Hi Romi, we are very happy to welcome you to our Pickmotion family! First, would you like to introduce yourself? Who are you, where do you come from, where do you live now? Tell us a bit about your personal background!
I am also very happy to be a part of PICKMOTION!
My name is Romi Connell ( @romiconnell ), I am 37 years old and I have been a pastry chef for 15 years. I live in Argentina, in a city called La Plata. I am an entrepreneur and a mother.
I love inspiring others through my baked goods. I enjoy coming up with creative sweets and sharing them with my community on Instagram. I also love teaching, so I share recipes and tips so others can also grow and get better in this beautiful world of baking.
You taught yourself to bake the most beautiful cakes - that's so impressive! When did you decide that you wanted to be a pastry chef?
I studied architecture because it was a family tradition, but 10 subjects before graduating and after a deep crisis of fear and sadness, I realized that architecture was not what made me happy. So I decided to give up everything and follow my calling to create the life of my dreams.
That's why I believe doing what we love is the key to living the life we want. It took me years to discover my passion, but at the same time I know it was the right decision to appreciate what I have today and show myself that with work and love for passion, dreams come true. Today I have the honor of speaking to you and it's all part of this path I've taken.
Your Instagram feed is filled with delicious looking cakes and sweets! When and why did you decide to share your creations on Instagram?
I opened my Instagram account in 2013 and started sharing my sweets and creations there to sell more cakes. I've evolved and improved my photos and camera over time. Today I have a mini studio that I use to create content and record classes. I love sharing my creative baking!
What inspires you and why?
I think the most important thing is to change your perspective and allow yourself to look beyond things, fashion and what is common today to create your own identity in your work. That's why I find inspiration everywhere.
I can be inspired by nature, colors, fashion and art. If I see a painting, I might use it as a template for a cake or a table full of sweets.
What does your creative process look like? Do you plan your pictures in advance or do they come about spontaneously?
I can be very planned and thoughtful when creating my photos, but also very spontaneous. If the general idea is a photo production, I think about the colors, scenes and backgrounds I want to use, so in this case the process is much more thoughtful. But if I have to deliver pastries for a client, this product photography is very spontaneous and natural, because when working with food the process is more delicate and has to be done on location.
You obviously love baking, but do you also have a sweet tooth? What is your favorite snack?
I love sweets, but I also like salty snacks, but it's not my favorite food. I love brownies in all shapes and sizes and also an Argentinian dessert that translates to rice pudding in English. It reminds me of my grandmother, who was my inspiration and the first person in my family to approach gastronomy.
Your pastries always look so dreamy and sweet! How did you develop your style and how do you come up with your design ideas?
I always say that identity evolves over time. Today, after 15 years of baking, I can say that I have found my identity. When I look at my Instagram feed and when I create sweets, I can see that there are guidelines that build this identity, that a cake is mine and not someone else's. But along the way, I tried all the techniques, colors and motifs and I didn't find my style at first. It was not an easy path, there are things that I still remember today but can't even look at anymore (laughs). But that helped me define myself and that's why today I know what I like and what I don't. That defines us as a brand.
Do you have a favorite photo on your Instagram feed? Can you tell us the story behind it?
I have many favorite photos, but the candy tables I make for my kids are undoubtedly in the top 10, as well as any that were a challenge for me.
In August 2017, we set up a table full of sweets for my son Valentin for his first birthday. It was a personal and professional challenge, such a preparation is always long and stressful. We moved thousands of things: decorations, sweets, dishes, everything. It was a journey of more than 8 hours! When I got home, I looked at him and realized that all this was not for him, but for me, so that I could tell him through my sweets how much I love him.
Baking is an act of love and dedication like no other. It is rewarding and I recommend everyone to challenge themselves in their profession because they are their own biggest competition. Taking on new projects fills my soul because it allows us to continue to grow and renew our love for our profession.
How do you feel about your Instagram community? Do you communicate with them a lot? Have you met some people from there?
My community is wonderful, we always help each other! I have met countless people in my personal courses and also many others through social networks. Many of them are like friends. Thanks to my digital courses and the courses I recorded with CREHANA, my community has expanded to other countries. Currently 30% of my followers come from other cultures, which I find really exciting!
Can you tell us about some of your favorite Instagrammers who inspire you?
I am inspired by Jenna Rae Cakes , Imakestagram , Obed Marshall , Hey.Maca , abeautifulmess .
Do you still enjoy sending and receiving postcards?
I love getting postcards! I think it's a beautiful tradition that shouldn't be lost. I also always keep the postcards that my friends and family send me on their travels.
Did you know Pickmotion before our collaboration? If so, how did you find out about us?
No, I didn't know you before.
I am very happy that you on the other side of the world have taken an interest in my work and included me in your project. It is an honor to have been invited by you! I hope we can continue to work together.
Would you like to share a little story or anecdote with us at the end? Tell us whatever comes to mind!
When I decided to leave architecture school at 25 (I was about to graduate), I was full of doubts, with more fears than certainties, but as soon as I enrolled in the profession of pastry chef, I felt happy. I remember saying to my mother: "Everyone is happy here," and without a doubt, joy began to rise within me. That was the first time I felt like I belonged somewhere and I really wanted to be there. That's why the most important message I want to give to anyone reading this interview is to do what you love and believe in your dream because no one else will do it for you.
With hard work, dedication and commitment, everything will turn out well. Thanks for reading!
A magical cake by @romiconnell can also be found on our Pickmotion magnets ! Perfect for holding shopping lists, photos or postcards. You can find the magnet in our shop!
Pickmotion magnet with @romiconnells motif!
