From Cookie Business to Bakery Dreams: How Kevian O’Quinn Is Building Her Future at NOCHI

When Kevian O’Quinn started selling homemade treats in high school, she was simply looking for a way to earn extra money. What she didn't expect was that those first batches of cookies would spark a passion that would shape her future.

Today, Kevian is a graduate of the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute's (NOCHI) Spring 2026 Baking & Pastry Arts program and the owner of K's Loaded Chocolate Chip Cookies. With a growing business already underway, she came to NOCHI with a clear goal: sharpen her skills, expand her menu, and prepare to one day open her own bakery.

Turning a Side Hustle Into a Career

As Kevian's customer base grew, so did her ambition. She realized baking was more than a hobby, it was the career she wanted to pursue.

"I already had a baking business," she says. "I wanted to expand what I was doing."

When searching for culinary schools, NOCHI stood out for its accelerated six-month Baking & Pastry Arts program.

"The length of the program made it the best fit."

Instead of spending years in school, Kevian was able to gain professional training while continuing to build the foundation for her business.

Learning the Science Behind Baking

While Kevian already knew how to create treats her customers loved, NOCHI helped her understand why recipes work.

Her favorite part of the program?

"Learning the science behind everything."

Understanding ingredient functions, baking chemistry, and professional techniques has given her the confidence to improve recipes, troubleshoot challenges, and develop new menu items with intention.

For aspiring bakery owners, that technical knowledge can make all the difference between a good recipe and a consistently exceptional product.

Growing Through Challenges

Coming to culinary school immediately after graduating high school wasn't always easy.

"I'm not really a school person," Kevian admits. "Pushing myself to show up every day was probably the biggest challenge."

But each day she chose to keep going, she grew more confident in both her abilities and her commitment to her future.

She also found something she wasn't expecting: a community that genuinely wanted her to succeed.

"I was surprised by how helpful everyone was, both the other students and the staff."

That supportive environment helped transform what could have been an intimidating experience into one filled with encouragement, collaboration, and growth.

Building the Bakery She's Always Imagined

Although opening a storefront bakery is the long-term goal, Kevian is taking a thoughtful approach.

For now, she's focused on growing K's Loaded Chocolate Chip Cookies, expanding her menu, and perfecting every product she offers.

Her vision is to eventually open her own bakery in Georgia before bringing a second location to New Orleans, a city that helped shape her journey as a pastry professional.

With the technical skills she gained at NOCHI and the entrepreneurial drive that launched her business in high school, Kevian is well on her way.

Her story is a reminder that sometimes the best business ideas start with a single recipe, a little determination, and the willingness to keep learning.

Start Your Culinary Journey at NOCHI

Whether you're launching a food business, changing careers, or turning a lifelong passion into a profession, NOCHI's accelerated Baking & Pastry Arts program provides the hands-on training, industry knowledge, and supportive community to help you succeed.

Like Kevian, your next step could be the one that turns your dream into a career.