#BakeItForward

Executive Pastry Chef and Culinary Instructor Tracy Wilk has always found warmth and comfort in the kitchen. Which is why, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she spent quality time whipping up as many sweet dishes as she could think of until baked goods reached the ceiling of her New York City apartment. That's when she decided to spread joy, kindness, and sprinkles of hope with her neighborhood, dropping off boxes of Salted Chocolate Chunk Cookies, Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cream Pies, and Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes with essential workers, from frontline doctors and nurses to firefighters and grocery store clerks. This grassroots adventure soon turned into a worldwide movement of acts of giving, inspiring others to #BakeItForward. Tracy pulled together others' heartfelt stories and the recipes that brought people happiness inside this book. #BakeItForward is more than just a cookbook: It's a testament to the power of connection, mixed with delightful recipes anyone can find solace in baking—for themselves and for others. From Quarantine Banana Bread to Classic Snickerdoodles, there is something extra special to be found on every page of this book. It's a dazzling and unforgettable reminder of the love that can be found, shared, and devoured in every batch of homemade baked goods. —JEN GLANTZ, author and friend of Tracy Wilk

Tracy graduated from the University of Central Florida and was trained by Natural Gourmet Institute. She went on to work in the James Beard award–winning pastry department of ABC Kitchen, making many ice cream sundaes while filling doughnuts at Flex Mussels. She later became the Executive Pastry Chef at David Burke Kitchen, being recognized by FSR Magazine as 40 Under 40 Rising Stars. Since 2018, Tracy has been teaching as the Lead Recreational Instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education. As our world changed during COVID-19, #BakeItForward grew into a passion project and this creative endeavor. Tracy's favorite things are wine, sprinkles, and laughter during a meal shared with those she loves the most.