Ellie Tanner isnât waiting until after she graduates from high school to pursue her dream of becoming a pastry chef.
At 16, sheâs already in business for herself, making and selling cookies, cupcakes and hot cocoa bombs through her home-based business in Monticello, Eâs Sweet Slice.
A sophomore at Monticello High School, Tanner said sheâs been baking for quite some time now.
âIâve been baking since I was little, but I started to get serious with it about five years ago,â she said.
Her mom got her a cake decorating kit, she said, and then she went to a cake decorating class.
CHAMPAIGN â More than 30 monetary awards from the Hospitality Relief Fund of the Visit Champaign County Foundation have been given to people in the hospitality industry who have lost their job or are facing reduced hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Business owners and general managers from restaurants, hotels, event venues and retail nominated the workers.
It marks the second round of the awards. More than $11,000 has been raised from 40 individual contributions in addition to the initial contribution from the foundation. United Way of Champaign County also made a $5,000 donation.
A lottery system is being used to determine award winners. Recipients are current or past employees from area shops, restaurants, hotels, venues and attractions that include Boomerangs Bar & Grill, PoâBoys Restaurant, Rose Bowl Tavern, The Blind Pig Brewery, CU Adventures in Time & Space, Hilton Garden Inn, Neil St. Blues and Esquire Lounge.