Our friend and baker extraordinaire Yossy Arefi just released her gorgeous new cookbook, Snacking Cakes, featuring 50 cake recipes that can be made in one bowl, with simple ingredients and no fuss. No electric mixers needed!

Q: What are some of the tunes in your kitchen playlist?
A lot of Donna Summer and Sylvester lately.

Q: What’s the last thing you ate that brought you joy? 
A browned butter rice krispy treat!

Q: Who are your culinary heroes?
I am so inspired by the people working so hard to feed people during our current crisis - Millie Peartree’s Full Heart Full Bellies, Moonlynn Tsai and Yin Chang’s Heart of Dinner, World Central Kitchen, and so many more.  

Q: Favorite Sunday night dinner? 
Ghormeh Sabzi.

Q: What's your go-to recipe?
Slow roasted chicken with schmaltzy potatoes.

Q: What seasonal fruit or vegetable do you count down the days for?
Sour cherries, quince, and concord grapes.

Q: What's a “foodie” related book, podcast, or movie you love?
I've really been enjoying the podcasts Home Cooking with Samin Nostrat and Hrishikesh Hirway, and Point of Origin hosted by Stephen Satterfield, the cofounder of Whetstone Magazine.

Q: What kitchen smell is most nostalgic for you?
The smell of rice steaming or blackberry jam bubbling away.