"Absolutely Decadent" OMG Gourmet Desserts Goes Live

Tucson Entrepreneur Offers Baked-to-Order Gourmet Dessert Cookies with a Charitable Twist

Tucson, Ariz. (April 30, 2009) – An insurance agent by day, Tucsonan Mark Kinney is a baker at heart, and, as it happens, a baker with heart. As he prepared for the May 1 launch of his new on-line bakery, omggourmetdesserts.com, Kinney announced that a percentage of profits generated by OMG Gourmet Desserts will be donated to charity.

OMG Gourmet Desserts derives its name directly from the mouths of Kinney’s family, friends, business associates and clients—to whom he has been giving away his home baked confections for more than 15 years.

Upon receiving a box of Kinney’s confections in the mail as a gift, Connie Parsons of Seattle commented “Oh my goodness, those are so good!” According to Kinney, Parson’s “omg” response is typical, and is almost always followed by, “Where can I get more?”

It’s fair to say that Kinney, through his generosity, has inadvertently created gourmet dessert addicts all over Tucson, and beyond.

“I walk in to see a client and their first words to me are ‘Did you bring us any more cookies?’” Kinney laughs. Or they hand him back his clean Tupperware container from his last visit, with a wistful look.

As Kinney’s friends turned on more friends, demand for Kinney’s cookies grew. And his capacity for giving grew right along with it.

Then one day last year, it hit him. Call it divine intervention. Call it destiny. Call it pure genius. Whatever it was, Kinney finally realized it was his calling to put these confections into as many mouths as he can possibly reach, and in so doing, create an avenue for giving back. That’s when OMG Gourmet Desserts was born.

Launching a high-end dessert business in a downturned economy may sound risky. But it’s a risk this entrepreneur is not taking lightly. He’s been down this road before.

In the 1980s, Kinney owned Strictly from Scratch, a wholesale bakery located on Tucson’s south side. It supplied decadent desserts to many of southern Arizona’s best known restaurants and resorts, including Arizona Inn, Tucson Cork, Pinnacle Peak, El Corral, Coffee Etc., and Westin La Paloma. Chefs lamented when Kinney decided to forge a different career path. But even as he pursued the insurance profession, Kinney’s passion for baking continued unabated.

His most coveted confection proved to be a type of Rugalach which he has painstakingly perfected into three varieties in his quest to create just the right taste, texture, moisture content and appearance. With the help of food scientists, bakery houses, flavor manufacturers and willing friends, his quest is now complete. He will launch his baked goods online in three distinct flavors: Traditional, White Satin Cranberry and Mocha Espresso.

If comments from Taste Testers during premarketing product trials are any indication, the whole world may soon be craving Kinney’s confections.

“The Traditional is like a cinnamon roll with a hint of baklava. The White Satin Cranberry is heaven sent, like biting into an Arizona sunset.” - Ed B.

“I loved this treat!!!! I am sure this was the best cookie I have ever tasted!! ever!!!” - Connie L

“’This might be the most amazing sweet treat I’ve ever tasted. I’ve never had anything like it.” - Julie K.

“Absolutely decadent.” - Cindy M.

Kinney has decided to call his sweet treats “Lorraines” in memory of his mother, Lois Lorraine Kinney, who passed away when Mark was just a boy. In her absence he learned his way around the kitchen at a young age. Later, traveling the world with Up With People, Kinney found his way into many kitchens and cultures, learning everything he could about food and hospitality along the way.

As of May 1, 2009, Kinney says individually wrapped Lorraines will be available in gift boxes of six. Orders placed on line will be baked fresh and shipped overnight anywhere in the U.S. Orders placed by May 5th will be guaranteed for delivery by Mother’s Day.

For more information, log on to www.omggourmetdesserts.com.

# # #

Contact Information

June Hussey

Publicist

Brazen Enterprises

Contact via E-mail