Stephen El Gidi, a former Olympic swimmer, is making waves once again, but this time, it’s not in the pool. El Gidi, who competed in the 100-meter butterfly event during the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, is venturing into the dessert business. His new coffee and dessert shop, Drizzle Cheesecakes, will open on January 18, 2025, in Irving, Texas.
Despite his athletic background, El Gidi’s new venture comes as no surprise. “I love chocolate,” he shared, explaining his passion for sweets. But there’s more to it. El Gidi is known for his competitive spirit, which drives him to succeed in everything he does.
The Journey to Dessert Entrepreneurship
The journey to Drizzle Cheesecakes began before the COVID-19 pandemic. El Gidi, originally from Libya and raised in Canada, started a side hustle selling cheesecakes at summer festivals. His treats quickly gained popularity, sparking an idea: why not sell his desserts at Six Flags Over Texas, the famous amusement park based in Arlington?
Although El Gidi had never been to Texas, he set his sights high. He began emailing Six Flags staff every month, offering his cheesecakes. The response? Silence, or occasional rejection. But for El Gidi, this only fueled his drive.
“I wasn’t going to give up,” El Gidi said. In mid-2021, he decided to go all in. He researched and found email contacts for every staff member at Six Flags. Then, he emailed them all.
Persistence Pays Off
His persistence paid off when he received a response from a Six Flags employee who had received multiple emails from him. He was invited to showcase his cheesecakes at the park’s Holiday in the Park event, just three weeks away.
Not wanting to risk losing the opportunity, El Gidi quickly booked a flight to Texas. “What if they lose interest by March?” he thought. This decision marked the beginning of his rise in the dessert world.
Success at the State Fair of Texas
By 2022, El Gidi’s cheesecakes gained recognition at the State Fair of Texas, where he was accepted as a concessionaire. In 2023, his Biscoff Delight cheesecake won the coveted “Best Taste-Sweet” award at the Big Tex Choice Awards. The cheesecake, served on a stick and coated in rich Belgian chocolate, became a must-try treat. The popularity of his creations led to lines lasting over an hour at the fair.
For El Gidi, the State Fair of Texas has become his new “Olympic Games.” His dedication and competitive nature continue to drive him forward as he opens his new shop in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
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