Meet Beth Baumgartner | Food Blogger

We had the good fortune of connecting with Beth Baumgartner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Beth, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
When I started my blog, The First Year, I wasn’t thinking about branding or long-term success. I created it during the first year of my marriage as a hobby to keep myself busy while my husband pursued a PhD. He was working 80+ hours a week, and I needed a creative outlet—something to pour my energy into. Looking back, I see how that season was such a gift; I never imagined the blog would grow beyond that first year, let alone become my full-time job! If I had known where it would lead, I probably would have picked a name more related to desserts, but The First Year will always be a special reminder of where it all began.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
For those who may not know me, I’m Beth, the creator behind The First Year, where I make classic desserts simple, delicious, and foolproof. I didn’t grow up in a house where cooking or baking was a big focus, so when I got married, I figured it was time to learn. What started as a personal journey quickly turned into a passion—especially for desserts!

I originally launched The First Year as a way to stay connected with family after my husband and I moved out of state for his schooling. I started by sharing all kinds of recipes, but over time, I realized my true passion was baking. For four years, I ran the blog as a hobby while working full time, learning everything I could about recipe development and photography. Eventually, it gained enough traction to become my full-time career—a transition I never expected but am incredibly grateful for.

What sets The First Year apart is my transparency. I don’t just share polished, picture-perfect recipes—I show the real process of developing them. My Instagram is full of behind-the-scenes moments, from baking fails to the countless tests it takes to get a recipe just right. I want home bakers to see that mistakes are part of the process and that with a little persistence, they can bake with confidence.

I’m most proud of the deep dive I took into muffins in 2023, testing and developing over 30 recipes in six months. That journey earned me the title of muffin expert and led to my first cookbook—something I never imagined when I first started baking.

At the heart of everything I do is the belief that baking should feel approachable. I’m a normal wife and mom, still learning new skills, and if I can do it, you can too. My goal is to help others develop their own baking confidence with tested recipes they can count on. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned baker, I hope The First Year inspires you to get in the kitchen and make something delicious.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since we’re Michigan transplants, we’re still discovering all the amazing things this state has to offer! We love heading to one of the larger cities for family-friendly activities and checking out the best food spots everyone raves about.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Karli Bitner from Cooking with Karli (https://cookingwithkarli.com/) paved the way for food bloggers to successfully self-publish. Through trial and error, she navigated the process and generously shared her insights, inspiring and encouraging others—including me—to take the leap. Thanks to her guidance, I self-published Bakery Style Muffins and will be releasing Sweet this May.

Website: https://thefirstyearblog.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beth_thefirstyear/

Image Credits
Miranda Lynn Photography and Beth Baumgartner