Capstone Project Proposal Draft
Name of student: Yoomin Lee Date: Tuesday,
February 27, 2024
Teacher: Mr. Robazza Block: C
The Capstone strand I have chosen is Entrepreneurship
Proposed title for my Project Proposal: (write the proposed title for your Capstone Project in
one clear sentence): I Intend to Establish a Bakery Business while Learning New Culinary Skills
– Capstone Project.
What is your inquiry question that interests you for further research? It should be a question that
connects with a purpose, passion or personalized area of interest for you. This is a question that
you cannot just google an answer for. Please see examples from your Capstone booklet.
My inquiry question is:
How can I successfully make profits out of my own baked goods while learning new culinary
skills?
Rationale/context: Detail your reasons for choosing this inquiry question. Explain WHY you are
choosing to investigate this topic as a major area of focus. How does this area of inquiry
connect to your passion(s), purpose? Why is it of personal interest to you?
I have always wanted to start my own business of selling baked goods and/or drinks (). I
wanted to work at a café as a baker, but it is tough for me to get the opprtunity since they only
hire full time. So, I wanted to try opening my own business which I don’t have to get stressed
by scheduling time. Moreover, I chose this inquiry question because I wanted to explore
different types of recipes outside of my comfort zone that I usually make and develop it into
my own recipe. Combining the reasons together, I decided to make a business which can
benefit me in both ways that I can reach both goals. By doing this project, I am able to unlock
new skills in baking, as well as making profits and having an opportunity to create and run a
business.
Background: What background knowledge/connections/prior learning do you have in this
area of inquiry?
My passion for baking was found in a food class during my 11th year in high school. After my
first introduction to baking, I started a self-directed study route and have been baking ever
since. I still like baking in my spare time. I learned most of my baking techniques and
knowledge on my own, mostly by watching a ton of YouTube tutorials and carefully following
recipes that I discovered online. These resources have played a key role in my professional
growth as a baker. Furthermore, the fundamental knowledge I gained in the school's food
class gave me a strong basis on which to construct my self-taught expertise.
Career connections: What is your intended career area at this point in time? What
connections does this inquiry question have to your life, academic and/ or career goals?
My dream occupation is to be a sound engineer; however, life doesn’t always come out as
you expected. If I don’t end up becoming an engineer in the future, I want to build my own
business or a café that sells baked goods and drinks. I’ve always been very passionate about
cooking and baking since I was the first born in my family who had to take care of my younger
siblings when my parents were gone. Furthermore, this inquiry question will determine
whether I am a good salesman or if I just want to become a worker. Through this project, I
would like to test if I can do well in other areas outside of schoolwork. This will be my first
opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and try something new.
Interdisciplinary and core competencies connections: What subject areas and core
competencies will be connected with your project? Outline and explain the connections.
“I can create new and unique ideas that may provide new perspectives that influence how
people think about topics.” (Creative Thinking) – This was one of my weaknesses in the
creative thinking section of the core competencies. I am planning to improve in this area by
creating my own decorations of the products and by creating my own business. I will need to
think about other people’s perspectives and ideas on baked goods so I can use them when
marketing and developing my business.
Capstone Presentation medium: select one or more project mediums you wish to use to
present your project. Outline and give details about how you will present your project once
completed. You may use a combination of mediums.
o Electronic portfolio: Prezi or PPT
o Physical portfolio
o Website
o imovie presentation
o YouTube channel
I am planning to use the electronic portfolio and the physical portfolio. I am planning to make
the PPT of each step of my capstone, such as baking process, cost calculation, order
platform creation, and more. Moreover, I am planning to bring the physical baking product that
I sold. I am going to lay out each recipe and explain how it was chosen out of all other recipes
in the world. Furthermore, I will include the process of facing problems and solving them in
money calculations and in baking itself.
Description of my Capstone project. Specific Project Details of the Capstone Project: what
will you research, create, study, produce, solve, investigate? What product will be produced
at the end of this project for evaluation. Write a one-page description outlining your
proposal.
Introduction:
The proposal outlines the foundation of a self-started business focusing on the sale of baked
goods and drinks, born out of a passion for baking discovered in eleventh grade. The initiative
stems from the desire to create a flexible business that allows for personal growth and
exploration beyond conventional employment opportunities, particularly in cafes that require
full-time commitments. This capstone project aims to develop unique recipes and establish a
business model, as well as personal baking experiences and a deep-rooted interest in
culinary arts.
Objectives:
1. To explore and develop unique recipes for baked goods and drinks that appeal to a diverse
customer base.
2. To establish a profitable business model that allows for flexibility in scheduling and
operations.
3. To gain hands-on experience in running a business, from product development to sales
and customer engagement.
4. To investigate the feasibility of a career shift towards entrepreneurship within the food and
beverage industry, should a professional career in sound engineering not materialize.
The project will utilize a combination of self-taught baking techniques, mentorship from
experienced professionals, and academic resources. An electronic portfolio will document the
developmental stages of the project, including recipe selection, baking processes, cost
analysis, and order platform creation. A physical portfolio will showcase actual baked
products, detailing the rationale behind recipe choices and addressing challenges
encountered in production and financial management.
Key Activities:
- Recipe Development: Experiment with various recipes, incorporating feedback from mentors
and leveraging online resources to refine product offerings.
- Market Analysis: Conduct research on cost and price calculations to establish a competitive
yet profitable pricing strategy.
- Platform Development: Utilize technology to create an ordering system, considering options
like Google Forms or website builders for customer engagement.
- Mentorship: Seek advice and tips from experienced bakers and culinary professionals,
including family friends and school teachers, to enhance product quality and business
operations.
Challenges and Solutions:
- Time Management: Address the limited availability for baking and business activities by
focusing on quality over quantity, ensuring each product receives adequate attention.
- Pricing Strategy: Carefully calculate production costs and market prices to avoid overpricing
or financial loss, maintaining a balance between affordability and profitability.
- Target Audience: Design a product line that appeals to a broad demographic, avoiding the
limitation of focusing solely on one age group.
Conclusion:
This project represents a unique opportunity to merge a passion for baking with
entrepreneurial aspirations, offering a pathway to personal and professional growth outside
traditional employment settings. Through careful planning, creativity, and strategic execution,
the proposed business venture aims to establish a niche in the competitive food and
beverage industry, fulfilling both a personal dream and a market demand for unique, quality
baked goods and drinks.
Resources/ Technology/Skills: Make an assessment of the resources, technology and
skills you will need to be able to complete this project. What is your plan to be able to
access/learn all of the resources necessary to achieve completion of this project? Detail
your plans.
To complete this project, I will need to access various kinds of resources such as baking tools
and ingredients, as well as the recipes. I will need to learn a few skills in baking, in order to
produce a tasty and good-looking product. I will learn the skills and recipes through social
media or the internet. Moreover, I will need to learn cost and price calculations and how it
actually works in real life. I am planning to search up the calculation and market price on the
internet. I need the access to technology that can help me create a platform to get the orders
and contact my customers. For this step, I am planning to use google form or create a
website through weebly.
Mentors/Community Connections: What types of mentor(s)/community connections will
you need to help you complete your capstone project? How will your mentor(s) help you?
What is your plan to access the mentorship/community connections necessary for this
project?
One of my family friend’s dad is a chef at a restaurant who even created recipes. He also
bakes in his free time; thus, I am planning to ask him for some tips on baking and a few
beneficial steps in order to make my product perfect. I can also ask the food teachers from
our school for some help. If no one above is able to help me, I am planning to visit local cafes
and ask for help.
Project limitations: What are some project limitations and potential obstacles that you foresee
that might affect progress with your Capstone Project?
In my case, I have a limited amount of time that I can bake since I have a pretty full schedule
even throughout the weekend. I am only free for a few hours on Mondays and Tuesdays
which will make it hard for me to put a lot of time into making the product perfect. This might
affect the project, but I am planning to solve this problem by making fewer products and
spending more time on them individually, rather than making various products with flaws.
Other considerations: List and detail any other related information/ considerations about
your project that you feel should be included in your project proposal.
I need to take good care of calculations, or else, I will end up over-pricing or go broke. I need
to make time and actually spend lots of time when creating a decoration or a recipe. Do not
target only one age group. Go for a variety of choices.
References: Provide a literature review of 5-10 PEER REVIEWED ACADEMIC references:
research, videos, etc. that offer some preliminary research you have done for your project
that shows you are able to access the key information that you will need to be able to
complete this project/work. Along with providing the source, you will need to provide a
description of what the source is good for and how you may use it. Your list should be
written using correct APA formatting.
Karina. (n.d.). Best Fudgy Cocoa Brownies. Cafe Delites. Retrieved from
https://cafedelites.com/best-fudgy-cocoa-brownies/
This source provides a simple and efficient recipe for fudgy cocoa brownies that promises a
perfect texture with a crackly top. The recipe is notable for its straightforward method, utilizing
hot melted butter and a small amount of oil to achieve the desired consistency. This detailed
guide is ideal for individuals seeking a quick and delicious brownie recipe.
Cyna. (n.d.). Meringue Cookies Without Cream of Tartar. Country Hill Cottage. Retrieved from
https://www.countryhillcottage.com/meringue-cookies-without-cream-of-tartar/
In this resource, a recipe for making meringue cookies without cream of tartar is shared,
emphasizing the ease and accessibility of creating these light, crisp treats. The post is filled
with practical tips for each step of the process, ensuring successful outcomes for bakers of
any skill level.
Karina. (n.d.). Best Fudgy Chocolate Brownie Cookies. Cafe Delites. Retrieved from
https://cafedelites.com/best-fudgy-chocolate-brownie-cookies/#recipe
This source offers a recipe for fudgy chocolate brownie cookies that merge the textures of
brownies and cookies. Highlighting a simple preparation method that requires no chocolate
melting or dough chilling, this guide is perfect for those looking for a quick and satisfying
cookie recipe.
Laura. (2024, February 3). The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ever. JoyFoodSunshine.
Retrieved from https://joyfoodsunshine.com/the-most-amazing-chocolate-chip-cookies/
#wprm-recipe-container-8678
Laura shares a classic chocolate chip cookie recipe that is straightforward and consistently
delivers delicious results. This guide stands out for its emphasis on achieving the perfect
cookie texture and includes several tips for baking and storing. It's recommended for anyone
in search of a reliable and tasty chocolate chip cookie recipe.
What's Cooking America. (n.d.). Basic Baking Rules. Retrieved from
https://whatscookingamerica.net/cake/bakingtips.htm
This source outlines essential baking tips and rules aimed at enhancing the baking skills of
both novice and experienced bakers. It stresses the significance of meticulousness, from
accurately reading recipes to precise measuring and adherence to baking techniques, to
ensure successful baking outcomes. This guide serves as a valuable resource for anyone
looking to improve their baking practices and achieve consistent results.
