Join us for an evening with Renato Poliafito, a two-time James Beard Award nominee and the owner of Ciao, Gloria, a bakery and café in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. This is his fifth cookbook, but he considers Dolci! his first “solo album.”

Renato will be in coversation with Casey Elsass, a collaborator on Dolci! There will be an active discussion and ample time for Q&A. Sweet treats from Ciao, Gloria are included with your ticket.

Dolci! will be available for purchase or you can bring your own copy! There will be opportunities to have your book signed and personalized!

About Renato Poliaftio: Co-founder and former co-owner of Red Hook’s Baked, Renato Poliafito is getting back in touch with his Italian-American roots with Ciao, Gloria. Renato began his career as a Graphic Designer and Creative Director in New York City, before trading his laptop for an apron. Baked formed the foundation of a renaissance in Brooklyn’s waterfront Red Hook neighborhood over the past decade, and the several cookbooks he co-authored earned him the industries top accolades as well as international acclaim, culminating in a line of mixes, granola, bakeware, the opening of a location in Tokyo and several James Beard nominations. Now, Renato is drawing inspiration from those things he loves most - his Brooklyn home, Italian café bar culture, Japanese design, Copenhagen’s minimalist aesthetic and California’s sun filled coffee shops for Ciao, Gloria.

About Casey Elsass: Casey is a food writer, recipe developer, and cookbook author living in Brooklyn, NY. His work has been featured in Epicurious, Bon Appétit, Food52, Tasty, Food Network, Delish, Vice, and Wall Street Journal Off Duty, among other places.

About Dolci!:

Recipes that capture the flavors of la dolce vita, from Bologna to Brooklyn—Italian and Italian American-ish cakes, cookies, pies, pastries, desserts, tarts, savories, and breads from the James Beard Award–nominated brains behind one of America’s best bakeries

A joyous celebration of Italian, American, and Italian American tastes and traditions, Dolci! is a compendium of molto delizioso baked goods from both sides of the Atlantic. In almost a hundred recipes, James Beard–nominated baker Renato Poliafito pays homage to pastries of the Old World and the New—with perfected versions of classics like Pastiera and Torta Caprese, Honey-Ricotta Black and Whites, and Butter Cookies.

Poliafito puts his own unique spin on the baking traditions of both countries with recipes of his own invention that are a mashup of Italian flavors and American innovation. Think Aperol Spritz Cake, Italian Krispie Treats, Malted Tiramisu, Panettone Bread Pudding, and Mocha Orange Whoopie Pies. In addition to the many cakes, pies, tarts, and cookies, Poliafito also shares a host of savory recipes: Sourdough Focaccias, Perfect Grissini, Cacio e Pepe Arancini—and for good measure, Italian-inflected cocktails (Amaro Root Beer Float!). A vibrant comingling of two great culinary cultures filtered through the mind of an American with the heart of an Italian, Dolci! hits the sweet spot between Italian and American baking.

NOTE: This event will be held indoors at DEAR ANNIE. Sweet treats from Ciao, Gloria are included with your ticket.