AUSTIN, Texas — Most people don't have favorite bakeries outside their hometown or the grocery store. That makes the achievements of New York-based Milk Bar that much more impressive.
Its cult-favorite confetti layer cake has become the image of a classic birthday cake among chefs and foodies, and pastry chef Christina Tosi is always making appearances to teach viewers how to make it — a great sign that Milk Bar isn't exactly worried about being replaced as the nation's bakery darling.
Austinites may recognize some of the grocery products like ice creams and crunchy cookies, but many have never had the chance to try its less shippable treats. However, this winter the Loren at Lady Bird Lake, an upscale hotel in Austin, will be welcoming Milk Bar for a six-month residency within its Cafe Collaboration Series.
The new series follows the hotel's Celebrity Guest Chef Series, which is also relatively new since its September debut. A release teases that the series will feature cakes, pastries, and other bakes by "world-renowned bakeries," but it does not say that the series will result in any new offerings — just ones that are not usually available in Austin.
As with the chef series, a portion of bakery collaboration proceeds will support the Loren Roots Imperative, which offsets the hotel group's carbon footprint through initiatives like buying land to regenerate and planting trees.
These tasty triumphs will be housed in Cafe at The Loren, which includes a coffee counter and lots of grab-and-go items.
For the full story, visit CultureMap Austin.