Debbi & Ashley Fields On Cookies, Family & Building Something Sweet

Today’s guests are Debbi and Ashley Fields, a mother and daughter who deeply love and appreciate cookies. Debbi is the founder of Mrs. Fields Cookies, while Ashley is an entrepreneur in her own right and the co-founder of Fields Good, a functional cookie brand that just launched this summer.  Debbi and Ashley join host Jessie Sheehan to talk about their earliest baking memories, their family’s love of cookies, and their special connection (Ashley is one of five daughters!). Debbi shares how she fell in love with baking chocolate chip cookies as a kid, why switching to butter changed everything, why using quality ingredients matters, and how she opened her first store in 1977 at just 21 years old. Ashley discusses what it was like growing up baking cookies with her mom and watching her operate a successful business. Ashley shares how she built her own company, from securing financing to recipe development, and the life lessons she learned from her mom. Fields Good Co. is not affiliated with Mrs. Fields.  Click here for more info on Page to Plate, featuring Melissa Clark of the New York Times in conversation with Jessie Sheehan. Subscribe to our Substack for more baking news and recipes. Click here to order The Game Changers Issue of Cherry Bombe Magazine. Visit cherrybombe.com for magazine subscriptions, tickets to upcoming events, and more. More on Debbi: Instagram More on Ashley: Instagram, Fields Good More on Jessie: Instagram, Substack, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Domenica Marchetti, cookbook author and food writer whose work focuses on Italian home cooking. She’s the author of nine cookbooks, including her latest, “Italian Cookies: Authentic Recipes and Sweet Stories from Every Region.” Domenica joins host Jessie Sheehan to talk about growing up in a food-loving Italian family in New Jersey, making holiday cookies with her mother, and how her travels throughout Italy led her to discover the country’s rich regional cookie traditions. Domenica also walks Jessie through her Canestrelletto di Torriglia recipe from “Italian Cookies.” These flower-shaped butter cookies from Liguria are made with just four ingredients and rely on careful technique for their delicate texture. Domenica explains how the cookies helped revive the economy of a small Genovese town, why the dough needs to rest overnight, and what makes this simple Italian cookie so special. Click here for Domenica’s Canestrelletti di Torriglia recipe.  Click here for tickets and more information on Cherry Bombe’s Farmers & Makers event.  Subscribe to our Substack for more baking news and recipes. Click here to order The Game Changers Issue of Cherry Bombe Magazine. Visit cherrybombe.com for magazine subscriptions, tickets to upcoming events, and more. More on Domenica: Instagram, Substack, “Italian Cookies” More on Jessie: Instagram, Substack, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes”

Today’s guest is entrepreneur and ice cream queen Pooja Bavishi of Malai Ice Cream, which has locations in New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. She’s also the author of the book “Malai: Frozen Desserts Inspired by South Asian Flavors.”  For this special re-air episode, Pooja joins host Jessie Sheehan to talk about her chai-inspired “hybrid identity,” her passion for experimenting with unconventional flavor pairings, and the ginger and star anise ice creams that sparked the inspiration to create Malai. Then, the duo dive into her recipe for Malai Drumsticks from her book, which incorporates Spiced Peanut Crunch Ice Cream, Jaggery Cones, homemade Magic Shell, and Peanut Chikki.  Click here for Pooja’s Malai Ice Cream Drumsticks recipe. Subscribe to our Substack for more baking news and recipes. Click here to order The Game Changers Issue of Cherry Bombe Magazine. Visit cherrybombe.com for magazine subscriptions, tickets to upcoming events, and more. More on Pooja: Instagram, Malai, “Malai” cookbook More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Deb Perelman, the beloved creator of Smitten Kitchen and the author of “The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook,” “Smitten Kitchen Every Day,” and “Smitten Kitchen Keepers.” In this special re-air episode, Deb joins host Jessie Sheehan to talk about one of the season’s coolest desserts: icebox cakes. Deb explains what makes these no-bake cakes so dreamy and walks through several Smitten Kitchen favorites, including her classic chocolate wafer icebox cake, her chocolate peanut butter icebox cake, and her strawberry graham icebox cake with cream cheese filling.  Click here for Deb’s Icebox Cake recipe. Subscribe to our Substack for more baking news and recipes. Click here to order The Game Changers Issue of Cherry Bombe Magazine. Visit cherrybombe.com for magazine subscriptions, tickets to upcoming events, and more. More on Deb: Instagram, Smitten Kitchen, website More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guests are Connie McDonald and Pam Weekes, the founders of Levain Bakery, the beloved New York bakery known for its signature thick cookies. Levain started as a small bread shop on the Upper West Side in 1995, and has since grown into one of the most recognizable bakeries in the country, with more than 20 locations and fans lined up for their famous chocolate chip walnut cookies. Connie and Pam join host Jessie Sheehan to talk about how they met while training for triathlons, how their bread business began with the support of Anthony Bourdain, and how a call from then-New York Times columnist Amanda Hesser helped put their now-iconic cookie on the map. Connie and Pam also talk about their memoir, “Levain Bakery: A Story of Friendship, Community, and Cookies,” and why community has always been at the heart of Levain. Subscribe to our Substack for more baking news and recipes. Click here to order The Game Changers Issue of Cherry Bombe Magazine. Visit cherrybombe.com for magazine subscriptions, tickets to upcoming events, and more. More on Levain: Instagram, website, "Levain Bakery" book More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Elisa Marshall, the co-founder and creative director of Maman, the beloved café and bakery, and lifestyle brand, with over 50 locations in North America. She’s also the co-author of “Maman: The Cookbook: All-Day Recipes to Warm Your Heart.”  Elisa joins host Jessie Sheehan to talk about the childhood memories that inspired Maman and shares how her love of vintage pieces, blue-and-white florals, Martha Stewart, and family recipes helped shape the cafe’s signature aesthetic and menu.  She also walks Jessie through her S’mores Cookie Bar recipe from “Maman: The Cookbook.” It’s a playful hybrid of s’mores and chocolate chip cookies, studded with graham crackers, mini marshmallows, and two kinds of dark chocolate. Elisa explains why she loves to incorporate both chocolate wafers and chopped bar chocolate, why the bars bake at a lower temperature than cookies, and why adding extra chocolate and marshmallows midway through the bake is essential. Click here for Elisa’s S’mores Cookie Bar recipe from the “Maman” cookbook.  Subscribe to our Substack for more baking news and recipes. Click here to order The Game Changers Issue of Cherry Bombe Magazine. Visit cherrybombe.com for magazine subscriptions, tickets to upcoming events, and more. More on Elisa: Instagram, Maman, “Maman” cookbook More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Dan Pelosi, a recipe developer, bestselling cookbook author, New York Times contributor, designer, and the beloved creator behind Grossy Pelosi. His latest book, “Let’s Party,” features more than 100 recipes organized into themed dinner parties with menus for every season and occasion, plus tips and tricks for becoming the best host you can be. Dan joins host Jessie Sheehan to talk about his early food memories, making “yuck cakes” with his grandpa, growing up in a family that prioritized food above all else, and the Italian American basement kitchen where his love of cooking was born. He also shares stories about catering his sister’s sleepovers as a kid, the secret ingredient in his mom’s carrot cake, and how he pivoted from a career in design to food.  Dan also walks Jessie through his Death by Chocolate recipe for New York Times Cooking. It’s a trifle-like dessert layered with chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and a crunchy topping of crumbled Oreos or chopped toffee candy bars. Dan shares the funny story behind the dessert, why he loves a cornstarch-set pudding, and why it’s the perfect make-ahead treat for Father’s Day and any summer barbecue. Click here for Dan’s Death by Chocolate recipe on New York Times Cooking. Subscribe to our Substack for more baking news and recipes. Click here to pre-order The Game Changers Issue of Cherry Bombe Magazine. Visit cherrybombe.com for magazine subscriptions, tickets to upcoming events, and more. More on Dan: Instagram, "Let's Party" cookbook More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Anna Stockwell, a recipe developer, food stylist, writer, culinary consultant, and video host. Anna has been a senior food editor at Epicurious and Bon Appétit, and is the author of two cookbooks, “For the Table” and her newest, “The Butter Book.” Anna joins host Jessie Sheehan to talk about growing up in a food-loving family, baking birthday cakes with her mom, and how she found her way into the kitchen professionally. She also does a little deep dive into butter—its history, why she loves cultured butter, when the brand really matters in a recipe, and more. Anna also walks Jessie through her Birthday Butter Cake recipe from “The Butter Book.” She explains why she loves the reverse creaming method, why she coats her cake pans with butter and sugar (instead of flour), and how boiling water helps create a glossy chocolate American buttercream.  Click here for Anna’s Birthday Butter Cake recipe from “The Butter Book.” Subscribe to our Substack for more baking news and recipes. Click here to pre-order The Game Changers Issue of Cherry Bombe magazine. Click here for tickets to our upcoming Supper Club Series in Miami on June 23rd.   Visit cherrybombe.com for magazine subscriptions, tickets to upcoming events, and more. More on Anna: Instagram, “The Butter Book” More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Marie Frank—a recipe developer and pastry chef based outside of Copenhagen. She’s also the creator of the Substack newsletter “More Than Sweet,” and the author of the new book, “More Than Sweet: Desserts with Flavor,” which features elevated recipes for cakes, cookies, frozen desserts, custards, tarts, and more. Marie joins host Jessie Sheehan to share how she became fascinated with complex flavors in desserts, despite not having a sweet tooth, and how an online baking community helped her develop pastry skills while she was at home on maternity leave.  Marie also walks Jessie through her Brunsviger recipe from her book. It’s a traditional Danish yeasted cake topped with a gooey brown sugar caramel—Marie describes it as the love child of a sticky bun and focaccia. Her version gets a flavorful twist with roasted grapes and rosemary, and she explains why this cake is especially delicious with ice cream. Click here for Marie’s Brunsviger with Grapes & Rosemary recipe from “More than Sweet.”  Subscribe to our Substack for more baking news and recipes. Visit cherrybombe.com for magazine subscriptions, tickets to upcoming events, and more. More on Marie: Instagram, More Than Sweet Substack, "More Than Sweet" cookbook More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Farideh Sadeghin. Farideh is a chef, recipe developer, video host, and food writer based in New York City. She’s been the test kitchen director at Saveur and was executive culinary director at Vice’s Munchies. Her first cookbook, “The Hot Dog Cookbook: 50 Recipes for the World’s Best Food,” was recently released and is full of classic, international, and original takes on her favorite food. Farideh joins host Jessie Sheehan to talk about growing up in an Iranian-Italian household, how cooking became her path after college, what she learned working in restaurants in New Zealand, and how a chicken liver pâté recipe led her to Saveur. They also dive into “The Hot Dog Cookbook,” and Farideh walks us through her Klobásník recipe—a savory pastry with a yeasted dough traditionally wrapped around sausage. It’s similar to a kolache and was adapted by Czech immigrants who settled in Texas. Farideh makes hers with hot dogs, Cheddar, and jalapeño. Click here for Farideh’s Klobásník recipe from “The Hot Dog Cookbook.” Reserve your hot dog for The Hot Dog Edit hereLearn more about The Hot Dog Edit Subscribe to our Substack for more baking news and recipes Visit cherrybombe.com for magazine subscriptions, tickets to upcoming events, and more. More on Farideh: Instagram, "The Hot Dog Cookbook" More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook