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Baking

Meet The Three NJ Bakers Competing On Food Network Show Meet The Three NJ Bakers Competing On Food Network Show
Meet The Three NJ Bakers Competing On Food Network Show Three New Jersey residents are among 10 bakers competing on a brand new Food Network cooking show. "The Next Baking Master" is filmed in Paris and hosted by acclaimed pastry chef Stephanie Boswell and French-born chef and restaurateur Ludo Lefebvre.  The Garden State bakers on the show are Joe Settepani of Morganville, Robert Toland of Willingboro, and Jennalyn Walbolt of Union (scroll down for more about each one). The show is Food Network’s newest culinary competition and "gives 10 ambitious and highly-skilled American bakers unprecedented access to the most iconic pastry shops…
North Jersey Baker Stars On New Food Network Show Celebrating 'Elf On The Shelf' North Jersey Baker Stars On New Food Network Show Celebrating 'Elf On The Shelf'
North Jersey Baker Stars On New Food Network Show Celebrating 'Elf On The Shelf' Tatiana Kovalenko, a North Jersey cakemaker, is ringing in the holiday season in style. Kovalenko, who lives in Woodcliff Lake and previously ran Skaza Cakes in Midland Park, is a contestant on the Food Network show "The Elf on the Shelf: Sweet Showdown", premiering on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m.  On the show, six teams of bakers are challenged to create a edible showpieces highlighting the holiday season. The winning team wins $25,000 and the coveted title of The Ambassadors of Confectionary Concoctions. The show is hosted by cake master Duff Goldman with judges Kardea Brown and Ashley Holt…
Prominent Attorney, Former Hudson County Prosecutor Harold Ruvoldt Dies, 81 Prominent Attorney, Former Hudson County Prosecutor Harold Ruvoldt Dies, 81
Prominent Attorney, Former Hudson County Prosecutor Harold Ruvoldt Dies, 81 Harold Ruvoldt, Jr. a prominent attorney in North Jersey, died on Sunday, Sept. 17 at the age of 81, according to his obituary. Ruvoldt, who lived in Haworth and Jersey City, was a graduate of St. Peter's College, Seton Hall Law School and Rutgers University Business School, according to his obituary.  Ruvoldt was a trial and appellate lawyer working as a partner in private practice while also serving as a Hudson County prosecutor, Hudson County Counsel and Jersey City Counsel, his obituary reads.  "I met Harold when he...helped me with a personal legal issue," wrote one mourner …
North Jersey Bakery Keeps It All In The Family: 'We Put A Lot Of Love Into Our Cookies' North Jersey Bakery Keeps It All In The Family: 'We Put A Lot Of Love Into Our Cookies'
North Jersey Bakery Keeps It All In The Family: 'We Put A Lot Of Love Into Our Cookies' Alaia and Athena are two of Bergen County's youngest bakers. The two-year old and 21-month old, respectively, are assisting their mother and grandmother in Mimi and Grand Cookies, a new bakery that sells cookies online and is based in Maywood. The cookies are baked in a commercial kitchen in Paterson and the company is named after Mimi, Alaia and Athena's grandmother. "My mother and I wanted to create generational wealth for her granddaughters," Ashley Crump, the mother of Alaia, said. "What better way than to start a cookie company?" Crump said her niece and daughter both like being in t…
Cannoli Controversy: Why Fans Are Slamming Teresa Giudice Over Baking Clip Cannoli Controversy: Why Fans Are Slamming Teresa Giudice Over Baking Clip
Cannoli Controversy: Why Fans Are Slamming Teresa Giudice Over Baking Clip Cannoli cupcakes are causing quite the controversy. "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Teresa Giudice is taking heat for a seemingly sweet video promoting her cannoli cupcake recipe. Fans — err, maybe adversaries — were quick to note that Tre "copied her cousin Kathy," famously a baker who owns Wyckoff pizzeria, Pizza Love. That is, Kathy Wakile, who one person said was the "Queen of Cannoli." "Not Kathy’s dessert!!!! 😂😂😂😂," another wrote. Wakile and Giudice have apparently been estranged since the Season 4 RHONJ reunion, when Wakile called Giudice's dad a coward and mom a "f---ing li…
MasterChef From NJ Brings Indian Flavors To Star-Studded Cooking Competition MasterChef From NJ Brings Indian Flavors To Star-Studded Cooking Competition
MasterChef From NJ Brings Indian Flavors To Star-Studded Cooking Competition A New Jersey chef from India is representing the Northeast while showcasing her international dessert skills in "MasterChef 13: United Tastes of America." Described as a “home cook who prides herself on American-Indian fusion,” Purvi Dogra, 48, moved to East Windsor from India 21 years ago.  Season 13 of the cooking show, which premiered on Wednesday, May 24, breaks down the 20 apron-earning competitors into categories based on one of four territories — West, Northeast, Midwest, and South.  The games officially begin for the 20 competitors on Wednesday, June 21. The winner gets rewarded w…
North Jersey High Schooler Runs Bakery From Parents Basement North Jersey High Schooler Runs Bakery From Parents Basement
North Jersey High Schooler Runs Bakery From Parents Basement Haya Nassar may be just a junior in high school but she already knows what she wants to do with her life. Nassar has recently opened Haya Baking, making chocolate chip cookies from her parents basement and delivering them to customers throughout the region. Nassar, a Fort Lee resident, balances high school, which she takes online, with fulfilling the orders of her customers.  "I had been thinking about doing this for a year," Nassar said. "I decided to put my foot down and I just did it. I really enjoy baking." Nassar's specialty is chocolate chip cookies, though she makes designs for wha…
NJ Baker Who Skipped College, Pulled Six Figures As Teen Now Makes Cakes For Celebs NJ Baker Who Skipped College, Pulled Six Figures As Teen Now Makes Cakes For Celebs
NJ Baker Who Skipped College, Pulled Six Figures As Teen Now Makes Cakes For Celebs "A complete disaster" were the words custom cake shop owner Justin Ellen used to describe the first cake he ever made just seven years ago. Self-taught and inspired by baking shows on YouTube, the Passaic native didn't start with a simple, single-tiered cake. No, Ellen went big: Three tiers.  Ellen was less than pleased with his results, time and time again, but he learned far more than he lost and, eventually, the success he saw was beyond his wildest dreams. At 16, Ellen launched his business, "Everything Just Baked." He missed out on prom and high school graduation to film "Is It Cake?…
Fordham Grad Trades Corporate Gig For Bergen County Bakeshop Fordham Grad Trades Corporate Gig For Bergen County Bakeshop
Fordham Grad Trades Corporate Gig For Bergen County Bakeshop Baking has always made sense to Despina Kontomanolis. It's methodical, scientific, and she knew if she followed the steps meticulously, she'd get exactly the product she wanted. Baking proved to be imperative to the 36-year-old New Milford after she graduated from Fordham Business School, and began working in the corporate world in 2009. "I felt like my soul was dying," Kontomanolis said. "I was feeling like I wasn't living up to my full potential because I wasn't getting pleasure out of selling insurance or writing up leases." In 2015, she quit her corporate gig at the urging of friends…
North Jersey Mom's Babka Business Gets Brick And Mortar Store North Jersey Mom's Babka Business Gets Brick And Mortar Store
North Jersey Mom's Babka Business Gets Brick And Mortar Store A North Jersey mom who had help from her husband and daughters launching a charitable babka business at the height of the pandemic is moving into a storefront. Hoboken's Michal Prevor started Babka Bailout to help pay her housekeeper's rent at the height of the pandemic. On Wednesday, Sept. 14, Prevor will hold a grand opening for Babka Bailout at its new digs on 476 Central Ave. in Jersey City from 1 to 4 p.m. Babka is a dough filled with chocolate then rolled up or braided and baked.  Babka BailoutBabka Bailout Babka Bailout offers a variety of flavors including Nutella-Oreo, cereal…
Beloved Mom Of 2, NJ College Student Dies Suddenly, 28 Beloved Mom Of 2, NJ College Student Dies Suddenly, 28
Beloved Mom Of 2, NJ College Student Dies Suddenly, 28 Beloved mother of two and New Jersey college student Avinique Sabree Marshall-Bethea died unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 19. She was 28. Born in Trenton, Avinique grew up in Lawrence and Ewing and graduated from Lawrence High School, her obituary says. Avinique later earned an Associate’s Degree from Rowan University and was pursuing a Bachelor’s in psychology, her memorial says. Avinique worked as a Senior Medical Security Officer at Ann Klein Forensic Center and lived in Willingboro at the time of her death, according to her obituary. Avinique enjoyed baking in her free time and showca…
No Fork Needed: Sussex County's CakePop Bar Sets Opening Date For New Retail Store No Fork Needed: Sussex County's CakePop Bar Sets Opening Date For New Retail Store
No Fork Needed: Sussex County's CakePop Bar Sets Opening Date For New Retail Store No need to find a fork — Sussex County’s favorite cake pop business is getting its very own retail store. Heatherly Sweets CakePop Bar is opening its doors on Main Street in Branchville on Valentine’s Day weekend. What, exactly, is a cake pop? It’s a smooth, indulgent bite of rich cake and creamy frosting shaped to perfection and placed delicately atop a lollipop stick. The business’s owner and primary baker is Heather Peterson, a busy mom of three, who says she’s always considered the kitchen a comfortable place to be creative and unwind. 💜Mermaid themed cocoa bombs!💙 #cakepopbar P…
Hoboken Mom Makes Best Chocolate Chip Cookies In NJ, Yelp Says Hoboken Mom Makes Best Chocolate Chip Cookies In NJ, Yelp Says
Hoboken Mom Makes Best Chocolate Chip Cookies In NJ, Yelp Says National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day isn't until December, but that didn't stop Yelp from releasing its list of "Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in Every State." "We just couldn’t wait until then," the user-generated review site says.  "We think anytime is a great time to celebrate those sweet, round, slightly greasy baked treats." Representing New Jersey is a little spot in Hoboken called "Baking Mama." The shop is run by Tina Rivera, who began baking in 1994 just before her first son was born. She had been working in a bank and in her downtime, picked up something new: Baking. "Through the y…
Maria Midrano Of Clark, 47, Remembered As Devoted Mom, Loving Wife Maria Midrano Of Clark, 47, Remembered As Devoted Mom, Loving Wife
Maria Midrano Of Clark, 47, Remembered As Devoted Mom, Loving Wife Maria Midrano of Clark died on Feb. 16, 2021, surrounded by her family. She was 47 years old. Born in Plainfield and raised in Scotch Plains, Maria graduated from Seton Hall University with her Bachelor's in psychology, her obituary says. Her obituary remembers her as a devoted mom who enjoyed baking for her family, and was loved by all. Maria is survived by her husband, Ken Midrano; son Michael and Brandon; parents Pasquale and Concetta (Stramaglia) Agnone; her brothers and sister, Steve Agnone, Enzo Agone and Linda Piesco; along with a host of nieces, nephews and dear friends. Serv…
WE KNEAD THIS: 8th Generation Teaneck Baker Shares Challah Recipe WE KNEAD THIS: 8th Generation Teaneck Baker Shares Challah Recipe
WE Knead This: 8th Generation Teaneck Baker Shares Challah Recipe Stick to the recipe, and you're "Goldin." That's hows Teaneck's Rivky Goldin says she learned. Baking has always been something the local mom has gravitated to.  So when she found out that seven generations of bakers in her family had come before her, she wasn't so surprised. The Montreal native says she caught the baking bug when she was a teen, cooking up a storm for Sukkot -- the Jewish harvest holiday -- when her mom asked her to take care of the desserts. "I was given a cookbook and baking ingredients and was told to follow the recipe -- and follow I did," said Goldin, who runs…
WE KNEAD THIS: Hackensack Chabad House Founder Shares Sweet Challah Recipe WE KNEAD THIS: Hackensack Chabad House Founder Shares Sweet Challah Recipe
WE Knead This: Hackensack Chabad House Founder Shares Sweet Challah Recipe It's sweet, fluffy and a recipe that Hackensack's Shterna Kaminker came up with herself. The Hackensack mom -- who helms the city's Chabad house with her husband Rabbi Mendy Kaminker -- tweaked her own mother's challah recipe until she got it just where she wanted it. "My mother was amazing in the kitchen," said Kaminker, a mom of six formerly of Teaneck. "She was always cooking and baking, and encouraged our own creativity." Each challah recipe begins with the same ingredients: Yeast, water, eggs, oil, flour, sugar and salt. Kaminker played around with each one until she found the perfe…
WE KNEAD THIS: Making Challah Is Magical Experience For New Milford Mom WE KNEAD THIS: Making Challah Is Magical Experience For New Milford Mom
WE Knead This: Making Challah Is Magical Experience For New Milford Mom Making challah didn't always come easily to New Milford's Daniela Pomerantz but has long been something she knew she wanted to do. The mom of three admits it took practice, but now she's got it down pat and is sharing her recipe in the Daily Voice series, "We Knead This." Scroll down for step-by-step recipe. "I loved challah growing up," said Pomerantz, who was born on Long Island and later moved to Westchester County and Coral Springs, Fla. with her family. "I always saw people making it and said, 'Wow I wish I could do that.' It just seemed like such a daunting, labor-intensive thing t…
Fair Lawn Baker Competes On Food Network Show Fair Lawn Baker Competes On Food Network Show
Fair Lawn Baker Competes On Food Network Show At 24 years old, Cristina Vazquez of Fair Lawn will be the youngest contestant to compete on a Food Network show. "Spring Baking Championship" will debut March 12 at 9 p.m. Cristina -- a proud Cuban-Puerto Rican -- found her love of baking as a teen coping with a breakup. Baking a cake made her feel better.  Cristina began volunteering at a local cake shop (since she was too young to be hired) and went on to culinary school at Johnson and Wales University. She has worked in 5-star hotels on the East Coast and abroad in Ireland.  Always singing and dancing in the kitchen, Crist…
Closter Girl Competes In Kids Baking Show On Food Network Closter Girl Competes In Kids Baking Show On Food Network
Closter Girl Competes In Kids Baking Show On Food Network CLOSTER, N.J. -- Talk about a "sweet" gig: 13-year-old Linsey Lam will appear on The Food Network's "Kids Baking Championship" Monday, Jan. 1 at 9 p.m. on The Food Network. Lam, a Closter resident, is one of 12 contestants  -- ranging in age from 10 to 13 -- competing in decadent dessert challenges designed to find the most impressive and creative kid baker in the country.  Over the course of 10 episodes, she and her other kid baking contestants will tackle new confectionary challenges, from sweet dessert pizzas using traditional savory pizza toppings to out-of-this-worl…