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What a joy it was to be asked to create the dessert course for Downtown Welcome Table’s annual fundraising gala!
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Served 130 of these beauties - red velvet beet cake, cream cheese whipped ganache, cocoa nib nougatine, raspberry two ways!
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Thanks for including me in this fabulous night, @johnfleer123 ! It was a joy to cook alongside @rhubarbavl , @piccolina.avl , and @coppercrownavl !

What a joy it was to be asked to create the dessert course for Downtown Welcome Table’s annual fundraising gala!
.
Served 130 of these beauties - red velvet beet cake, cream cheese whipped ganache, cocoa nib nougatine, raspberry two ways!
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Thanks for including me in this fabulous night, @johnfleer123 ! It was a joy to cook alongside @rhubarbavl , @piccolina.avl , and @coppercrownavl !

If you were waiting for a sign to wallpaper your ceiling, maybe this is it. 😍 Big swing, big reward!
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Obsession-worthy wallpaper by @miltonandking

@forbes likes it - maybe you do, too? Link in bio to read the full article!

At the end of 2015, Leo urged me to come work with him at Trove. I’d been wanting to get back into the restaurant world and plated desserts, and Leo told me they needed a pastry cook where he was working. I went in for a stage, and met Renee.

I ended up being Renee’s Sous Chef for over 2 years. In that time, I got to learn from a master. Menus would change constantly, every new dish as great as the last - I was perpetually awed. Every time the menus would flip, she would print out recipe books for each of us so we’d have our own copies. I kept every single one of those recipes and use them to this day. So many of the recipes I got from Renee I’ve used to inspire new dishes and adapt for new needs. She effectively wrote my pastry bible.

Renee was one of the pickiest eaters I’ve maybe ever known, but boy did she have good taste. Her standards were incredibly high. She was hardworking and always striving for something great. Unfortunately, the world wasn’t always ready for what she brought to the table. That’s a way in which I know she struggled, and her brilliance leaving this world with her is a loss to us all.

The last time I saw Renee was a couple of years ago. Leo and I were driving from Stanley to Seattle, so we stopped for a couple days in Spokane to see her. During that visit, I told her how much she meant to me. How I owe my pastry career to her. How important her influence on me had been and continues to be. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to tell her that then, because I’d hate for her to die without hearing it. She touched so many lives and careers - I know I’m not the only one.

Even though she’s no longer with us, her legacy will live on in every dish I create. Using the recipes she left me offers a unique type of comfort. Her food still bringing joy to people who she’ll never meet, and who will never know her name, is it’s own type of immortality. I’m lucky enough to have had her as my mentor and one of my greatest teachers.

An unparalleled mind, a loving heart, a treasured friend, and a member of my personal Pastry Coven is gone too soon. May her memory be a blessing.

@potentialnewbf , Valentine’s Day is both a marathon and a sprint. ❤️ Love to all who chose to celebrate with us!
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Little Red Corvette - red velvet cake, cream cheese ganache, cocoa nib nougatine, raspberry gel, raspberry meringue
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Passion Pit - chocolate mousse layer cake, passion fruit gel, black sesame tuile
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London Calling - earl grey soufflé cake, mascarpone ganache, black currant earl grey gel, black currant meringue sticks

@potentialnewbf , Valentine’s Day is both a marathon and a sprint. ❤️ Love to all who chose to celebrate with us!
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Little Red Corvette - red velvet cake, cream cheese ganache, cocoa nib nougatine, raspberry gel, raspberry meringue
.
Passion Pit - chocolate mousse layer cake, passion fruit gel, black sesame tuile
.
London Calling - earl grey soufflé cake, mascarpone ganache, black currant earl grey gel, black currant meringue sticks

@potentialnewbf , Valentine’s Day is both a marathon and a sprint. ❤️ Love to all who chose to celebrate with us!
.
Little Red Corvette - red velvet cake, cream cheese ganache, cocoa nib nougatine, raspberry gel, raspberry meringue
.
Passion Pit - chocolate mousse layer cake, passion fruit gel, black sesame tuile
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London Calling - earl grey soufflé cake, mascarpone ganache, black currant earl grey gel, black currant meringue sticks

A little late but worth the wait! I finally got a digital copy of the full page @eastforkpottery ad that ran in the @nytimes in October! That’s my food! 🤭 Made and styled by yours truly. 💁🏻🥹 Thanks for the love, East Fork!

Did I show this pretty lady off yet?
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💚The Matcha Cloud💚
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Matcha-Lime Mousse, Matcha Almond Sablé, Yogurt Cremeux, Jasmine Tapioca, Lime Gel, Coconut Meringue Crunch
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Only @potentialnewbf

Sometimes I’m strong-armed into being a grilled cheese chef. Am I mad about it? Nah. 😁
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Braised Kale, Butternut Squash Compote, Gruyère, @motheravl Bread
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Only @potentialnewbf

Snow bois!!! 🥹❄️😭❄️😭❄️😭❄️

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
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Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
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@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
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Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
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@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
.
Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
.
@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
.
Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
.
@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
.
Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
.
@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
.
Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
.
@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
.
Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
.
@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
.
Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
.
@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
.
Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
.
@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
.
Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
.
@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
.
Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
.
@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
.
Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
.
@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
.
Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
.
@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
.
Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
.
@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
.
Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
.
@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
.
Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
.
@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
.
Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
.
@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
.
Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
.
@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
.
Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
.
@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It turns out a perfectly snowy, delicious, theatre and music-filled long birthday weekend with @leo_of_the_woods in NYC was exactly what I needed. I think 42 is gonna be a good year. 🥳
.
Thank you everyone for all the happy birthday wishes!
.
@civilianhotel @shukettenyc @ohmaryplay @deathbecomesher @russanddaughters @katzsdeli @wenwenbk @hanoi.house @brooklynmuseum @oysterbarbrooklyn @ciaogloria @dutyfreerecords @smallslive @kissakissa.us and many more 🤩

It’s hard to tell in this photo precisely how BIG this Baked Alaska is, but it’s like the size of a toddler’s head. I made 11 of these bad boys (plus 12 minis!) to ring in the new year! 🎊
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Amarena cherry ice cream, Ferraro Rocher ice cream, and pistachio cake, all enrobed in toasted meringue. 🤌🤌🤌
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I’m at home nursing a cold this evening, eating soup and watching Weapons (an appropriate combo, it turns out), and I’ll see y’all in 2026! 🎇🎇🎇
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📷 @beccabelaire

A new bed for the good boys to take camping. 🥰 Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. 🐶🐶

A new bed for the good boys to take camping. 🥰 Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. 🐶🐶