Bad Batch Cravings debuts mini doughnuts, dirty sodas with pop-up in Champion
After 17 years in the food industry, Julia Peterson took a chance and brought her own business to Champion Township called Bad Batch Cravings.
“It took off more than I couldn’t have fathomed, I didn’t expect the turnout that I got,” she said. “From the moment I opened at 11 a.m., I had a lot of people stop by who saw my posts shared on Facebook. It was truly something out of a movie. I couldn’t have pictured it going any better than what I did. I can’t wait to see where it goes, and I really can’t wait to see what this becomes.”
Peterson debuted Bad Batch Craving at a pop-up event on May 16 at Graceful Beauty Lounge LLC on Mahoning Avenue, owned by Heidi and Daniel Davis.
At Bad Batch Cravings, Peterson makes mini cake doughnuts made fresh and paired with toppings like chocolate and vanilla drizzle with crushed Oreos and whipped cream.
“I grew up in Champion and decided this is the community that I want to base my business out of,” she said. “I always followed food trucks; if I’m going to eat anywhere, I would prefer a food truck. It’s always been in the back of my mind, and I love food, but especially sweets. I can’t say enough good things about the Champion community.”
Peterson began making doughnuts last Christmas after a gift from her boyfriend.
“He bought me my machine - my doughnut is different from any other mini doughnut that you’re going to find. I do a baked doughnut, which means they’re a little more cake-like. They’re not fried in any oils, so it’s similar to the waffle-iron style. It’s served immediately, a hot and fresh type of doughnut,” she said. “I make my own batter, and it’s a whole experience coming to Bad Batch Cravings.”
Bad Batch Cravings’ next pop-up event begins at noon on May 31 at Graceful Beauty Lounge.
“When I started this, I did a pre-order for practice,” Peterson said. “I offered them super discounted, and people could message me what flavors they wanted. I had a peanut butter chocolate doughnut on there with peanut butter, chocolate and chopped Reese’s. At my first pop-up, I took it off the menu because it didn’t sell well in the pre-orders. You wouldn’t believe how many people came wanting that specific flavor, and I didn’t even have anything ready for it, no peanut butter or Reece’s. That’s something that I’m adding back for the next pop-up.”
In addition to mini doughnuts, Peterson also serves dirty sodas at Bad Batch Cravings. After requests for diet dirty sodas, Peterson said she’s also planning on adding diet options made with sugar-free syrups.
“There was one dirty soda that I added to my menu last minute, called Toxic Crush, and it’s really just raspberry, green apple, Sprite and a blue raspberry cold foam that I hand mix. I almost sold out of blue raspberry and I added it completely last minute to the menu. It was something different: colorful, bright and summery.”
