FEATURED STORY

“Let’s just say I've always had a sweet tooth. There's always been something special to me about time spent in the kitchen, being around family baking, or being present at someone else's house and greeted with something special.”

For the food historian and baking enthusiast Ben Mervis, the festive holidays of his childhood forged a link between a special occasion and food that wouldn't be eaten at any other time of year. 

"When you’re a kid, those moments become really powerful memories," he tells Phaidon.com, "associating certain times of year with the anticipation of something rich, sweet or savory coming from the oven, something you loved."

"For me, birthdays were always a big deal, with my mom making a classic American vanilla or chocolate birthday cake. I made my own birthday cake last month and I revisited the memory of licking the spoon as I was making the buttercream. The book is really rooted in those moments when special occasions call for special treats.”

The book in question is The Festive Baker, an expertly curated and extraordinary collection of more than 170 sweet and savory baking recipes to mark festive events, celebrations, and cultural traditions around the world. Organized chronologically by month, the recipes span 56 countries and cover more than 50 celebratory events and special occasions.