Rylie Neema: A Baker on the Rise

Eleven-year-old Rylie Neema loves baking and has been doing it almost her entire young life. Particularly passionate about desserts, Rylie recently started her own pastry business, On Pointe Pastries.
Her culinary journey began due to an unexpected obstacle in dietary needs: a milk allergy. This allergy forced her mom to get creative early. By the time she was one and a half, Rylie was already a helpful hand in the kitchen, assisting her mom in baking bread and muffins. By the time she was six years old, she could bake on her own.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Rylie decided to hone her craft and perfect her baking skills while she stayed home. She was able to dedicate all her time to baking for once, as she is usually occupied playing soccer, dancing at Fusion Dance Studio, being a Girl Scout and attending Montemalaga Elementary School.
“I do want to someday go to some kind of culinary school,” Rylie said. “I want to cook just because I like to stay busy. It’s not like work to me. It’s relaxing and fun.”
Rylie has attended online and in-person baking classes from talented, and some famous, chefs. When she begins to build her customer base, Rylie said she hopes to give back to other people.“I’m going to be donating a portion of my revenue when I get revenue because I like giving back,” Rylie said. “Meals on wheels is one of the organizations I like.”
In the near future, Rylie plans to sell her pastries at a farmers market. Rylie’s dream is to participate in the
Kids Baking Championship and win.