Welcome to The Cookie Shack! My name is Maia, and I’m a passionate baker originating from Boston, Massachusetts now proudly serving the Bradenton, Florida community and beyond. I’m a Baking and Pastry Arts graduate from Manatee Technical College, and have certifications in ServSafe.

Growing up in a warm and spirited Italian family, food was more than just a meal, it was a way to say “I love you.” Especially when it came to baked goods! No matter who walked through our door, you were offered a plate without hesitiation. That simple act of hospitality and generosity sparked my passion for all things sweet at a young age.

But it didn’t start with me. It began with my great-grandmother, Dorothy, lovingly known in my family as “Ma.” She was the cornerstone of the family, but my mother had a special relationship with her that lives on fondly through stories and photographs. Most of the time being in the kitchen or around the dinner table.

This little bakery is a tribute to her memory—a way to share a little slice of my family’s love to yours.

Thank you for being here.

“La cucina è il cuore della casa.”

(The kitchen is the heart of the home.)