At the age of 16, Sophie began cooking for her father and brothers as well as the hired hands on the ranch during the summer and early fall to save money for college.
Sophie attended California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo) and graduated with a degree in home economics in 1912.
In 1925, Sophie and Harry sold the bread business and started Mrs. Cubbison’s Melba toast and Zwieback.
In 1925, The Mayo Brothers prescribed the “Eighteen Day Reducing Diet” to Ethel Barrymore which included Melba toast.
Because Sophie used Melba toast for her own cooking when she breaded or stuffed meats and vegetables, she decided to introduce a new line of Melba toasted, all-purpose prepared Poultry Dressing and Corn Bread Stuffing.