Today we’d like to introduce you to Janaya Felder.
Hi Janaya, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Some of my earliest memories are in our family kitchen in Greece. I remember watching the neighborhood yai-yais teach us how to make things like spanakopita and gnocchi, and was fascinated by the way good food brought everyone together.
When we moved back to the U.S., I was still too young to do much on my own. My mom would let me measure ingredients into the bread machine or help make tortillas, but most of my time was spent peeking over the counter, watching my older siblings bake and dreaming of the day I’d finally be able to do it all myself.
That opportunity came when I was about eleven. My older brother had always made elaborate birthday cakes for our family, and when he left for college, there was suddenly a shortage of homemade desserts. So I stepped up to the plate, pulled out an old Betty Crocker cookbook, and started teaching myself to bake.
From that point on, I was hooked. I loved the process just as much as the finished dessert. The smell of butter, sugar, and spices filling the kitchen, and the satisfaction of creating something with my own hands. That feeling of warmth and coziness is what first made me fall in love with baking, and it’s still what draws me back into the kitchen today.
Over the past six years, I’ve had the opportunity to grow in ways I never expected. I’ve experienced the excitement and pressure of going viral on TikTok several times, spent weekends setting up at markets around San Antonio, and met people face-to-face over something as simple as a cookie or mini cake.
Those experiences have helped me figure out my “why.” At the heart of everything I do, I simply love sharing what I create. Whether it’s through a recipe, a market, or a video online, my favorite part is watching food bring people together.
Today, my focus is on creating a space where people can slow down and reconnect with the warmth of the kitchen. I want to build community around that nostalgic feeling of watching something delicious come together, inspiring others to bake something new and reminding them that some of life’s most meaningful moments happen around a table with good food and good company.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life is unexpected. To quote Searows, “everything’s changed and I love it.” As uncomfortable and painful as life can be, I’ve learned to swim with its sorrows and sail with its sweetness.
I’ve had to adjust to new kitchens, new lighting, new routines, and new versions of myself. As much as I like to come across as calm and collected, there’s usually something churning around in my head. There have been seasons when it’s been difficult to find the energy to pour into my creative passions while simply trying to keep up with everyday life.
I’ve learned to take the pressure off myself to constantly perform or create. Instead, I’ve focused on simply living, trusting that creativity comes back when it’s ready.
For me, it always comes back in the kitchen. That’s where I feel the most grounded. The noise of the world—and my own mind—grows quiet, and I can lose myself in the familiar rhythm of measuring and mixing. Even though those moments are deeply personal, I often feel compelled to share them. That’s why my tripod is almost always nearby, capturing the quiet, cozy moments that bring me peace in the hope they might bring someone else a little comfort too.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a recipe developer, baker, and storyteller with a passion for creating recipes that feel as comforting as they are approachable. Through my blog and social media, I share seasonal desserts, cozy baking inspiration, and glimpses into the rituals that make a kitchen feel like home.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to build a wonderful community online, collaborate with brands I genuinely love, and connect with people face-to-face at markets around San Antonio. While those milestones have been incredibly rewarding, what I’m most proud of is creating a space where people feel inspired to slow down, bake something new, and savor the little moments.
I think what sets me apart is that I’m not just sharing recipes but also a feeling. My lifelong love of photography and storytelling allows me to capture the warmth, nostalgia, and beauty that exists beyond the finished dessert. Every recipe, photograph, and video is created with the hope that someone feels welcomed into my kitchen and leaves believing they can create something beautiful in their own way.
How do you think about happiness?
The little things make me happiest. Afternoon light spilling across the kitchen counter, adding a recipe to my cookbook, or kneading dough in complete silence. I find a lot of joy in slowing down enough to notice ordinary moments that often become the ones I remember most.
I have vivid memories of days spent decorating cakes, taking photographs of a batch of cookies I baked with my nephew, playing the piano for my cats, or feeling absolutely giddy while planning a Thanksgiving menu. Those quiet moments of creating are the ones I treasure most.
But at the end of the day, what brings me the most happiness is connection. There’s something incredibly special about creating something with your hands that becomes part of someone else’s memories — a dream birthday cake, a new holiday side, or a quiet afternoon eating pie on the couch together. Those are the moments that stay with me long after I’ve closed my kitchen for the day.
Pricing:
- Simple cakes starting at $60
- Vintage/custom cakes starting at $90
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thelittlebrownbaker.substack.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelittlebrownbaker
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelittlebrownbaker
