It was a fun time last night celebrating my friend Martin on his big publishing release date for his new cookbook… “GREAT BAKES.”
So good to see him again, chat with a few of his friends… and especially loved the sweets table full of treats from the new cookbook!!! All were AMAZING… especially the oversized “cherry pop-tart” & the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies! My two faves!!!
So now that it’s official released to the public… you gotta go buy a copy or two of Martin’s cookbook “GREAT BAKES.” And then leave a review on Amazon to help boost his ratings & visibility. Thanks!!!
A quick “flashback” to last Sunday when my high school friend Jennifer stopped by with her family at the GLENVIEW SUMMER ART FAIR. Always good to see longtime friends… and their great kids! And there’s a good chance that Sophia “may have” gone away with a couple freebie mugs gifted to her… for her upcoming college apartment! Perhaps two new shaped mugs… coming soon to an art fair near you…
A huge CONGRATULATIONS… and a Flashback Friday… to My Talented Friend, master baker & potter Martin Sorge!!! I just got my copies of his first cookbook “GREAT BAKES” through pre-order… open sales begin August 4th! So exciting… so beautiful, great photography, great styling, and I’m confident the recipes will be AMAZING as well!!!
We first met Martin when he signed-up for one of my pottery classes. He mentioned that he makes handmade OREOs… done! Then he mentioned that he had filmed “The Great American Baking Show” which was going to air during our class session. Of course we watched.. and I decided we needed to “gamble” on it… each student randomly choosing a baker-player. And then when their player was voted out, they had to bring snacks to our pottery class based on their losing recipe!!! Reality TV, gambling AND snacks???… I’m in!!!
SPOILER ALERT…
So as the show played out with judges Dame Prue & Paul Hollywood under the same “Great British Bake-Off” tent in England… we kept seeing this cast of American bakers strutting their stuff challenge after challenge. And Martin kept making it through & becoming the Star Baker a couple times even while baking with corn several times. By the end of the show… Martin was in the Finale… and eventually WON THE SHOW!!! Huge congrats Martin!!!
So then we decided we had to throw a big surprise party for Martin for our last class potluck. I invited the two other Chicago bakers from the show to join us – as they had all three become close friends. So Sarah & Nirali surprised Martin, partied with us… and even threw their first pots on the wheel. So much fun!!!
But after winning the show… what do you do next???
Well… Martin has taken his culinary skills to the next level… and written a full-on cookbook!!! Full of amazing recipes & photos. It’s already getting some big buzz… including from Bon Appetit !!! Listing his book as one of “The Best New Cookbooks of Summer 2026.” Be sure to go out and get one of Martin’s cookbooks… pre-order now… or buy it after August 4th!!!
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Congrats Martin… we’re all so proud of you & excited for your new adventure!!! Your book is a huge achievement, a ton of work & it all looks AMAZING!!! And any time you need more taste-testers… we’re in!!!
Garden fun!!! Kristy & Matthew in Stevens Point, Wisconsin are participating in their local garden walk this weekend. And featuring a few of my ceramic novelties in their garden. Always fun to see some pottery, birdhouses & rusty metal popping up amongst the flowers! Thanks for sharing Kristy… and have fun showing off your garden!!!
Kicking off Day Two of the NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR with a little PARTY!!! Be sure to wish Kenyon a “Happy Birthday” when you stop by today! We’re open from 10:00am-5:00pm at the Sandwich location… pottery tour stop #5!!!
And thanks to Natalie for baking last night after a long & sweaty Day One of the tour!!!
Looks like my friend Rhonda has cut a few yellow flowers from her garden… some beautiful iris & a couple yellow peonies! Luckily, she had two of my square vases ready for simple arrangements. Thanks for sharing Rhonda… you know how I LOVE your yellow peonies!!!
Another warm Spring day… and it looks like little Theo may have found the first dandelion of the season! Luckily, he had the perfect little vase to put it in!!! Thanks for sharing Allyn!
Looks like an amazing “invasion” of giant pastries down in Peoria! Gotta love a good perspective shot… on a green stamped plate!!! Thanks Matthew & team for the early morning photos!!!
What do you do with a bunch of beautiful vintage buttons?!
Well, come to my condo this weekend to find out!!! It’s my Second Holiday Home Show. And my talented friend Rhonda Gurgone will be there with her fantastic jewelry made with antique buttons. Plus she knows the history & story of every button!!! Crazy cool, right???
