At our December Cookbook Membership Sweets Swap at Food52 HQ on Thursday night time, dried oranges held on a balsam fir tree, pomander balls dotted the tables, and trays (and trays and trays) of sweets from Renato Poliafito’s Dolci! adorned our workplace’s counter tops. And whereas the desserts glad our candy tooth, all of us left with much more than a field of cookies. Listed here are the three largest classes we took from the night time.

Dolci! is all in regards to the melding of Renato’s Italian and American cultures. His mother and father left Sicily for Brooklyn in 1957 and, because the youngest, he considers himself essentially the most Americanized. His e-book is a mosaic of his id in meals type. “[Dolci!] is full of the flavors I grew up with, the methods I acquired later in life, the shared traditions of nonnas from Bensonhurst to Bologna, and the collective hearts and imaginations of Italians in two international locations.” Embrace what you deliver to the desk, actually and figuratively.

We’ll by no means be utilizing a measuring cup once more. Says Renato: “In the event you’re scooping a cup of flour, the burden will range wildly relying on the way you scoop it. However if you happen to’re measuring 500 grams of flour, it is at all times going to be 500 grams of flour. It is like, case closed.” Baking is a science. The recipes are tried and true experiments. Replicate accordingly.

Renato studied artwork and design earlier than fulfilling a dream of opening a espresso store. Now, he owns his personal bakery, Ciao, Gloria and a brand new restaurant, Pasta Night time, each in Brooklyn. How’d he get there? He by no means let doubt get in the way in which. “I didn’t actually have the expertise at first,” he says. “Once we opened, I used to be like ‘Oh okay, now I must learn to bake.’ You simply should put your face to the fireplace.” So, possibly your dream job seems somewhat later in life and in a special type. Simply preserve an open thoughts. This goes for recipes, too. Chances are you’ll suppose ricotta in a black and white cookie is an pointless addition, however as we are able to attest from making an attempt it on the sweets swap, it would be the precise factor it wants. Briefly, dream large.

Thanks to our companions BelGioioso for the unbelievable cheese unfold, Smithfield for including somewhat bacon kick to our night, and Mepal for ensuring our friends had to-go containers. One other particular due to Renato Poliafito for the fantastic night of sweets and celebration. To hitch our Cookbook Membership on Fb, click on right here.