Meet Sally McKay, the Founder of Sally’s Confections
For Sally McKay, an unexpected layoff opened the door to her true calling — and a brush with fame! Get to know this week’s FACE of Birmingham! Image: Mary Fehr Photography
Growing up, Sally McKay loved to spend time in the kitchen baking with her mother. As an adult, she traded in her apron for a career in banking. But when an unexpected layoff came just one week before the birth of her first child, the new stay-at-home mom rediscovered her former hobby. Ten years later, she launched her food blog, Sally’s Confections, and, in a full-circle moment, appeared with her mom on the Hallmark Channel’s baking competition, Baked with Love: Holiday. We chatted with Sally about the show, life’s twists and turns, and the art of enjoying the ride.
How did you get your start in the baking world?
When my youngest started kindergarten, I re-entered the workforce as a freelance food stylist, working behind the scenes on a variety of food shows produced here in Birmingham. From there, I expanded into editorial work and began styling photo shoots.
In 2020, during the pandemic, I finally carved out the time to launch Sally’s Confections and began sharing recipe videos on Instagram. What started as a passion project has grown into a space where I can combine my love of baking, styling, and storytelling.
I’m a self-taught baker and still learning something new every day, which is one of the things I love most about it.
In hindsight, how do you view the job layoff now?
When I found out I was part of a large round of layoffs at my job, I was devastated. I was about to become a first-time mom, and suddenly the career path I had planned for myself was gone. Looking back, though, it was truly a blessing in disguise. Being forced out of my comfort zone allowed me to explore a passion that had been with me since childhood. What started as a creative outlet quickly grew into something much bigger.
Without the layoff, I may never have discovered that I could turn my passion into a career. What felt like a setback at the time ended up opening the door to a new path that has brought me so much joy and fulfillment.
What are some of your favorite food projects you’ve worked on?
Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with incredible brands, including Southern Living Magazine, Food & Wine, Allrecipes, White Lily Flour, and Plugrá Butter. In addition to video and editorial shoots, I’ve also worked behind the scenes on several cookbooks, which has been an especially rewarding part of my journey.
How did you first hear about the Hallmark show, and what was the auditioning process like?
I first heard about the show when a casting agent reached out to me on Instagram. We got on a call, and she gave me the details — that the show would air on Hallmark Channel and be filmed in the Cotswolds in England. To audition, I needed a family member to partner with me, and my mom was the natural choice from the start. We knew being cast was a bit of a long shot, but we decided to go for it anyway!
My mom and I found out we were cast in May, and that we’d be leaving for England on June 5, so everything moved very quickly. In that short window, we were sent briefs outlining the recipes we’d be baking along with the specific requirements for each challenge. We had less than a month to develop our recipes and practice them within strict time constraints. The preparation leading up to filming was definitely challenging for me, as I was balancing family life, my day job, and getting ready for the show.
You made it to the final round of the competition. What was the experience like at the end?
Our first goal was simply to make it past the first episode. To ultimately become finalists on Baked with Love: Holiday was truly a dream come true. We also had the incredible opportunity to meet the legendary Dame Mary Berry, which was a dream in itself. We worked so hard to make it to the finals, and every step of the journey pushed us personally and creatively. It was such a rewarding experience to see that hard work pay off.
Has Sally’s Confections been affected by the show?
I’ve seen growth in both my blog subscribers and across my social channels, which has been so encouraging. I also have some exciting opportunities in the works that I can’t share just yet, but I’m really looking forward to what’s ahead!
You share more than just recipes with your followers. Tell us about the fashion side of Sally’s Confections.
Fashion has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember — I even majored in fashion merchandising with a minor in business in college — and it has always remained a big part of who I am. I love sharing my latest finds and helping people discover pieces that make them feel confident and express their personal style. Much like baking and entertaining, fashion is another creative outlet for me.
What are your favorite shops and boutiques in Birmingham?
We have so many wonderful locally owned shops in Birmingham! A few that I return to again and again are Town & Country Clothing in Crestline, Shoe Fly in Homewood, and Clover + Bee in Cahaba Heights. They each have incredibly talented buyers who curate thoughtful collections and provide exceptional customer service. Supporting local boutiques is something I value deeply. Not only do they offer unique pieces you won’t find everywhere else, but they also help make Birmingham’s retail community so vibrant and special.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, running, and playing tennis. I also enjoy planting a vegetable garden each spring. Going out to many of the delish restaurants in Birmingham for dinner with my husband or friends is an all-time favorite hobby as well!
What’s your favorite Birmingham bakery?
Fultondale Bakery. It’s been a beloved part of our family’s celebrations for years, and every visit feels nostalgic. I especially love their traditional petit fours. Some of my fondest memories involve sharing their petit fours with the people I love. I appreciate how a simple, sweet treat can become part of a family’s traditions, and that’s exactly what Fultondale Bakery has been for us.
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
My faith inspires me to keep going each and every day. My family inspires me to be the best I can be and also to do things that I wouldn’t be able to do without their encouragement.
What is your best piece of advice?
Be kind! No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
LIGHTNING ROUND!
Favorite thing to bake? That’s a tough question! Decorated sugar cookies have always been my first love in baking.
Last delicious local meal? Brick and Tin’s Bluebird Salad
Your go-to gift to give? Unique coffee table books
Favorite recent TV show binge? AMC’s Mad Men
Three things you can’t live without? A long run, my kitchen, and a good glass of wine
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Get to know more amazing Birmingham women in our FACES archives!
Katie Leigh Matthews
A Birmingham native, Katie is a lifelong waterfall chaser and is passionate about the outdoors. She also loves connecting with remarkable women in the Birmingham community and bringing their stories to life. Katie has been writing professionally for over six years; you can find more of her work at Moms.com and Islands.com.