Lulu Camarillo, Fountain Hills High School Class of 2024 graduate and Friends of the Library 2024 Opportunities Scholarship recipient, met with Fountain Hills Friends of the Library members during its meeting Tuesday, March 18, to share an update on her vocational educational plans and also provide a selection of sweet treats.

Last fall, Camarillo planned to attend EVIT’s Adult Culinary Program. Instead, she decided to launch her cottage bakery, Lulubelle Bakery LLC.

Arizona Cottage Food Laws allow micro and start-up entrepreneurs to begin on a simple level from their own home and, since becoming a licensed cottage baker, Camarillo has sold her specialty cookies at recent Presby Pickins market events as well as created custom orders for local special events.

Her sweet and savory flavored amaretti cookies (which are gluten and dairy-free) and her Lemon Lavender Lovelies – a European-style glazed shortbread cookie – have become two of her most popular offerings.

Camarillo recently enrolled at the Arizona Culinary Institute (ACI) in Scottsdale. Beginning March 31, the 10-month curriculum includes a six-week internship before she graduates in January 2026 with a diploma in culinary, baking and restaurant management.

According to a press release, Camarillo plans to continue building her cottage bakery business while pursuing her degree from ACI and would like to eventually have her own brick-and-mortar bakery location.

She currently shares pictures of her baked goods on her Instagram account, @lulubelle_bakery, and may be contacted for special orders on Instagram or by email at lulubelle.bakerybusiness@gmail.com.

Fountain Hills Friends of the Library is committed to education. Each year they offer two scholarships to high school graduates within the Fountain Hills community to further their post-secondary education. The Opportunities Scholarship is open to any graduating senior who lives in Fountain Hills, Rio Verde or the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, regardless of the high school attended. For more information, visit fhfl.org.