As we enter “Pie” season, we cannot think of anyone better to introduce than Bobbi!! She not only runs our entire Bakery & Kitchen Department but also a Guilford native and business owner! Growing up on the northern side of Guilford, she was part of Guilford High School Class of 1988. After her graduation, she enrolled at Southern Connecticut State University where she studied Business Administration & Management. Immediately after receiving her degree, she married her high school sweetheart Christian in 1992! That following January they had their first son Christian!
For years, she worked off and on managing her father’s local business. During this time she had their second son, Brandon, in 1996. Bobbi and her husband worked a lot to provide for their family, but always made commute and convenience a huge factor in their full-time jobs. They always made time for their kids’ activities, classroom involvement and time to travel. In 2004 Bobbi and Chris had their youngest, Linnea. During their kids’ childhood, she worked for ten years as the Area Manager for a local business. The family of four loved spending so much time with each other, forming a special bond within their extra curricular activity… Martial Arts/Tae Kwon Do/Hapkido.
Bobbi’s husband had always had a background in Martial arts from Guilford educator, John Cuddy. Everyone quickly became involved, leading Chris to take the leap and start their family business, Evolution Martial Arts in Guilford. From 2001-2018 the business continued to grow, opening another location/school in Durham in 2006. During this time, Bobbi became a second degree black belt and had their daughter Linnea in 2004. Shortly after Linnea was born, Bobbi joined Bishop’s Orchards as the Assistant Bakery Manager, working for 5th generation Bishop, Diane Van der Grinten. “Born and raised in Guilford, raising our family here and working for my family’s business and eventually owning my own, instills a whole new meaning to local pride. It was for this reason that I wanted to work for another local family business,” says Bobbi.
While working with Diane, Bobbi was thrown into everything from fundraisers and seasonal orders, to baked goods and prepared foods. Over the years, these departments grew tremendously to include a whole line of grab n’ go prepared foods, sandwiches, salads, parfaits and more! In 2011, Bobbi was promoted to the Food Production Manager, running the entire Bakery & Kitchen department. So much has happened since she first started leading the department. Bishop’s now has a full ice cream line, carrying plenty of fun flavors, sorbets and ice cream sandwiches. Grab n’ go meals have grown to now carry pre-cut fruit, stuffed breads, crockpot and grill meals and more.
Bobbi credits her staff for all the department’s growth and accomplishments! “I try to treat my staff as if they are extended family, hosting gatherings outside of work such as movie nights, cookouts and holidays parties! Without these individuals the department would not be as successful as it is. It is important for me to show them my appreciation at work and outside of work.” The creativity that stems from our Bakery & Kitchen is never ending, with new ideas and additions always coming out! Always keep checking back in for new recipes, fun ice cream flavors, delicious pastries, party platters and more!