New bakery opening in Chelsea

Folks in Chelsea with a craving for fresh baked goods will soon have a solution for their taste buds.

Tee’s Cakes and Pastries is soon to open in Benson Plaza, 100 Chelsea Corner Way. Co-owner Eddie Herrod said they are “pushing hard” for an early November opening.

“Tee” is Eddie Herrod’s nickname for his wife, Theresa, whose 30 years of baking experience will be the focal point of the couple’s shop, a longtime dream.

“This is what we really want, there is a need for it here and I want to show people what I can do,” Theresa said. “I know my work is good, so why not work for myself?”

Residents of Chelsea for 10 years, the Herrods are originally from the Birmingham area and have four grown daughters and eight grandchildren.

“We all just love Chelsea and we wanted to work closer to home, so it worked out really well,” she said.

Unlike many accomplished culinary professionals, Theresa didn’t learn the baking basics as a youngster in her mother’s kitchen.

“I started out at Vincent’s Market, getting my experience from a pastry chef from Switzerland, and then I went on to several bakeries including Bruno’s, Walmart and Publix,” she said. “I always loved creating and baking at home for my kids and husband to test. And, as it turned out, everything I make is good.”

Patrons of Tee’s will have a wide variety of those “good” baked goods to chose from, including cakes, pies, cookies and wedding, birthday and anniversary cakes, she said.

“My lemon cake is really good, and we’ll have several flavors of cakes and cupcakes,” Theresa said. “Everything will be baked on-site, plus we’ll also offer sandwiches and salads for carry out or dining in.”

Eddie Herrod said that while he won’t be whipping up petit fours, he will stay busy with the couple’s new venture, providing a delivery service for surrounding areas, including 280.

Eddie, who recently retired from his position as facility manager for Gateway to partner with his wife, said the business has been a longtime goal.

“I wanted us to own our own business, too, and provide a one-stop shop for baked goods,” Eddie said. “I don’t bake myself, but everybody has a role, and mine is to assist Tee.”

His favorite Tee creation?

“The pecan pies that will come in small, medium and large sizes,” he said. “The recipe’s my mother’s, and Tee took it and ran with it. It’s really good.”

Eddie, who attended Lawson State Community and Bessemer State Technical Colleges, majoring in fashion design, will also supply the shop with ascot and bow tie sets for grooms and groomsmen, he said.

Asked if the couple is able to take any time out of their hectic schedules for hobbies, Eddie said they are very active in their church.

“And we both love to shop, to shop together and to dress well,” he said. “After all, you want to look really nice when you go to church.”