Customer profle -- True Confections
True Confections was a pioneer in the Grove Arcade when it was reborn early this decade,
though for years before, owner Carole Miller had been dreaming about her own shop.
After graduating from Miami University with a degree in nutrition, and the
Culinary Institute of America in 1982, she worked in a number of southern cities before
moving in 1988 to Asheville where again she worked in various kitchens, including Blue Moon
(now City Bakery) and Richmond Hill Inn.
By the mid-90's and after more than 20 years in other peoples' kitchens, she was more than ready for her own dream, and True Confections finally became a reality in January of 2003.
All the baked goods are made in her shop, from scratch, and from all natural ingredients with no artificial flavorings or shortenings. (I can't even get her to use Melipone Vanilla in the Toddy iced coffee because it has some artificial components.) A couple of favorites of my family are the coconut/currant scones and the sinfully good sour cream chocolate cake that has been featured in many birthday celebrations. Carole uses local sources whenever she can, and in season, you may find raspberries from her own garden in the pies, or fresh flowers from her yard on the counter.
Our freshly roasted coffees complement Carole's baking. Her house coffees are natural
process Ethiopia Sidamos, and the selection -- just regular and decaf -- is purposely kept simple so
they are always freshly brewed. The cold-brewed iced coffee has been especially popular this unusually hot
summer. There is an extensive menu of espresso drinks, from straight shots of espresso
to lattes, cappuccinos, americanos, and mochas.
Carole sums up the philosophy of True Confections best:
The vision I had in the beginning, and still have now, is to make everything fresh and all natural with the highest quality ingredients I can find.
Where the Good Things Are at True Confections -- in the display cases -- that's Kim behind the counter. The mural on the wall at upper right by local artist Heather Gordon is a whimsical homage to Edward Hopper's People in the Sun.