What does it really take to become a Certified Master Baker—and then choose to teach the next generation?

In this episode of The Perfect Rise, I sit down with Jesse Jackson III, CMB, Baking & Pastry Instructor at the Culinary Institute of America and one of only two African American Retail Bakers of America Certified Master Bakers.

This conversation isn’t just about titles.
It’s about discipline. Standards. Repetition. Legacy.

Chef Jesse walks us through the long game of mastery—from working in high-level kitchens to earning one of the most respected credentials in our industry—and why choosing education was the next evolution of his career.

If you’re serious about building a career that lasts, this episode is required listening.

In This Conversation, We Cover:

• What it really means to pursue the Certified Master Baker credential
• Why foundational skills still separate good bakers from great ones
• The discipline behind repetition—and how mistakes actually build mastery
• What culinary students need to understand before enrolling in school
• Why teaching may be one of the most impactful paths in baking today

Chef Jesse shares honest insights about Michelin-level environments, the responsibility of instruction, and how to align your career with long-term purpose—not just short-term applause.

Whether you’re a student, educator, bakery owner, or someone pursuing professional certification, this episode reinforces one core truth:

Mastery is built slowly—and on purpose.

About Chef Jesse Jackson III

Chef Jesse Jackson III is a Baking & Pastry Chef Instructor at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. After years as a pastry chef and entrepreneur, he earned the Certified Master Baker designation through the Retail Bakers of America—one of the highest professional achievements in the field. Today, he is committed to shaping the next generation of bakers through rigorous standards and real-world instruction.

If you care about the future of baking education, credentials, and professional growth—this episode belongs in your rotation.

Listen now and raise your standard.

#CertifiedMasterBaker #CulinaryEducation #BakingStandards #PastryCareer #ThePerfectRise

Become a Member

In this episode of The Perfect Rise, we sit down with Chad Ecklof, third-generation owner of Ecklof Bakery, to talk about legacy, leadership, and why profit literacy—not just passion—is the difference between survival and sustainability.

Chad shares how nine years in the U.S. Navy shaped his leadership style, what it’s like working side by side with his father in a legacy bakery, and how outdated pricing systems led him to build The Baker’s Bench—a tool designed by a baker, for bakers.

This conversation is a must-listen for bakery owners, educators, and anyone serious about the business of baking.

In this episode, we cover:

• What legacy bakeries get right about leadership and longevity
• Why most bakeries don’t fail from poor product—but poor pricing visibility
• How ingredient cost changes quietly erode profit if you’re not watching
• The difference between pricing by instinct and pricing with intention
• What bakers actually need to understand about gross profit
• Why education must bridge the gap between the recipe and reality
• How systems support craftsmanship instead of replacing it

Who this episode is for:

• Retail bakery owners and operators
• Bakers thinking about opening a brick-and-mortar shop
• Culinary educators and students
• Anyone navigating rising ingredient costs and shrinking margins

Exclusive RBA Member Benefit: Baker’s Bench Access

RBA members receive special access to The Baker’s Bench, a bakery-focused pricing and profitability tool created by fourth-generation baker Chad Eckolf.

When you sign up for Baker’s Bench, you’ll be asked during onboarding if you’re a Retail Bakers of America member. During your 14-day trial, RBA memberships are verified internally. Once confirmed, you’ll receive a unique code directly from the Baker’s Bench team to apply when upgrading to a paid account.

No public code required—just sign up, complete onboarding, and we’ll take care of the rest.

👉 Get started here: https://bakersbenchapp.com

At Retail Bakers of America, we believe great baking deserves great businesses. This episode is about building both.

🎧 Listen now and learn how clarity, systems, and stewardship create bakeries that stand the test of time.

Become a Member

What does real mastery look like when nobody’s watching?

In this episode of The Perfect Rise, I’m joined by Colette Christian—chef, educator, and certification powerhouse—whose career started in professional kitchens at 14 and evolved through hotels, production baking, business ownership, and culinary education.

We talk about the unsexy truth behind skill: repetition, systems, and the willingness to take on the jobs most people avoid. Colette shares a smart strategy for getting into top kitchens even when there’s “no opening,” why bakery certifications build confidence that actually holds up under pressure, and what changes in culinary education are shaping the next generation of bakers and bakery owners.

If you’re a baker, pastry pro, educator, or bakery owner who wants stronger skills, clearer direction, and more staying power in this industry—this conversation will land.

Learn about Colette: Baking with Colette

Become a Member