My Story

Giving Back

The Heart Behind Yaya’s Sweets

Featured by Bauman College

Welcome! I’m Frankie, a pastry chef with a passion for creating desserts that bring people together.

My journey has been shaped by perseverance, family, and the people who believed in me along the way. I faced neurological challenges from birth and spent years in physical, speech, and occupational therapy. Some doctors told my parents I might never walk or talk, but my dad looked them straight in the eye and said two words that have stayed with me my entire life:

“Watch him.”

When I was eight, my younger brother was diagnosed with Joubert Syndrome, which ultimately led doctors to discover that I had the condition as well. Through it all, I learned something that continues to guide me today:

A diagnosis doesn’t define you—your determination does.

I’m honored to have my journey featured by Bauman College in the article, “Watch Him: Frankie Tinley Jr. Defies Odds and Finds Purpose as a Holistic Chef.”

The feature shares more about my story, the challenges I’ve overcome, my culinary journey, and how I found purpose through helping others and pursuing my passion.

My Journey Into Baking

My journey eventually led me to Bauman College School of Culinary Arts and Nutrition, where I discovered another way to express myself and bring joy to others—through baking.

As I developed my skills in pastry, I realized baking could be more than something I loved to do. With the encouragement of my instructors and mentors, I began dreaming about creating something of my own.

That dream became Yaya’s Sweets.

For more than 10 years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with individuals with special needs as well as neurotypical individuals.

Giving back is especially meaningful to me because I remember the teachers, therapists, mentors, and others who believed in me growing up. Their patience, encouragement, and support helped shape who I am today and inspired me to do the same for others.

Sometimes, believing in someone can make all the difference.

Yaya’s Sweets was inspired by my beloved grandmother, Yaya, who helped raise my brother and me. She lived just two houses down from our childhood home and welcomed us after school with warm meals, homework help, and endless love.

One of my favorite treats she made was Biko, a traditional Filipino rice cake, which still holds a special place in my heart.

Today, my Yaya is back in the Philippines, bravely facing the challenges of dementia. Every dessert I create is a tribute to the love, care, and memories she gave our family.

Yaya’s Sweets is more than a business to me—it’s love, family, and legacy.

I hope every treat I create brings a little joy to your day and brings people together, just as food has always brought my family together.