When Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith crowned Martin Sorge the winner of the Great American Baking Show in 2023, few would have guessed that his baking journey began with him setting the microwave on fire, trying to make a biscuit. But after years spent in the kitchen, he had become a full-fledged “baking nerd next door.” He is the perfect guide to explain simply how to adjust a recipe for rye flour or perfect your pavlova without bogging you down with too many details.
In this debut cookbook, Great Bakes: Modern Classic Recipes from the Midwest, Martin shares more than 100 recipes for sweet and savory bakes that celebrate the bounty of the Midwest, from modern classics to innovative show-stoppers. These breads, cookies, crisps, cakes, pies, pastries, and—yes—biscuits sneak surprising ingredients into the classics: Super-Soft Malted Cinnamon Rolls that elevate the childhood staple, Glazed Lemon Verbena Shortbread that gets a bit of zing from the window-box herb, and Sweet Corn Milk Bread that highlights the perfection of an ear of summer sweet corn. From the Midwestern flavors of Chicago Dog Focaccia and Michigan Forest Cake to traditional Christmas Stollen and Swabian Soft Pretzels rooted in Martin’s German heritage, Great Bakes welcomes bakers of every level with recipes they’ll reach for again and again.
Martin Sorge will be joined in conversation by the founding editor of Taste, Matthew Rodbard. Martin is a baker, recipe developer, and food writer who splits his time between Chicago and Michigan’s pinky finger. A native Hoosier, Martin takes his approachable Midwestern roots and his not-too-serious (sometimes corny) personality and combines those with his nerdy technical knowledge to create accessible recipes for the home cook. When he’s not in the kitchen baking up a storm, Martin enjoys board games, jumping in lakes, exploring places near and far with his husband, and spoiling their two cats.
Guest host Matt Rodbard is a writer, editor, and author of food and culture books with more than two decades of experience working in television, magazines, book publishing, and online media. He’s the author of several cookbooks and the Founding Editor of online food and culture magazine Taste.
Seating begins at 3pm with programming starting at 4pm. Seating is general admission. Cash bar featuring local wines and craft beverages will be available.
At the end of the conversation guests are invited to participate in a Q&A with Sorge & Rodbard.
Tickets (Do not include a copy of the book.)
General Admission:
Admits one patron to the event with general admission seating. Signed books may be purchased separately at the event.
VIP:
Includes priority seating in the front two rows, access to a pre-show reception with Martin Sorge, light hors d’oeuvres, and complimentary drinks during the reception. Signed books will be available for purchase at the event. Pre-show Reception is 2:30pm – 3:30pm at the Open Space venue VIP area.
**Photo credit Kevin Miyazaki