Other
Cheri Swoboda
James Beard Award winner
- Discipline
- Other
i. Biography
Cheri Swoboda was already inside the business as manager of Mother Peach Caramels, LLC in 2010 before moving into ownership, and that sequence matters. It gave her a working view of the operation from the inside: how production moves, where consistency is won, and why small food businesses depend on discipline as much as product. The result is a career built from the floor up, with the company’s rhythms already known before the title of owner ever arrived.
Coming Up
The practical base of Cheri Swoboda’s career was set in 2010, when she began as manager at Mother Peach Caramels, LLC. That role put her close to the day-to-day work of the company, where standards were immediate and the pace was hands-on. From that position, she built the working knowledge and confidence that later supported ownership. The progression from manager to owner at Mother Peach Caramels is a direct one: first learning the operation in detail, then taking responsibility for it.
Where They Are Now
Mother Peach Caramels is now owned by Cheri Swoboda in Portland, where the business continues under her direction. Her specialty is caramels, made in small batches with a rich, buttery style. The format speaks to close attention and steady control, with each batch carrying the same care required to keep the work consistent. In Portland, the company reflects a balance of craft and identity shaped by Swoboda’s experience inside the business itself.
Signature
Cheri Swoboda's signature dishes include Mother Peach Hazelnut Caramels. As a named confection, it sits squarely within the company’s identity and her own approach to the work. It is specific without being elaborate, and it gives a clear read on the kind of product Mother Peach Caramels is known for. In that sense, Mother Peach Hazelnut Caramels functions as a clean summary of the craft Swoboda has developed through her years with the business.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Cheri
Where did Cheri Swoboda work before?
Cheri Swoboda's earlier career included Mother Peach Caramels, LLC.
What is Cheri Swoboda known for?
caramels.
