Taylor Foster on baking, modeling, and making beauty in Bovina

Interview Michael Mundy
Photography Robin Li
Creative Direction John Paul Tran
Styling Yuiko Ikebata
Makeup Kaori Soda
Video Zexi Qi
Producer Moani Lee
Photo Assistant Heng Qing Zhao

Taylor Foster has moved through many worlds: first Miami, then New York City, and now the subtle expanse of Upstate New York. She began with pastry, slipped into modeling, and later built a small café called Heaven, a gathering place as much as a business. Today she lives in a cabin, where her attention has turned to holistic skincare. 

Many people know you first as a model, but you also trained as a pastry chef and worked with some remarkable people in that field. Can you share a little about that journey—who you worked with and what you’re focused on now?

Well, I got my associate’s degree in baking at the Culinary Institute of America. From there, I worked at King and Lance, a health spa in Tucson, AZ. I’ve always been more health-minded—vegan things and gluten-free things. So I had a recipe development office there and developed new recipes for the different programs. That was a really great springboard and challenge for me. And that was back in ’96, a long time ago.

Yeah, that is a long time ago.

So I did that, and then I started modeling because I wanted to open a bakery—that was my lifelong dream—and I was flat broke. So I thought, maybe I should try modeling again. I could save some money to open a bakery. Right when I started modeling again, it was like this moment that kind of hit hard for me—which was great. And I ran with it. But then I got burned out on fashion, so I started working at another restaurant, Daniel’s in the city.

I think that’s where I met you, no? I seem to recall, or maybe it was just after that.

I think it was, actually, because I remember I had short hair when I shot with you. I was working in the kitchen there, so I chopped it all off. And that was lovely. I had gone from traveling the world, shooting for Vogue, watching runways, and then I went into the kitchen of an amazing five-star restaurant in New York City. I just made my chocolates, and no one cared about anything else other than how good they were. I was making six dollars an hour, which was a huge difference.

Above: knit top by Baja East, drawstring pants by TSE, coat by Marissa Web; right: plaid jumpsuit Electric Feathers, gold necklace model’s own

Where were you born and raised?

Miami. Yeah, I know, another oddity about me.

And what was life growing up in Miami like for you?

I mean, it was good. I grew up mostly in Miami, but we had a house just south of Islamorada, in the Keys. So I spent a lot of time in the Keys too, grew up on boats, snorkeling and in the ocean. When you think of Miami, you think of the city, which of course it is, but it’s sprawling. I grew up in Kendall, which is very different now.

When did baking start for you?

Always. I was one of those kids who, at four years old, when asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” would respond, “I want to be a bakery.” My mom corrected me—“you mean a baker?”—and I’d say, “No, a bakery.” I always loved math too, which goes hand in hand with needing to know formulas.

Were you baking at an early age or just dreaming about it?

Oh yeah, I was always baking and experimenting. I remember my first cookbooks. I remember finding the Fanny Farmer Baking Book, a big hardcover—I read it cover to cover. I tried making lollipops and weird things. But it was great, I always loved it.

“I came up to Delaware County, and it struck me in a whole new way. I fell in love with the openness and beauty. I went back to the city, looked online, and saw the building on Main Street in Bovina. I just fell hard.”

You eventually moved to Manhattan, became a model, became a successful chef. So when did you find your home upstate?

I think it was shortly after I met you. I got laid off after September 11th at Daniel’s. They closed down lunch permanently after that, and since I was one of the last hired, I was one of the first to go. That threw me back into modeling. Around then, I bought my first house. Maybe 2002.

Where was your first house?

In a little town called Grahamsville in Ulster County, right on the border with Sullivan County. That was short-lived—I was engaged, we bought it together, the relationship fell apart, and I didn’t get the house. Then I spent a lot of time with a friend in Roscoe, in this one-room converted schoolhouse on 60 acres. He paid $600 a month on a $100,000 place. I thought, “Wait, this is doable.” Then I came up to Delaware County, and it struck me in a whole new way. I fell in love with the openness and beauty. I went back to the city, looked online, and saw the building on Main Street in Bovina. I just fell hard.

Why?

It was an 1860s building that had been a restaurant. The main floor was a commercial space and upstairs had two beautiful lofted apartments. Two days later my then-husband and I drove up. It was one of those rainy, miserable days. We walked through the whole place, got back in the car, and I just started crying. I didn’t even know how I would buy it, but I made an offer. It was accepted. I figured it out. That’s how I got my first place here.

Above: Black knit dress by Linie

Amazing. And that became what?

That was Heaven, the café I opened. My plan worked. I modeled, saved money, bought the building, and opened the bakery.

Your dream came true.

Yes. I wasn’t expecting to start it then. I didn’t have much money, I didn’t know the area, I didn’t know a single person in town. But I fell in love with the building and thought, “This is it.”

This beautiful girl moves into town, opens a bakery—what did the town think?

They loved it. And I was thankful to end up where I did because it was such a supportive community. Looking back, it was risky to open a business knowing nothing about the area. But the community came in—a mix of city people and locals. Everyone was supportive.

So how did you find your spot where you are now?

I bought the house across from the café, a five-bedroom I ran briefly as a bed and breakfast—before Airbnb. I had too many people coming, and no good places to recommend. So I ran three rooms, but with the café and all the baking and the business side, I burned out. I was still modeling and doing commercial work to support it all. It was too much. Eventually, I realized I wanted privacy, off Main Street. Then, by chance, a friend suggested I should build from scratch. I hadn’t thought of that. But I looked at a property, made an offer, and got it.

“My plan worked. I modeled, saved money, bought the building, and opened the bakery.”

Definitely meant to be.

Yes. My husband at the time was a fashion photographer, but he loved building. So we built the cabin ourselves.

That’s incredible. Let’s talk about the cabin. You’re not the typical woman—it’s a rustic cabin.

There’s no running water, no electricity. It’s super rustic, but I love it. It works because I have a community of friends—I do laundry, shower at their homes, fill water bottles. That makes it possible.

What’s home like when you’re there? Are you baking? Creating?

The only oven on the property is a propane oven in a trailer. I bake bread, cookies, quiches there. But about a year ago, I started making skincare. I enjoy following passions.

What’s your skincare line called?

It’s under Heaven but called Cloud Nine. Cloud Nine was first the B&B, then the vintage clothing shop inside Heaven. When I started skincare, I kept the name. I’ve always done skincare for myself. It’s similar to baking—alchemy, mixing, layering ingredients. I’ve always been drawn to scent.

Above: Chunky sweater by IRO, white skirt and hat model’s own; right: sweater and pants by Marissa Web, chunky neck scarf BLK DNM

Is there a typical day at the cabin?

Very seasonal. A lot of work. To wash dishes, I fetch water from a mountain pipe, boil it for hot water, and dump it outside. It makes you appreciate everything.

It certainly puts things in perspective.

Yeah, it does. We’re so disconnected from that. Then I go to the city and think, “Look at all this free-flowing water!”

You’ve mentioned “community” a few times. What’s it like upstate for you?

It’s a big part of why we’re moving up full-time now. I’ve been here ten years. From the beginning, I felt more social here than in the city. Dinner parties, comfort, connections—it’s so different. In the city I feel isolated, even surrounded by people. Here, I know who to call, or even just stop by.

That’s something we’ve learned too. Running water, neighbors—it all shifts your values.

I love having friends visit, especially kids. They’re honest: “What do you mean, no TV? Too many bugs!” And I tell them, “We’re in a cabin. This is it.” It’s re-educating people, in a way.

“In the city I feel isolated, even surrounded by people. Here, I know who to call, or even just stop by.”

So what’s next? Will you be full-time up here?

Yes. I’m transferring my son Duncan after Christmas break. We’ll be full-time. I’m excited. We’re also talking about starting a progressive school here.

How does your son see you?

He’s six now and understands better, though it was hard at first. He’s strong-willed. Raising him shows me how much patience I lack! I used to think I was patient, but then I met my son.

Maybe one day he’ll see what a gift this is.

Yes. I love that our home is small. It forces closeness. If you need space, we have 22 acres—go outside.

I walked into your place and felt comfortable right away.

That’s what I want—for everyone to feel welcome, like one big community. At the end of the day, we all want love. If I can create an environment that makes people feel that, I’ve done well.

Published in the print edition of the DVEIGHT, issue 5.