Paola Velez in Conversation for Bodega Bakes

Paola Velez, James Beard Award-nominated pastry chef and cofounder of Bakers Against Racism in conversation for Bodega Bakes: Recipes for Sweets and Treats Inspired by My Corner Store, moderated by Roxana Jullapat, baker and co-owner of Friends & Family. Book signing and meet and greet to follow.

A baking book bursting with joy that will have you hightailing it to the oven—and planning a trip to your local corner store.
Growing up in the Bronx, Paola Velez’s happy place was the bodega, a unique world full of color and flavor where the shelves were stocked with everything from M&M’s to Muenster cheese to majarete (Caribbean corn pudding)—and, of course, its own cat (IYKYK). Before she was the James Beard–nominated chef, Cherry Bombe cover girl, social media darling, and cofounder of the grassroots social action network, Bakers Against Racism, Paola was a bodega kid with a taste for Warheads, Hostess cupcakes, ice pops, and Malta soda.
Paola’s debut cookbook, inspired by these treasures and other ingredients available at corner stores everywhere, is a love letter to both her Dominican heritage and her New York City roots; its more than 100 recipes burst with distinctive flavors, inviting you to enjoy new takes on her childhood favorites and yours. Paola’s combination of classical training and self-taught pastry skills means her recipes are accessible no matter your skill level. She’ll be your hype girl through more ambitious projects (you can make a turnover—and a Guava and Cheese one at that), as well as more “set it and forget it” treats, like her Maria Cookie Icebox Cake. Whatever you do, don’t sleep on her signature Thick’ems—giant cookies that are somehow crunchy and gooey—the most requested recipe in Paola’s repertoire and the recipe that made her internet famous, which she shares here for the very first time here. With renditions of traditional Caribbean desserts like Pineapple Empanadillas and Golden Rum Cake alongside twists on classic American treats like sticky buns and brownies, Paola’s unique recipes and infectious positive spirit will help you recreate the magic of the bodega at home—BYO cat.

Paola Velez, an award-winning chef, entrepreneur, and community activist, is set to release her debut cookbook, "Bodega Bakes: Recipes for Sweets and Treats Inspired by My Corner Store," in October 2024. Raised in the Bronx and the Dominican Republic, Velez draws inspiration from her Afro-Latina culinary heritage. She has received numerous accolades and nominations, including being recognized as "Pastry Chef of the Year" by Esquire and "Best New Chef" by Food & Wine. Velez was also nominated as "Rising Star Chef of The Year" by the James Beard Foundation. After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu, Velez gained experience working under culinary icons such as Jacques Torres and Christina Tosi. In addition, she has presented at prestigious events and has been featured in publications like Food Network, The Art of Plating, Time Out, Cherry Bombe, and Instyle Magazine.

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