Natasha Gaskill | Southern Foodways Alliance arrow left envelope headphones search facebook instagram twitter flickr menu rss play circle itunes calendar
August 25, 2021
Gravy podcast begins Alabama Black Belt episodes
October 15-16, 2021
2021 Southern Foodways Symposium ⟶
Support
the SFA
Support
the SFA
August 25, 2021
Gravy podcast begins Alabama Black Belt episodes
October 15-16, 2021
2021 Southern Foodways Symposium ⟶

Oral Histories

The SFA oral history program documents life stories from the American South. Collecting these stories, we honor the people whose labor defines the region. If you would like to contribute to SFA’s oral history collections, please send your ideas for oral history along with your CV or Resume and a portfolio of prior oral history work to annemarie@southernfoodways.org.

< Back to Oral History project: Southern Baking

ORAL HISTORY

Natasha Gaskill

Natasha Gaskill, born in 1977, is a native of Ferndale, Washington. She moved to Savannah, Georgia in 2001 with her husband, Nathan.  Gaskill credits her mother-in-law Susan for instilling in her the importance of food, and Minette Rushing for mentoring her throughout her baking career.  After building and later selling a successful recycling business, she went to culinary school to build upon her already strong self-taught techniques.  Though Gaskill worked as a baker for several years, she opened A-Squad Bakeshop in 2014, retro-fitting a shed on her property.  A-Squad specialized in wedding cakes and desserts for local restaurants, growing a cult following for her donuts.  Seeking a new challenge, Gaskill closed A-Squad Bakeshop in 2018 and has since worked as the pastry chef at Husk Savannah, and the executive pastry chef at The Grey and The Grey Market.

Date of interview:
2020-12-08

Interviewer:
Kelly Spivey

Photographer:
Stephen Morton

Download Transcript

“

“I think the South really reveres the home baker in a way that doesn’t exist in the rest of the country. . .I think the best bakers in the South are literally people in their homes.” - Natasha Gaskill

Other Project Interviews

Interview

Justin Burke

Justin Burke is a pastry chef, recipe developer, and food writer in Davidson, NC.

Interview

Joye B. Moore

Joye B. Moore is owner of Joyebell’s Sweet Potato Pies in Richmond, Virginia.

Interview

Charlie Wade

Charlie Wade is founder of Deep Roots Milling in Nelson, County, Virginia.

Interview

Evva Hanes

Evva Hanes owns Mrs. Hanes’ Moravian Cookies in Clemmons, NC.

Interview

Meredith McMillan

Meredith McMillan is the former owner of Merry Cheese Crisps in Birmingham, Alabama.

Interview

Ashley Ramirez

Ashley Ramirez owns Mason Dixon Bakery in Huntsville, Alabama.

Interview

Laura Hester

Laura Hester is the former owner of Red Gingham Gourmet in Florence, Alabama.

Interview

Ben and Ryan Ray

Ben and Ryan Ray own Millie Ray and Sons in Birmingham, Alabama.

WORKING TOGETHER

WE CAN CULTIVATE PROGRESS.

The Southern Foodways Alliance drives a more progressive future by leading conversations that challenge existing constructs, shape perspectives, and foster meaningful discussions. We reconsider the past with research, scrutiny, and documentation.

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY

Alex Raij Txikito

Let’s Stay in Touch

Sign up for the SFA newsletter to have the latest content
delivered directly to your inbox.