How I Go Columbia: Silver Spoon’s Erin Nobles

Erin Nobles developed her love of baking as a young girl growing up in rural Bennettsville.

That’s where she remembers baking dozens of varieties of holiday cookies with her grandfather and watching her mother fearlessly attack any recipe regardless of its complexity.

It is that deep-rooted passion and desire that brought her to the University of South Carolina, where she received her undergraduate degree in hotel, restaurant and tourism management. She then moved to New York City to attend the French Culinary Institute, where she studied classic pastry arts and the art of international bread baking.

After interning with world renowned cake artist Ron Ben-Israel (of Ron Ben-Israel Cakes on West 38th Street in Manhattan), she moved back to the Carolinas and worked in Charleston and Charlotte before opening Silver Spoon Bake Shop on Devine Street in 2013.

In just three years, the shop has garnered much attention – most recently, the shop was named winner of the South Carolina Farm Bureau Palmetto Palate competition.

EAT

There are so many wonderful restaurants in Columbia, it’s hard for me to narrow down my favorites. After baking all day, the last thing I want to do is cook dinner. Chef Greg at Primal Gourmet on St. Andrews Road has been a lifesaver. I usually pick up several meals for the week because one cannot live on cookies and biscuits alone. Another favorite is Il Giorgione, just down the block from us. Everything is great – I love the quattro stagione pizza with the egg on top, plus their specials are always amazing. On Fridays, I like getting a loaf of olive bread from Crust on Rosewood; even though I’m surrounded by baked goods every single day, there’s always room for more. For lunch, my staff and I love to pick up Spotted Salamander. Mr. Friendly’s is a longtime favorite as well.

DRINK

My mornings are fueled by Turtle Creek Coffee. We use Turtle Creek to make our own cold brew – add some almond milk and a splash of half and half, and it will definitely put some pep in your step. Bloody marys at Motor Supply brunch and white Russians at Nightcaps are never a bad idea either.

SEE

We are fortunate to have Congaree National Park so close to us. The synchronized fireflies are incredibly beautiful and something I look forward to every year.

LISTEN

The Music Farm is a great place to see a show. They always have a wide variety of artists and really affordable drink prices. Moon Taxi was there a few weeks ago and put on a really great show.

PLAY

I’m usually working on Saturdays, but if I do get one off, I always enjoy checking out Soda City Market. It makes me happy to see small businesses doing so well. I don’t get much play time but did recently join Base 10 Method gym and have been attending the evening group classes. Gotta burn off those carbs somehow!

This story was originally published November 23, 2016 at 11:30 AM with the headline "How I Go Columbia: Silver Spoon’s Erin Nobles."