When most people see a school bus, they think of homework, tests, or research papers. But the hot pink rig with a sign that says “Kiersten’s Creations” is totally flipping the script. Instead of picking up schoolkids, this bus hands out ice cream, cookies, brownies, mousse, cheesecake, popsicles, floats, and coffee; among other sweet treats.
Kiersten’s Creations is new to the food truck scene, but is already one of The Best New Jersey Food Trucks. The truck is owned and operated by Monmouth County-native, Kiersten Connor, a culinary school graduate with a sweet tooth. Kiersten started out doing dessert catering before purchasing her food truck, but now she drives all over New Jersey.
Best of NJ met with Kiersten to discuss her experiences, goals, and her undeniable sweet tooth that led her to opening her own dessert truck.
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Best of NJ Interview: Kiersten’s Creations
Best of NJ: When and where did you go to culinary school?
Kiersten Connor: I went to the Culinary Institute of America, starting in August 2016. I got my associates in baking and pastry, and then stayed on for my Bachelor’s in food business management.
BONJ: Where did the idea for a food truck come from?
Kiersten: At 12 years old, I saw a box truck for sale on the side of the road. Me and my mom were talking about it and were like, “We should open up a dessert truck one day.” I fell in love with the idea, and it never went away. And when I was in college getting my associates degree, I bought the truck, and my family renovated it.
I got a job at 12 to start saving for it. I reffed soccer games [laughs], the only job you can really get as a 12-year-old.
BONJ: Going back to when you were a kid, what made you want to specialize in dessert?
Kiersten: I have a big sweet tooth. There is no other way to say it [laughs]. I was like the junk food junkie. You know, Halloween: loved it. Only went for the candy. Never enjoy dressing up—just wanted the candy. And Carlo’s Bakery, when The Cake Boss started, that heightened my interest.
BONJ: What year did you start Kiersten’s creations?
Kiersten: I started my food truck in the beginning of 2021. But I did catering for many years before that. I was doing holiday catering orders while in school, but then I started seriously catering in 2019.
BONJ: What type of catering did you do at that time?
Kiersten: Our most popular items were our cheesecake and chocolate mousse. That’s why it’s like the basis of our dessert truck now. A lot of cupcakes and cookies, biscotti and brownies, pastries of all sorts.
BONJ: Now, with your truck, what different types of items do you offer?
Kiersten: We offer a cheesecake, chocolate mousse, baked goods, and we do ice cream sandwiches and sundaes. And then we always throw in some fun items; I like to keep things fresh and get my creative side going. We like to incorporate seasonal as well as event-specific items.
So for example, at a fall event at Laurita Winery, we have mini cupcakes, and we also have coconut macaroons. And then in the spring and summer time, we make all of our frozen popsicles from scratch. We’ll have like different flavored popsicles and things like that.
BONJ: What was your first full season like with Kiersten’s Creations?
Kiersten: It was way more than I imagined—more hours and, honestly, way more fun. I met the most amazing people. Everybody is so awesome and supportive of each other. We really are like a family and it’s the most fun and most rewarding job I’ve ever had.
I quote somebody that I work with, who always says, “We’re in the smile industry.” And we really are [laughs]. We’re always out there just to make people happy, and that makes us happy in return.
BONJ: What are some of your most popular items?
Kiersten: Our most popular cheesecake would be the strawberry shortcake cheesecake. And then we have a peanut butter chocolate mousse that people really love. Our ice cream sandwiches are my favorite. You can mix and match between any of our baked goods with vanilla ice cream in between. You can get even a brownie and a Funfetti cookie with ice cream in between. The cookies are always fresh and soft, so you can always try something a little different.
BONJ: What kind of catering options do you offer?
Kiersten: We can do with or without the bus. You can order right through email—or any way you’d like to get in contact: phone call, text, Instagram. We do corporate events, weddings, post-weddings, birthday parties, holiday menus, really any private party you’re looking for. We can come with the truck, too.
Our orders are strictly dessert, but they’re not restricted to my usual items. So, for example, if a customer came to me and said, “I just love s’mores,” we could come up with a special dessert for you, whether we make a nice s’mores topping on a mousse or its own special item.
BONJ: Where can folks find you?
Kiersten: I have on my website a “Find Me” page, which I update as soon as I book public events. But I hope to be back at Laurita (Winery) often. I really like it here. We do make a few appearances up north. And we go to some wine events. We’re all over the place. We travel all around New Jersey [laughs].
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All Photos: © Patrick Lombardi / Best of NJ