Creating a cookbook from scratch is no piece of cake. Just ask Aaron McInnis, Baking and Pastry Arts instructor at Bay St. George Campus.
His new cookbook Happy Belly: The Cake Book is set to be released in 2022.
“The book is a collection of my tips, tricks and secrets to successfully baking and decorating a beautifully delicious cake,” he said. “The book is full of the recipes that I’ve used to build my business and career.”
He says the book is great for anyone looking to up their baking game.
“This dazzling cookbook is for the DIY baker and cooking enthusiast looking for fun and easy ways to turn their own decadent desserts into mouth-watering works of art,” he said. “The book focuses on taking my base recipes and how to manipulate them in multiple ways to create over 30 different cake/flavour combinations.”
An instructor with CNA since 2019, McInnis says he hopes to encourage others to get in the kitchen and start baking their own creations.
“I hope that Happy Belly gives the reader the confidence to jump into the kitchen and get creative,” he said. “I want to inspire people to get out of their comfort zone and bake something beautiful.”
McInnis says it feels good to see his hard work come to fruition.
“It honestly feels like a dream. Writing a book was a bucket list item for me, I mentioned it in passing to my wife one night and from there it sort of just happened,” he said. “Although not a smooth ride, I am happy to be nearing the finish line.”
He hopes to let people know that baking doesn’t have to be complicated.
“The idea was to show people that you don’t need a multitude of cake recipes in order to be successful. A solid foundational recipe is all that’s needed.”
McInnis is no stranger to the spotlight, in the past he has competed multiple times on the Food Network. He is also the owner of Happy Belly Cakery, a home-based cake studio and has a food blog, Man Versus Cake.
One smart cookie
Originally from Nova Scotia Aaron says he always had an interest in baking. He graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland 2010 with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Biochemistry Nutrition.
“Baking was always a passion and through persistence I practiced, studied and honed my skills and am now a Red Seal Certified Baker (only one of a handful on the island).”
When he is not creating new recipes, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.
“In my off time, usually I am running around with the kids, they keep us pretty busy. But when I get time to myself, I enjoy working out, good way to clear my head – and of course offset all the sweets I have to eat.”