Better than Unicorns

Unicorn Cake

Right before back-to-school time, I teach a baking class at Cucina Casalinga's kids camp. When planning, it’s always a challenge to find the perfect thing to impress the kids and teach them some baking and decorating skills. Thanks to Food Network and social media, these kids have seen it all. This year, our unicorn cakes were a big hit! We iced, piped, and sprinkled our way to some amazing creations. Such talent!

Unicorns aside, the best part of the day for me is to spend time in the kitchen with my friend Sally. Calling her a “friend” is a little limiting. She’s so beyond.

I met Sally,  way back when our cookbooks first came out. I was promoting my second book, Sweet Maria’s Cake Kitchen and she her classic Festa del Giardino We were part of Connecticut authors day organized by RJ Julia in Madison. Our demos to promote our books were housed in a school not far from the bookstore. I arrived early and ended up seeing most of Sally's demo. She told stories of her youth, family and food while effortlessly flipping a zucchini frittata.

We definitely connected on a personal and professional level. How amazing to find this woman , a family and self-taught chef, teacher, writer and author. She generously scheduled me to teach classes at her school in Wilton, Cucina Casalinga,  I never really thought much about teaching. What could I show people? I had always been a little skittish about ending up in the culinary world without any formal training ( Mom and Grandma, and part-time bakery work aside)  Sally convinced me I had knowledge to share and basically taught me how to teach.

She also became a partner in navigating the culinary world. What a gift . She taught me not only to teach baking, but how to share a part of yourself, your family, your heritage, your food.

That's way better than unicorns.

Unicorn Cake Mania!

Me and Sally…awhile ago!