of the ten ultimate winners on March 24, 2014 -- including one grand prize winner, four first-place winners and five second-place winners.

Out of those 100 finalists, only ONE is from North Carolina – Durham’s own Chez Moi Bakery!!

Rhonda said she entered the contest for a chance to grow her product line. Always an innovator, she is working on shelf stable products, a dessert sauce and a baking mix.

“I define success in moments … just individual experiences,” she told FedEx as part of her contest entry. “There will always be additional things I'd like to achieve, but each day if I get to know one more person enjoyed my product or can see a glimpse of my vision and appreciate what I'm doing ... that's success to me!”

To say that Rhonda has had a successful year is an understatement. She has participated in food truck rodeos and events across the state and has broadened the scope of her deliveries to as far away as Afghanistan.

And those soldiers experienced the awakening just as so many others have before them. It is a sense of euphoria that starts with the first bite.

“It is so good,” the soldiers shared. “We are eating small pieces so we can make it last. I can't believe how moist it is.”

In business since 2005, the specialty baker also creates desserts for restaurants, caterers, hospitality, corporate and private functions. At present, she has clients throughout the Triangle and is on the rise for continued expansion.

Rhonda draws inspiration from her memories of baking with her mother as a child. That inspiration and some extra rum after a vacation in the Grand Caymans led to a small online business that has grown from just a website for holiday orders to supplying local businesses and now to a dessert truck.

“FedEx makes it easy for me to process my shipments and track their delivery status,” she added in her entry essay. Like her mother, Rhonda’s products contain a lot of love – and no preservatives. Quick delivery via FedEx makes a big difference.

She recommends refrigeration, but the cakes are best served at room temperature. They have a refrigerated shelf life of two weeks and two months frozen, but they usually do not last two days because they are so delectable.

To see the list of FedEx finalists, go to: https://smallbusiness.fedex.com/top-100.html.

An active social media user, Rhonda used tweets and posts to Facebook and Pinterest to lobby for votes. Follow her experiences with Chez Moi on Twitter: @ChezMoiBakery. Like the bakery on Facebook: www.facebook.com/chezmoibakery. Follow Chez Moi’s Pins: http://www.pinterest.com/chezmoibakery. Or contact her directly!

Rhonda L. Jones can be reached at (919) 824-2610; Rhonda@chezmoi-bakery.com; or www.iloverumcake.com Chez Moi, Durham, NC 27707