Ahhhhhh! Mom's cooking naked? Did I read that correctly?
Yes you did! Debbie Adler, owner of
Sweet Debbie's Organic Cupcakes, cooks naked, that is without any refined sugar, dairy, gluten, nuts, soy, or wheat. I know the first thing you're thinking, OMG!
How can any dessert taste good without at least some of those ingredients? But they do!
 |
| Debbie on the right in the bakery with one of her bakers |
Debbie's son was born with multiple food allergies and finding any desserts for him was near impossible, so Debbie decided to solve that problem herself. As a long time nutrition buff she was inspired to create desserts her son could enjoy, and a bakery where children like her son, as well as those with celiac disease, diabetes, and autism could safely enjoy nutritious and healthful desserts.
If you have ever cooked for someone who has special dietary restrictions you understand the challenge. With a raised awareness today for gluten sensitivities, we're not only seeing a much larger variety of products on supermarket shelves and many ancient gluten-free grains milled into flours. Teff, sorghum, amaranth, corn, brown rice, oat, and many other varieties are readily available today, and Debbie uses a variety of them in her baked goods. (Which reminds me of my visit and tour through Bob's Red Mill near Portland, Oregon, which is another story I promise to tell.)
The good news is that Debbie is sharing her recipes in a cookbook due out in fall 2013, published by Harlequin, and when that happens I promise to share some of the photos and recipes.
Debbie hired me as the food stylist for her cookbook, which I was thrilled to do!
Carl Kravats, AKA the Delicious Photographer, did the photos. Since her audience is largely moms who have children with food sensitivities, Debbie wanted the photos cupsto be colorful and somewhat whimsical and playful. What could be more fun?! I'd love to share some of them with you, but no-can-do until the book is published. But here are some of the ribbons, ties, and fanciful paper cupcake cups we used.
We had a wonderful time we had creating the images; miniature tea sets and toy dump trucks came into play. Working on an editorial project, such as a cookbook, is one of my favorite styling jobs because it offers much more creative license than a packaging shot that must be done to very precise specifications.
We had a wonderful time we had creating the images; miniature tea sets and toy dump trucks came into play. Working on an editorial project, such as a cookbook, is one of my favorite styling jobs because it offers much more creative license than a packaging shot that must be done to very precise specifications.
 |
| Fanciful trimmings |
 |
| One of the prop tables |
With Carl and I in his studio and Debbie joining us virtually we were quite a trio. Part of the fun was Debbie's son who participated in all the calls and piped in with his two cents. It was a wonderful project! And Debbie is truly one of the kindest, most caring people I've ever met. She's a real gem! Keep your eyes open for Mom's Coking Naked this fall.
 |
| Cupcake cups and ribbon |
 |
| Melting chocolate chips |
|
|
