What to Expect from Taste This

Now That Potluck Desserts is Out in the World

Photo: Brian Samuels | Styling: Catrine Kelty

I'm a firm believer in resting when you need to. And rest can mean a lot of things—whatever physically, emotionally, or mentally recharges you.

After a whole month on the road for Potluck Desserts in June, I unintentionally took a break in July. Part two of the book tour was meant to run from July through September, but July had other plans. Everyone was on vacation, foot traffic was slow, and it was too hot to bake for groups of people. The universe was clear: "You're resting now." And it was right.

That unexpected pause gave me time to think about what's next for Taste This—how it evolves now that the book is out in the world. I asked myself:

How do I keep the conversation going?

How do I continue building this space centered around queer, trans, and allied voices, around food—our food?

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So here's what you can expect starting in August:

For Free Subscribers:

You'll receive two emails a month:

• 1 Recipe: A foundational recipe + 3 simple variations to make it your own

• 1 Kitchen Tea: A quick, nourishing read—behind-the-scenes musings, ingredient deep dives, queer food history, or what I'm loving right now

• Plus: Occasional updates, event news, and a first taste of new projects

For Paid Subscribers:

You get everything above, plus two more emails each month:

• 1 Bonus Recipe: A fully conceptualized recipe that doesn't hold back—more personal, playful, and layered

• 1 Narrative Post: This could be:

  • An interview with a queer/trans cook, writer, artist, or farmer

  • A guest post from a friend, peer, or stranger-turned-friend

  • An essay from me on food, community, memory, and more

Also included:

• Two mini-zines throughout the year

• Occasional surprise posts, bonuses, or things I just can't wait to share

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A little more on what to expect…

Recipes

The free recipe will always be a flexible, foundational starting point—something you can build on. For example, the first one in August is Toasted Marshmallow No-Churn Ice Cream, and it comes with three ways to use it: a sundae, a float, and an ice cream sandwich.

The paid recipe is a stand-alone, fully conceptualized recipe.

All recipes are tested and delivered in the same friendly, conversational style as Potluck Desserts. Like two friends hanging out in the kitchen, figuring it out together.

Kitchen Tea

This is where we spill a little kitchen tea. Sometimes it's what I'm cooking or craving, sometimes it's a peek behind the scenes. Other times, it's a quick ingredient deep dive, a tool I actually use, a skill decoded, or a bit of overlooked queer food history. Think of it like the low-stakes gossip you'd swap while stirring a pot with your bestie.

Narrative Posts

These will bring in more voices, more stories:

• Interviews: Spotlighting queer/trans cooks, writers, artists, and farmers

• Guest Posts: Offering a platform (and paid opportunity) to peers and strangers who've become friends

• Essays: From me, continuing to explore food, identity, queerness, and the joy of coming together at the table

Whether you're here for the recipes, the stories, the occasional behind-the-scenes scoop—or all of it—I'm so glad you're here. Let's keep cooking, sharing, and building this space together.

xo,
Justin

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Potluck Desserts Book Tour, Part Two (so far)

• Friday, August 8 | 6:00 PM
  Vesper Books & Wine, Detroit, MI
  In conversation with Jon Kung and Jonathan Peregrino

• Saturday, August 9 | 9:00 AM until sold out
  JP Makes & Bakes, Detroit, MI
  Bakery Collab Pop-Up

• Tuesday, September 23 | 6:30 PM
  Blue House Books, Kenosha, WI
  In conversation with James Schend

• Thursday, September 25 | 6:30 PM
  Thank You Books, Birmingham, AL
  In conversation with Brian Hart Hoffman

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ICYMI

• Martha Stewart - The Best Desserts to Share at a Potluck—and Other Tips From a Pastry Chef

• The Local Palate - Book Review: Potluck Desserts

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Potluck Desserts: Joyful Recipes to Share with Pride is now available! Grab a copy at your preferred bookseller. Do you already own a copy? Leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, etc. Reviews help a tremendous amount.