IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Tammie Horsfield

Helping Sussex County businesses grow, By Laurie Gordon Tammie Horsfield is not only a twin, she is the eldest of nine children. She’s also a former gymnast and cake decorator. But most people do know of Tammie Horsfield. The President of the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce and Sussex County Economic Development Partnership Inc. has moved mountains over the past 20 years. The recipient of the 2008 Garden State Woman of the Year, 2009 NJ Association of Woman Business Owners Rose and Scroll Award and 2010 Sussex County Community College honoree for her service to the college and the community, Horsfield has made her mark in the county and the state. Here is her story. Horsfield started her life in Clifton/Garfield, then her family moved to Vernon in 1972. Twenty years ago, Horsfield was hired by the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce as part time executive director. There was only one other employee then, also part time. “It was still young,” she said. The membership was just cultivating and business was beginning to grow. Over the years she’s been with the chamber, it’s grown to over 700 members representing over 20,000 employees in the county. The Sussex County Chamber also has one of the best chamber member retention rates in the state of New Jersey. Today, there are five individuals on staff and the chamber also has seven other local chambers (affiliates) they call Chamber Councils. They have 15 committees and it has also formed an alliance with the Sussex County Economic Development Partnership to offer business start-up, expansion and retention services. The little girl from Clifton, who now calls Frankford Township home, is not only president of the chamber and the Economic Development Partnership but also all chamber affiliates. Most recently, The Sussex County Chamber of Commerce was appointed by the state of New Jersey as Sussex County’s Destination Marketing Organization. Horsfield is being certified by the Destination Marketing Association International (good housekeeping seal of travel and tourism) and the Chamber will explore the accreditation process as well. Since the recession, some businesses have closed, but Horsfield said they are seeing many first-time members join. “These new chamber members made the decision to market themselves using the chamber base as their platform. With a membership of our size and the benefits attached Sussex County businesses continue to see the value in our offerings.” Horsfield’s wish is to see Sussex County grow appropriately. she explained, “That we continue to have a diversified economy offering a little bit of everything for the residents and consumers.” Horsfield and her husband Jeff have two daughters, Lauren and Kate. The family has three dogs, two cats and a horse.

Tammie’s Carrot Cake Recipe
(Makes 2 or 3 loaf pans or 1-10”-12” cake pan)
4 eggs beaten
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup walnuts chopped
1 lb. carrots cooked and mashed
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
Beat eggs, add oil, gradually add sugar
Add nuts and carrots
Add dry ingredients and mix well.
Fill loaf pans or cake pan 2/3 of the way
Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes in a greased loaf pan or cake pan.
Insert butter knife to check. If knife comes out clean it is done.
Carrot Cake Frosting
(2 batches are needed for a 10’ cake or 2-3 loaf pans)
Mix 9 ounces of cream cheese with 3/4 cup softened butter
dash of salt
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cup confectioner sugar
Beat well and chill a little before frosting