About Big Easy Cookie Company
Born to Bake
Proprietor Michelle Barton was born and raised in a family of entrepreneurs. Michelle’s great grandfather Luke Hidalgo owned the first bakery in Opelousas, Louisiana in the early 1900’s and her grandfather Iris continued running this bakery for many years after his father’s passing. Her grandparents Al & Mildred operated a homestyle breakfast and lunch restaurant in San Francisco’s financial district between 1950’s - 1970’s. My nephew presently in his early 30’s is a well-known and award winning chef and restauranter in New Orleans/Mandeville.
“My grandparents were a huge influence on my life . . . they taught me the love of baking, food, and family. Many of my brothers, cousins, nieces and nephews are also entrepreneurs and some are self-taught chefs.”
“I began baking at age 10 by reading cookbooks from cover to end (there was no internet, videos or blogs.) Self-taught, I made souffles, cream puffs, eclairs, cookies, breads, cinnamon rolls, homemade cakes, donuts and candy. Baking wasn’t always as planned - one day in the school cafeteria my brother Brad bet friends .25 cents they could not break a cookie from a recent (obviously) failed batch. Baking life has had some failures and many successes as I went on to accomplish my dream of owning a bakery. While I was an at home baker most of my life (baking treats for family and friends), I began Big Easy Cookie Co. in 2010 to fulfill my dream of combining my passion for baking desserts with my southern roots.”
“I love my family and growing up I was also inspired by my dad and five brothers. My father Jerry through his life was a grill master (even though he burned down his fence twice); my brother Tim is an amazing cook, I love his delicious gumbo; Brad (1960-2006) an amazing home chef and loved to cook and share the fish he caught; Kevin (1961-2012) always the king of crawfish boils (mega spicy); Jeff (marble/tile contractor) has so many hobbies - making fancy breads like brioche and delicious cakes and cookies, beekeeper (harvesting 8 gallons in ‘22), master gardener, foodie, diver, voracious reader, traveler and now . . . grasping the art of sailing; and Scott, a businessman, wonderful father, fabulous husband — well . . . baking is not his thing – but he loves loves sweets — especially my ooey gooey cakes.”
- Michelle - Big Easy Cookie Co.
Michelle and Mom, Wanda, my biggest fan.