Chef at Ossorio in Cocoa Village turned her baking hobby into a career
It took no time at all for Carly Cleare to get up to speed as executive chef at busy Ossorio Bakery & Café in Cocoa Village, but as you’ll see, Cleare always lives on the fast track, whatever she does.
Question: Some history, please?
Answer: I have moved a lot through-out my life, so a hometown varies. I was born in Texas, early years and middle school I spent in Arkansas, and high-school was in Alabama. I went to college in Orlando.
I have a passion for the beach, so after college I started looking for places in Brevard so I wasn't driving out every week.
Q: How did you get into the restaurant industry?
A: Like a lot of people at 18, I was given so may options for a career path. I started college with the idea of becoming an elementary school teacher. After a year and a half of college and a couple classroom sit ins, and learning what teachers are required to put up with, I decided teaching was not for me.
During the holiday season, my brother saw I was lost on what I wanted to do with myself. He suggested that since I was always baking a birthday cake or holiday pie. I should just see what was out there in the culinary world, so I went online and found Le Cordon Bleu in Orlando and decided it was worth a tour. I fell in love with the school.
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Once I was moved to Orlando, I needed a job. I started searching and was hired at Cici's Pizza. Towards the end of my schooling, I entered into my externship at Disney's Chefs de France in Epcot. It was a great experience and opened my eyes to high-volume kitchens. After my externship ended, I moved to Cocoa. The drive started to become too much, and I started searched for a job out here.
I found my next job at Ruby Tuesday. While working at Ruby's, I was looking to get back in my career passion of baking. With some searching, I found Ossorio Bakery & Café and started in June of 2013.
Q: Signature dish?
A: We are typically known for our Sara's Curry Chicken Salad and our cinnamon rolls.
Q: What must first-time visitors try?
A: I really enjoy the Buddy's Beef Sandwich, the Asparagus Pizza or Morgan’s Salad. If you’re looking for a pastry, I would recommend the almond croissant.
Q: What can't you do without in the kitchen?
A: The Hobart mixer. It’s how we make all the dough.
Q: Family?
A: I am one of four kids, Oldest daughter. I have two older brothers, myself and a sister. My mom lives in Alabama, and my father in Texas.
I got married in November of 2015 at the Sea Aire in Cocoa Beach. Chris and I met on the beach. He was surfing and I wanted to learn. We started talking and found we both enjoy being outside, motorcycles and car rides. He is a great partner and I couldn't have found someone who matched me any better.
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Q: Hobbies?
A: Along with the beach, my husband and I also enjoy spending time around our cars and motorcycles, We have attended the Daytona 200 (motorcycle race) and have made our way to Sebring, too.
Q: Three words that describe you?
A: Quirky, spontaneous, happy.
Q: What is in your bucket list?
A: I would like to visit New Zealand, travel around with a Formula 1 team and be a personal chef.
Q: Famous person you'd love to see at Ossorio?
A: Daniel Ricciardo (Australian racing driver), Lewis Hamilton (British racing driver), Florence Welch (English musician and singer).
Ossorio Bakery & Café
Where: 316 Brevard Ave., Cocoa Village
Call: 321-639-72423
Web: ossorio.com
Hours: Open from 8 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Of note: Ossorio is currently taking orders for holiday pastries. A word to the wise: order early.
Email toastofthecoastfloridatoday@gmail.com.