It all started in October 2003, when we met while attending the French Culinary Institute in New York City.

Alex & Nick -The Dinky Donuts Team

As it turns out, both of us were unhappy in our previous career paths. Driven by our love of food we had both decided to enroll in the intensive nine month program at FCI. With so many similarities, we found ourselves dating before our nine months at school was up. After graduation, we started our culinary careers in New York City. During our time in New York City, we worked at some of the city’s best restaurants, including Blue Hill, Town, Cru and BLT Steak.

After several years of working in the New York restaurant scene, and living in overpriced apartments in not-so-great neighborhoods, we decided it may be best to leave New York. So, in November 2006, we ended up in Burlington, Vermont. We both love being close to the mountains. In the winter, we snowboard as much as we can, and in the summer, hiking & gardening became our favorite pastimes. And sure enough, in October 2007, we tied the knot out in Waitsfield.

After spending a year working in Vermont at Penny Cluse Café, Smokejack’s and Christophe’s, we decided that it was time for us to try to make our own mark on the Vermont food scene. After bouncing around countless ideas, we finally came up with donuts. We’re both donut lovers and there was no good place to get them in Burlington. A perfect fit!!!

So, in February 2008 Dinky Donuts was born!