The weekend of November 14 and 15, we’re opening up the International Choux Co. cooking school for a holiday extravaganza focused on the sweet side of this season – treats, teas and gift giving! This year’s Holiday Boot Camp focuses on the time-honored tradition of cookie baking with love … and tea. Led by avid bakers with tens of thousands of cookies under their belts, the day centers around three classes: Cookie Baking With Love and Purpose; Holiday Tea and Cookie Pairing: and The Art of the Cookie. Class descriptions, times and pricing below.

Sherrie believes life is a party, so you better pick a good theme. She loves bringing people together, serving great food and creating memorable experiences. Even throughout her career as a marketing executive, her creative meetings felt like parties while her team was getting the job done. And every year, her teams looked forward to receiving their Christmas gift of homemade cookie boxes.

She and her husband Bruce have hosted all kinds of social events, throughout their married lives. Whether it’s an intimate dinner or a large scale fundraiser, she always brings a little something extra, making every guest feel special. Baking is always a big part of whatever she’s planning, and especially during the Holidays. Years ago she stared a family tradition of giving special boxes of homemade cookes to her cherished nieces and nephews. Over decades, that tradition has grown to include guests at annual Christmas parties for her husband’s firm, their many golf and social group gatherings, special neighbors and service providers. From mid-November until mid-December, she transforms her kitchen, dining room and an extra bedroom or two to bake over 3,000 cookies, all to be packaged and given as a token of love.

Sherrie and Bruce split their time between St. Louis, Missouri and Phoenix, Arizona. Both are avid golfers and creative cooks.

For more than 50 years, Tracy Fahs has been creating memorable moments one cookie at a time. She believes the best memories often begin with the first bite of something homemade—a tradition that started when she was just three years old, standing on a step stool beside her mother with a spatula in hand.

Inspired by her mother’s love of baking, Tracy spent her childhood making classic chocolate chip cookies and experimenting with new recipes. Some were instant successes, others became funny family stories, but every experience deepened her passion for sharing love through homemade treats.

As a devoted wife, mother of three energetic boys, pediatric nurse, and dedicated volunteer, Tracy always made time to keep fresh-baked cookies waiting in the kitchen. Today, that tradition continues with her grandchildren, who know they’ll find a warm treat as soon as they walk through her door. Even her grown sons have a familiar routine—after saying, “Hi, Mom,” they head straight to the kitchen to see what delicious creation awaits them.

Tracy’s generosity extends well beyond her family. Through years of sharing cookies and baked treats with friends, neighbors and fellow church members, she has brought comfort, celebration, and countless smiles to her community. For Tracy, baking has never been just about dessert—it’s about making people feel welcomed, loved and at home. And best of all, Tracy generously shares her vast knowledge and helpful tip with anyone who’s interested in baking.

Tracy lives in Lake St. Louis with her husband, Chuck, and their beloved dogs, Pearl and Mabel. When she’s not in the kitchen, she’s usually curled up with a good book, reading more than 100 books each year.

Diana Link grew up in California, where creativity and entrepreneurship have always been at the heart of her life. With a degree in design and more than 25 years leading a successful branding and marketing agency, she has helped businesses build memorable brands while developing an eye for the details that create meaningful customer experiences.

In 2018, Diana and her husband turned a longtime passion into a business when they founded Tealeavz, a premium loose leaf tea company built around quality, education, and the belief that tea should be both approachable and extraordinary. What began as a dream to build a brand of her own has grown into a trusted destination for tea lovers seeking exceptional teas, beautiful teaware and a welcoming community.

Today, Diana combines her love of branding, marketing, product development and customer experience to continually grow Tealeavz while inspiring others to slow down and enjoy life’s simple rituals. Whether she’s creating a new tea collection, designing packaging, writing educational content or connecting with customers, her passion for creativity is woven into everything she does.

Now living in Arizona with her husband and the joy of her life, Bailey, their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Diana finds inspiration both at
work and at home. When she’s not immersed in tea, you’ll likely find her on the golf course or dreaming up her next creative project—with Bailey faithfully by her side.