Gourmand

Get excited, because this week’s guests are Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald of Levain Bakery. You know those thick, huge, decadent-looking cookies you’ve been seeing all over Instagram? That’s all thanks to Levain. Started in 1995, there are now 8 Levains around the country for all your cookie fixes—like our favorite, the world famous chocolate chip walnut cookie.

In today’s episode, we hear about the story of how Pam and Connie first met, what it was like opening the bakery in NY’s UWS 25 years ago, and how Levain is advocating for world peace, one cookie at a time. 

This episode uses Royalty Free Music - (Music: www.bensound.com)

Today we are here to talk about all things ice cream with Pooja Bavishi, founder of Malai in Brooklyn, NY. You may know Malai for their unique take on ice cream, with flavors ranging from rose with cinnamon roasted almonds to red chili chocolate.

Today we chat about Pooja’s childhood and her love of desserts inspired by Mrs. Fields cookies, how a Friendsgiving kicked off Pooja’s ice cream journey, and flavor combinations inspired by Pooja’s upbringing. Let’s dig in.

This episode uses Royalty Free Music - (Music: www.bensound.com)

On today's episode, we’re sitting down with Chef Eunji Lee. Eunji is the executive pastry chef at two Michelin Star restaurant Jungsik in New York City, which has been dubbed “the most elegant Korean restaurant in America” by Eater. Most known for her “baby banana” dessert, Eunji's style combines classic French techniques with Korean flavors in what may be one of the best dessert tastings in New York.

Listen to hear all about what it was like moving to Paris at 19 years old, Eunji's experience making it to the finals on a French cooking show, the unexpected magic of corn desserts, and what the world of fine dining looks like during the pandemic.

This episode uses Royalty Free Music - (Music: www.bensound.com)

In today's episode, we sit down with Bobbie Lloyd, Chief Baking and Operating Officer at Magnolia Bakery. Magnolia is a bonafide New York City institution—you probably know them for their cupcakes (complete with that signature Magnolia frosting swirl!) or their famous Banana Pudding. While they started as a small bakery in NYC, there are now 25 stores worldwide.

Today we chat about Bobbie's wide-ranging experiences coming up in the food world, favorite flavor combinations at Magnolia Bakery, and what the process of writing a cookbook looks like.

This episode uses Royalty Free Music - (Music: www.bensound.com)

On today's show, we’re speaking to pastry all-star Anna McGorman. She’s the co-creator of the cronut, ex-executive pastry chef at the Dinex Group, and now serves as culinary director at Milk Bar, a beloved powerhouse in the dessert world helmed by Christina Tosi. You’ve probably (or, definitely) seen their iconic birthday cake, truffles, and cereal milk soft serve all over your Instagram feed.

Anna’s done it all, from large restaurants to fine dining to bakeries. Stay tuned for stories involving life-changing bonbons and mountains of onions. We’ll also chat about Milk Bar’s newest project which, hint, promises to bring their treats even closer to home.

Thank you to Eion Rogers and Dide Olmez for your help on the team. This episode uses Royalty Free Music - (Music: www.bensound.com).

In this first episode of Season 1, Sweet Treats, we chat with Joanne Chang, founder of Flour Bakery in Boston, MA. Joanne went from Harvard grad & consultant to renowned pastry chef, 5 time cookbook author, and sticky bun queen! As the recipient of the James Beard Award for Outstanding Baker, she now operates 9 Flour bakeries in Boston and Cambridge, in addition to sister restaurant Myers+Chang.

Today we chat about her time at Harvard as the Chocolate chip cookie girl, the challenges and struggles of opening a new bakery, and what she’d do if she won the lottery.

Thank you to Eion Rogers and Dide Olmez for your help on the team. This episode uses Royalty Free Music - (Music: www.bensound.com); photo of Joanne is by Kristin Teig.