We recently had the chance to connect with Crissie Elep and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Crissie, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
From the top of my head the most recent moments that have made me laugh and feel proud are the moments I spend with my grandbabies!
I know every grandma will say this, but my grandbabies are the happiest, smartest, cutest babies ever.
If I don’t see them in person, they’ll FaceTime me throughout the day. When they come over- they have many requests of what I should bake for them. They are my favorite little taste testers, and all of my desserts are toddler approved!
My oldest grandbaby just turned 4 in August and for his birthday he requested a mocha cake with mocha Chantilly frosting and spiderman decor. This made me laugh because what almost 4 year old is requesting mocha Chantilly? It also makes me proud of how far I’ve come along with my baking, and I get to bake the classics for my family or try new recipes together! Either way I am making the most amazing memories with them.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Greetings! I’m Crissie Elep, the heart and hands behind Crissie’s Homemade. I specialize in bringing the vibrant and comforting flavors of authentic Filipino cuisine -food and desserts- to your table, crafted with passion and a whole lot of love.
My catering menu features beloved Filipino staples that are always a hit like crispy lumpia, hearty pancit, the iconic rich adobo, smoky- grilled to perfection Filipino bbq.
And no meal is complete without dessert! Indulge in my delicious homemade sweet treats. From Chantilly cakes featuring unique Filipino flavors like Ube, and Mango, to flavorful cheesecakes, delicate macarons, fluffy malasadas, and much more. There’s something to satisfy every sweet craving!
Crissie’s Homemade started from a simple desire: to bring more diverse, delicious food, especially a perfect Ube cake, to Colorado Springs. What began as a side passion quickly grew, fueled by incredible word-of-mouth from family and friends. Before I knew it, their encouragement convinced me to trade a 10+ year career in sales for the exciting pursuit of this dream. And just like that, Crissie’s Homemade was born!
Every dish and dessert that leaves my kitchen is crafted with immense love and intention. I’m dedicated to perfection in both taste and presentation. My greatest joy comes from bringing my customers’ visions to life, seeing their satisfied smiles with every first bite. From elegant weddings and lively birthdays to important company meetings and intimate family dinners, my aim is always to fill your bellies with unforgettable homemade goodness.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
If you ask who taught me the true meaning of work, it was my mama. Growing up in the Philippines, we didn’t have much – money wise. My mom was always working, she even traveled the world for months at a time, working so that she could send money back to us. And with my mom’s unwavering work ethic, one of the many things she taught us was how to prep and cook our native dishes, and to infuse them with love and purpose. I can remember as early as 8 years old, my mom making a huge freshly made pot of food, ready for us to carry out into the community and sell plates. That was one of the ways we hustled to get some extra income.
Clearly her lessons took root as today, one of my sisters runs a beloved business in London, and I’ve built my own culinary venture here, both of us carrying on our Mama’s legacy through our passion for baking and cooking.
Now, with three children of my own – and my ever growing number of grandbabies , I will pass down those same invaluable principles: that with hard work, a resilient spirit, and the strength of family, anything is truly possible.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There was a time I thought about giving up, yes. I had a successful 10+ career in international sales when I started Crissies Homemade. Once word started spreading about my business, more and more orders started coming in and it started to turn into another full time job instead of a side gig. I started to feel overwhelmed and tired, I was working way too much and needed more time with family. I had to make a decision to either leave my stable career or finally take a chance and make Crissies Homemade official. I almost gave up pursuing this dream, it was definitely the scariest option. I felt like I would be venturing into the unknown. It was going to be new and a lot of hard work.
But I couldn’t let fear control my actions, I wasn’t truly happy in my career. Baking and cooking for others is where I’ve always found joy. I’m very happy with the decision I made.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
My children. I have 2 daughters and a son ages 30, 28, and 11. I can always count on them to tell me what desserts and flavors I need to try making next, or what designs I should try. They aren’t afraid to give me their honest feedback. They are my biggest critics but also my biggest supporters 🙂
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Ofcourse, integrity is very important. For example, praises and reviews help my business very much and It is always heartwarming to hear. But even without them, I wouldn’t give my customers any less. I make sure I put my all into everything. At the end of the day, it is also important that I am proud of what I’ve accomplished and what I stamp my name on.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Crissies.Homemade
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/CrissiesHomemade
