Bon Appétit

Wally Amos, the iconic founder of Famous Amos cookies, shares his rollercoaster journey from talent agent to cookie pioneer. His charisma made him a pop-culture icon, but behind the sweet facade, he dealt with personal turmoil, including five marriages and financial missteps. His daughter, Sarah Amos, navigates their complex family dynamics, revealing how her father's quest for fame and validation impacted their lives. As she uncovers his story, she grapples with the balance of celebrating his legacy while confronting the realities of his choices.

Finally, Jesse, BA's resident cookie expert, treats the Bake Club to his latest creation: Chocolate Chip Cookies With Olive Oil and Sea Salt. In this episode, Jesse and Shilpa discuss how this accidentally vegan chocolate chip cookie came together. They explore the best methods to ensure the perfect chocolate distribution in the cookie and what Jesse meant by cooking flour to the color of ‘desert sand’. Plus, listeners share how they managed with the October Bake Club treat and cookie enthusiast Dorie Greenspan (of xoxoDorie) tells us when to tap and not to tap our cookie sheets on the counter.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This episode is from our friends at Milk Street Radio. Bon Appétit columnist Maggie Hennessy helps us navigate the new rules of dining out. Is it ever OK to take out your phone? What’s the best way to grab your server’s attention? And how fussy is too fussy?  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Hold onto your piping bags, Bake Club! In September, Jesse set bakers a showstopper-worthy challenge in his Banana Pudding Paris-Brest. In this episode, he and Shilpa break down the many worthwhile steps for making this "drag queen of French desserts." They're also joined by superstar baker Zoë François (of the ZoëBakes newsletter) to answer a listener question about conventional vs convection ovens.Recipes & Links:Pictures: Jeannine's choux tire, Elyse's choux ring, Katy's bananasZoe's Raspberry Paris-BrestJoin us on Substack!You can find all the BA Bake Club recipes, including this one, here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We'll say it: late summer is peak pie season. And August's Bake Club recipe - for Shilpa's cardamom-laced Peach-Blueberry Crumb Pie - provides an excellent reason to turn your oven on and crank up the AC. In this episode, Shilpa and Jesse commiserate about how frustrating pie crust seemed (at least until Shilpa developed her Actually Perfect Pie Crust), and why pre-cooking your fruit is the secret to tender, crispy crust and perfectly-set filling. They'll also answer listener questions and introduce Bake Clubbers to pie expert Erin Jeanne McDowell, author of The Book on Pie.Join us on Substack!You can find all the BA Bake Club recipes, including this one, here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this bonus episode of BA Bake Club, Jesse and Shilpa take the stage live at the Bell House in Brooklyn, NY to introduce a new audience to the club. They cover the rules of Bake Club and give a sample of the kinds of questions they answer on the podcast - plus share some baking horror stories of their own!Join us on Substack!Listen to the other interviews from the show on the This is TASTE podcast. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

For July's bake, you all brought out your dutch ovens to make Jesse's crusty-yet-tender Cheddar Jalepeño loaf. On this episode, Shilpa and Jesse break down the process of making this same-day, no-knead bread and answer listener questions about overnight proofing, filling options, and more!Join our new Substack chat!Watch Jesse demonstrate the stretch-and-fold process. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

June's bake, the delightfully tropical Hummingbird Cake, was the first Bake Club layer cake, and our listeners had questions! Jesse and Shilpa dig in to this iconic Southern cake and explain the differences between our recipe and the classic. Plus, they're joined by Great British Bake Off S1 winner Edd Kimber to answer a listener question and talk all things small batch baking.Buy tickets to STAY COOL: A Summer Food Podcast Evening here: https://www.thebellhouseny.com/staycool And, send us your baking questions and stories of your worst baking disasters at bakeclub@bonappetit.com or at this form to be featured on the live show! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this episode, Chris and Amiel Stanek answer a mix of questions from our inbox, about cooking in an AirBnb, Castelvetrano olives, what to do with a surplus of nuts, and more.Recipes & Links:Chris Morocco's Extremely Extra Travel Coffee KitSizzling Turmeric-Dill Fish TacosDate-Almond Party SnackKale Salad with Pecan VinaigretteAromatic Rice PilafChicken Tinga TostadasDinner by Meera Sodha Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Join Bronwen Wyatt, a talented New Orleans pastry chef known for her cake business, Bayou Saint Cake, as she dives into the delightful world of Coffee Cake Scones. She shares her experience transitioning from restaurant work to her own baking venture during the pandemic. The conversation explores the science behind scone-making, including innovative techniques and the role of fresh versus dried fruits in baking. Listeners can expect practical tips, engaging discussions about texture, and a sprinkle of community spirit!