Lorin Peters is an Austin, Texas native and University of Texas alumna with a culinary background consisting of over 10 years as a savory chef, including a turn as a chef de partie at three-Michelin Star restaurant The French Laundry, a Thomas Keller-owned restaurant. Now, the talented chef is using the pandemic as an opportunity to pivot to a new career path.

Peters has launched Cookie Rich, an Austin-based cookie bakery that offers something different while also infusing the classic flavors and textures that make homemade cookies so good. The bite-size treats are crafted from two scratch-made cookies sealed together with a filling. Each cookie has a pillowy texture and curvy shape resulting in a light product with a memorable taste.

Cookie Rich features ten playful flavors with rotating, seasonal varieties set to be introduced each quarter. Current menu favorites include Funfetti + Sprinkle Cream Cheese, a funfetti sugar cookie with a rainbow sprinkle cream cheese filling; and Chocolate Chip + Dark Chocolate Fudge, an upgraded chocolate chip cookie with a dark chocolate fudge filling. Flavors for the holidays include Gingerbread + Orange Zest, a soft gingerbread cookie with a whipped cream cheese filling with fresh orange zest folded in.

Cookies can be purchased in boxes of four for $15 or by the dozen for $33, with an option of chef’s choice. The treats are also available to be catered for special occasions such as weddings, celebrations, virtual happy hours and more.

The company was born out of late-night R&D sessions in Peters’ home kitchen. Cookie Rich is now located in a local commercial kitchen and is taking orders for pick-up and delivery across Austin with statewide shipping coming soon.

“I’ve always been passionate about experimenting with homemade desserts, so embarking on a journey into the baking world felt like a natural next step,” says Peters. “Pivoting my career and launching a cookie business is my silver lining during a challenging pandemic year.”