From Boardroom Meetings to Buttery Confections
As the old adage goes, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life,” Shavanta Fowler is living his dream as a cookie creator extraordinaire and Owner/Pastry Chef of Sweet Tooth Society. A former healthcare operations manager in the pharmaceutical industry for 10 years, Fowler is now living the sweet life with his wife, Maggie, and their daughter in Fort Worth, Texas. The budding entrepreneur started his business in April and already transitioned to a commercial kitchen in October to help keep up with the robust orders.
Call him a tough cookie for leaving the corporate world to venture into the uncertain landscape of a start-up business, but he’s doing it, succeeding at it, and hasn’t had time to look back.
“I’ve always believed food has a way of telling stories, and mine started in a small kitchen, turning late-night cookie experiments into something that made people smile,” Fowler said. “What began as a creative outlet during a tough time, it grew into a purpose-driven bakery that celebrates connection through dessert.”
Cookies as a Way to Cope
When his wife suffered from postpartum depression, baking cookies gave them something to look forward to. Fowler said it kept them going during the late-night feedings and rocking their new baby back to sleep. As Georgia natives hailing from Macon, they left family and friends behind five years ago for job opportunities in Fort Worth.
“I grew up baking and learned traditional southern recipes from my grandma,” Fowler said. “Anything you could think of, she made it: Biscuits, sweet potato pie, chocolate cake, caramel sauce, the list goes on. She made all her frosting from scratch. I don’t think she ever made a cookie, but five years ago, I just started tailoring her recipes to the cookies.”
Customers will notice Fowler’s ode to grandma with his Stuffed Peach Cobbler Cookie, which is essentially a plated dessert in cookie form and is double the size of their other flavors. It features peach cobbler pieces baked into the dough along with walnuts and stuffed with a three-spice vanilla custard. If that wasn’t enough, it’s topped with a peach cobbler glaze and graham cracker garnish.
The Most Requested Gooey Treat
Chocolate lovers crave the Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie, Fowler’s best seller, which he describes as a “labor of love,” because it requires browning large amounts of butter to achieve a richer, almost caramel, and nutty flavor.
“I then have to whip it back to life and then add it into the dough while carefully managing the moisture content to ensure that perfect final texture,” he said.
Prior to his job in healthcare, Fowler worked as a sous chef in a Thai restaurant in Georgia. “That really sparked my love for food. And later, I would always tell my friends that I couldn’t wait to retire from healthcare and get back into food,” he commented. “I know that I’m making less money, but it’s what I love to do. It’s crazy that it’s all working out.”
Cookie-Stuffed Cambros
Cambro’s FreshPro CamRounds, CamSquares, and Camtrays keep Sweet Tooth Society’s operation running smoothly from ingredient storage to transport. “My Cambro containers are the backbone of every market setup and bakery day. They keep my doughs fresh, my tools organized, and my cookies protected during travel.”
Sweet Tooth Society takes orders online for pickup or delivery and offers nationwide shipping. Fowler also stays busy with catering events, restaurant partnerships, and pop-up markets. “I love watching someone take that first bite and light up!!” Fowler said. “It’s the best reminder of why I do this. Sweet Tooth Society lets me mix artistry, flavor, and hospitality into something that brings joy to my community.”
Author: Cynthia Connally is the Digital Communications Manager at Cambro.
