The Cookie Lady expands her expertise into Small Treasures

Gayle Brandes, of Sedalia, aka the Cookie Lady, has been cooking up tasty dishes for area folk for 10 years, but over the last few months she’s decided to expand her expertise.

 “I found out recently, I’m not a sit-down girl. My strengths are my love for cooking and my love for people and children,” she said. “And, as always, I treasure my recipes as much as my friends.”

Her odyssey in cooking began years ago by having friends over for dinner. She’d cook a meal and package up food for them to take home afterward. Word began to circulate about her delicious meals, cookies and desserts and the requests began flowing in.

Recently, she’s given her catering business a name, Small Treasures, and has also decided to offer a once-a-month cooking class.

“I would like to have a fellowship with women once a month and have a cooking night and exchange recipes,” she said. “A lot of women don’t know how to cook. I come from a long line of cooks, my mother and both of my grandmothers taught me how to cook.”

Brandes caters weddings, birthdays, holiday parties and other affairs. In the past, she’s catered and hosted a Christmas party for John Knorp, of Plaza Pharmacy.     

“Three years ago, I went in and did appetizers and foods, smoked turkey and pork verde, a cheese tray, and cookies and pumpkin cake and won tons,” said Brandes.

She’s also catered birthday cakes for Dr. Doug Kiburz’s office.

“My biggest honor was to stamp the Capitol on my chocolate chip cookies for the Chamber in Jeff City.”

Brandes not only caters food for functions, but can host them if need be, and is considering cooking and carrying in food for the elderly.   

 
Her meal plans are tailored for each occasion but she is known for making Mexican and Italian food such as hamburger, steak or chicken enchiladas, grilled tequila/lime chicken and lasagna.

Home-cooked soups and quiches are popular as well as her appetizers — won tons, smokies wrapped in bacon, spinach and artichoke dip and cocktail meatballs and her loaded mashed potato casserole.

And, just as her nickname implies. she makes chocolate chip as well as other types of cookies. Desserts consist of a rich chocolate Butterfinger cake, a pumpkin cake with cream cheese icing and an ice cream cake. Cookies sell for $5.50 a dozen and cakes go for $25. Catering prices vary according to the number of people and the menu.

A very spiritual person, Brandes not only loves cooking for others but wants to be an inspiration to them.

“Caring is a big word,” she said. “I mean it when I say that, I mean it with all my heart. That’s what it takes to have friendships in life, love, honesty and caring.     

“People need to learn that you can go to school for everything but if you don’t have those three main things... I feel with all my heart that it’s one of the main tools in life.”

Those interested in Small Treasures Catering can call Brandes at 660-287-4571.

Gayle’s Won Tons

1 package won ton wrappers

1 sweet red pepper, diced

1 sweet green pepper, diced

2 pounds sausage

3 cups Colby Jack cheese, grated

3 cups sharp Cheddar cheese, grated

1 cup ranch dressing

Fry sausage and drain; let cool. Add onion, peppers, cheeses and dressing. Put wrapper in mini muffin pan, fill with sausage mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 to 10 minutes.

Recipe source: Gayle Brandes