Paola Velez Top 100 Instagram Photos and Posts

Most liked photo of Paola Velez with over 17.6K likes is the following photo

Most liked Instagram photo of Paola Velez

We have around 101 most liked photos of Paola Velez with the thumbnails listed below. Click on any of them to view the full image along with its caption, like count, and a button to download the photo.

Paola Velez Instagram - 🚨 DC, REJOICE 🚨 YOUR PRAYERS HAVE FINALLY BEEN ANSWERED—BIG DADDY CHEF STEVE IS DESCENDING UPON THE DISTRICT LIKE A DEEP-FRIED ANGEL 😇✨ 
FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY, EKIBEN IS POPPIN’ UP AT PROVIDENCIA ON FEB 19TH, SLINGIN’ THE GOODS ALONGSIDE THE LEGEND PAOLA VELEZ—PASTRY MASTER, JAMES BEARD AWARD-WINNER, AND THE ONLY PERSON ALIVE WHO CAN MAKE A CROISSANT AND A REVOLUTION AT THE SAME TIME. 🇩🇴🔥 
AND YOU KNOW WE GOTTA SHOUT OUT ERIK BRUNER-YANG—DC’S FLAVOR WIZARD, THE MAN WHO KEEPS THE STREETS FED, AND THE ONLY PERSON WHO COULD CONVINCE STEVE TO LEAVE BALTIMORE (EVEN IF JUST FOR A NIGHT). 
DON’T BE THE ONE HEARING ABOUT THIS SECONDHAND. PULL UP, BRING YOUR PEOPLE, AND LET’S GET BLESST.

Paola Velez Instagram - Who they think they’re emailing vs…. 😂🪦🤌🏽

Paola Velez Instagram - Celebrate the opening of Providencia, H Street’s new neighborhood bar, opening any minute! Join our friend @smallorchids, author of the upcoming Bodega Bakes, for baked Alaska frio frio and matcha minutas. This event is family-friendly and perfect for all ages. We can’t wait to see you!

OPENING ANY MINUTE MINUTAS
Providencia - 1321 Linden Court NE
Tuesday, August 6 • 3 PM - 8 PM

GRAND OPENING - AUGUST 7! 👀

@erikbruneryang @babyjory_ @_mapache3 @hstreetsweethstreet @thehillishome @austinkgraff @eat_dc_insta

Paola Velez Instagram - empanadas just taste better when you make them en comunidad 🥟

Paola Velez Instagram - Folks that have been on this journey with me know that I am no stranger to speaking about my own struggles with mental health. So when @southernsmokefoundation reached out to share that their initiative for accessible mental health would be rolling out in the DMV area I was filled with hope that in a few years a lot of the issues the culinary industry is currently facing will dissipate because we’re addressing a lot of the root causes head on.

It’s ok to not be ok, and it’s ok to get help. You are not alone in what you’re going through. PTSD, trauma, insecurity, work life imbalance are things we can face together as an industry.
We got you, we’re behind you, and we will get through this, together.
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“Southern Smoke Foundation, a national nonprofit that serves the food and beverage (F B) community, has officially launched its Behind You Mental Health Program in partnership with George Washington University’s Center for Psychological and Community-based Services! This program will allow F B workers in Washington, D.C. access to counseling at no cost.
Visit @southernsmokefoundation’s website at southernsmoke.org/mental-health to learn more or apply. If you are interested in supporting Behind You or have any questions, please email behindyou@southernsmoke.org.”

Paola Velez Instagram - Are you hungry yet? Beat the summer heat with this icebox cake from BODEGA BAKES, available for pre-order and on sale 10/1!

⭐ “Velez gives readers a passionate glimpse of the food and flavors of her youth… Alongside stunning photographs, this book supports readers with can-do positivity, encouraging them to pursue glorious treats and untraditional flavor combinations.”
—Library Journal, Starred Review @library_journal

Paola Velez’s debut cookbook is a love letter to both her Dominican heritage and her New York City roots; its more than 100 recipes burst with distinctive flavors, inviting you to enjoy new takes on her childhood favorites and yours. Paola’s combination of classical training and self-taught pastry skills means her recipes are accessible no matter your skill level. She’ll be your hype girl through more ambitious projects (you can make a turnover—and a Guava and Cheese one at that), as well as more “set it and forget it” treats, like her Maria Cookie Icebox Cake. Whatever you do, don’t sleep on her signature Thick’ems—giant cookies that are somehow crunchy and gooey—the most requested recipe in Paola’s repertoire and the recipe that made her internet famous, which she shares here for the very first time here. With renditions of traditional Caribbean desserts like Pineapple Empanadillas and Golden Rum Cake alongside twists on classic American treats like sticky buns and brownies, Paola’s unique recipes and infectious positive spirit will help you recreate the magic of the bodega at home—BYO cat.

@smallorchids #bodegabakes #bodega #cookbook #nyc #dr #baking #recipe #bookstagram #cake #bookish #tbr #preorder

Paola Velez Instagram - Craving something sweet?

Come through on October 18th for an evening of bakes, brews & bites!

We are excited to be hosting Chef Paola Velez as she embarks on her national The ¡HOLA PAOLA! Book Tour as she publishes her debut book, Bodega Bakes.

#bodegabakes #seattleeats #seattlefoodie #seattledining #seattlebakers #pastry #bodega
Tickets available on our website! (Click the link in our bio)

Chef Kristi will be hosting a book talk/ Q&A, you’ll be sampling sweets from Bodega Bakes, dinner will be available for purchase along with brews from @metierbrewing

About Chef @smallorchids

CHEF/ OWNER OF DŌEKÏ DŌEKÏ , FOOD MEDIA PERSONALITY / FOUNDER SMALL ORCHIDS INC, BAKERS AGAINST RACISM / COOKBOOK AUTHOR

An Award Winning Afro-Dominican Chef and Author, born in the Bronx and currently based in Washington, DC.
I use history and tasty treats to bake the world a better place.

Paola Velez Instagram - Day two of prep for CAMP SUNNYSIDE @hotluckfest

Thank you to the @fairmontatx team for all your help and support 🫶🏽

If you’re in Austin and you still are on the fence, come join us tomorrow at Camp Sunnyside, there’s still a few tickets left!
I’ll be making Bodega Bakes’ Summer Camp Brownies 💕🫡

#austintexas #austintx #hotluck

Paola Velez Instagram - On the newest episode of @foodstoriestold I speak with pastry chef @smallorchids and we unpack the power of bodegas and third spaces.

Learn why Paola believes bodegas are more than just stores – they’re vital third spaces where community, culture, and comfort food converge. In this conversation, she shares stories from her neighborhood, recounting how bodegas were a playground for learning and sanctuaries during times of need.

She delves into the impact these third spaces have on food culture, symbolizing not just a cornerstone of life in the city but a center of community and connection and how she pays homage to it in her upcoming book “Bodega Bakes: Recipes for Sweets and Treats Inspired by My Corner Store.”

We laugh, we chat bodega math and Paola shares the art of ordering the *perfect* chopped cheese.

It’s a beautiful chat about the cultural hubs that shape us and I can’t wait for you hear her story.

-What’s your go to bodega order?
-Were you here for the penny candy or saving up for the big stuff?
-drop your favorite bodega memories in the comments.

PS: How is *your* bodega math?

Paola Velez Instagram - Queso de hoja Dominicano | Dominican layer cheese 🥰
You know what, I believe that the dairy that we get in the mid Atlantic makes the best Dominican cheese.
I got my milk from Maryland and it’s chefs kiss
#quesodehoja #dominicancheese #caribbeanfood #dominicanfood #cheese #handmadecheese #midatlantic

Paola Velez Instagram - Idk what I was thinking building this tower lol but if you want to get into this recipe and more like it, preorder my cookbook Bodega Bakes.

#coconutmacaroons #cheftips #coconut #pastrychef #easyrecipes #besitosdecoco #dominicanchef #caribbeanfood #caribbeanheritagemonth

Paola Velez Instagram - During Caribbean heritage month is crazy. Whomever tagged me in this, Que yo te hice lololol.

Is this video a waste of my time? Unfortunately yes. 10/10 lololol

Tag me in your nice reels lol give me a reels vacation plz

#caribbeanfood #caribbeanheritagemonth #plantain #platano #chefreaction #reactionvideos #reactionreels #cheftalk

Paola Velez Instagram - My favorite part of working in a kitchen is being around wonderful humans with experiences uniquely their own. Some of the kitchen teams I’ve worked with, often had pockets of time to chat between prep work or when service was a bit slower than we’d hoped. During those moments I would make space for others to tell me about their lived experience. Moments that I hold near and dear to my heart.

One of those moments helped create this cookie. The bulla snickerdoodle was born of me listening to Cephas (who at the time was a bartender at a restaurant I worked at.)who would talk to me about his experiences as a child in the mountains of Jamaica and his experience with his afterschool snack- Bulla cake.
I would ask him about the smell, texture, taste. How did it made him feel? was it warmth? Happiness? Comfort? and every shift I would create a different sugary spice blend for him to try.

I realized that in order to replicate the snack of his childhood I had to create a new memory for Cephas. I had to push the boundaries of his memory and introduce an Americana vessel -the snickerdoodle cookie- I worked on this recipe for months before he finally said this is it. These are the flavors of my childhood.

Personally, I am grateful for moments like these because in the stillness of allowing someone to trust me with their memories; I often realized that my journey through the food world, isn’t always about my technical skills but about allowing the essence of humanity to be translated into these quick bites.

I hope that I’ve you’re reading this Cephas, know that I still imagine what the mountains of Jamaica look like and hope to see them one day. And that this cookie is a byproduct of your kindness and your trust to share your stories with me.

I hope that yall (dear reader) will like this cookie when you bake from Bodega Bakes. & I hope that you take a moment to listen to the lived experiences of those around you.

Happy Monday,
Chef P

#bullacake #jamacia #caribbeanfood #caribbeanstories #snickerdoodle #cookies #cheflife #cheflifestyle #cheftalks

Paola Velez Instagram - Washing your fruits and veggies might be tedious and to some even controversial however it’s important that we take a few extra steps to properly prepare them for your day to day uses.

I’ve also found that when washing in this solution my berries last longer than if I were to just store them directly from the store or from the farmers market.

What do you think? Is this step not worth it?

#washingfruit #fruitandveggies #cheflife #cheftips #foodandsafety #washingtondc

Paola Velez Instagram - As a line cook have you ever wondered what other skills and techniques you need to learn to grow in the kitchen? There isn’t a direct ladder to sous, CDC or even executive chef except right place and time or interviewing until your socks fall off.

But as you’ve been trying to grow and learn I’m sure you have a I wanna be a chef check list:
•if you have time to lean, you have time to clean.
•what are the five mother sauces
•knife cuts are fast as fux boi!
•use oui chef and soigné in a sentence multiple times during your shift

But one bullet point that is often over looked is the
•what are the pastry basics that I need to learn so I’m able to create a full menu (including dessert).
Swipe to see what I believe are good recipes to research and practice to grow your pastry skills. (Even if you’re not a line cook trying to level up).

#chefskills #pastrychef #cheflife #carousel #pastrygram #thebearfx

Paola Velez Instagram - Once la Señoras would start bringing me lunch
from their casa i knew 💪🏽🇲🇽🇩🇴💕👩🏽‍🍳

I guess it also helped that I was almost born in a Tex-Mex restaurant in the 90’s in NYC 😂

#lachona #prepcook #cheflifestyle #cheflife #chefmemes #mexico #washingtondc

Paola Velez Instagram - Happy National DOÑA DONA day!
(National donut day)
To all who know and love her, yes she’s in the cookbook because I love yall!

Have a lovely Friday 💜
Photo by @laurenviedallen for Bodega Bakes

#nationaldonutday #donadona #bombesquad #bodegabakes

Paola Velez Instagram - Marshmallow slander is so 2019.. today we’re turning my favorite 🇧🇷 summer drink into MALLOWS!

Look, between us, I am the conductor of the marshmallow
H🎱 train. I found them to be flavorless puffs of air, and honestly I was so unimpressed by them— that was until I realized that I didn’t truly dislike them, I just needed to inject them with some flavor!!!

That’s how the caipirinha marshmallow was born!

Lime, booze and a pillow texture that’s too legit to quit.

If you wanna get into this recipe and more like it preorder my cookbook BODEGA BAKES!
The gowrls know:
Preorder now, BAKE LATER!
(Available wherever fine books are sold!)

#cookbook #capinha #creativedesserts

Paola Velez Instagram - NY cheesecake semifrio’s ☺️ (semi frozen custard) shaped to look like a slice of cheesecake 🫡✨

There’s something so soothing to see a little flock of pastries getting ready for the public. A friend mentioned in passing that I live a life that most chefs dream of living. I no longer work in restaurants day to day. But the life folks see me live isn’t the dream we dream of as chefs. Our dream? to be able to freely create for the public without worrying about bills, is. & I’m not there yet. My hustle just looks different in this stage of my career.

I dream of a day where I can just create and play and feed folks…. But capitalism is a bih…

What is your ultimate chef dream?
#nycheesecake #frozentreats

Paola Velez Instagram - Life lately 💜🤌🏽✨ #bodegabakes

Paola Velez Instagram - Black sesame coco bread w/ Berbere butter 💕🧈

Paola Velez Instagram - Marshmallows yay or nay?
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#marshmallow #cocktail #caipirinha #lime #quickdesserts #pastrylove #pastrypassion #foodporn #marshmallowslime #latinpastries #dominicana #latinoamerica #quickdessert #dessertporn #pastrychef

Paola Velez Instagram - Pan de agua (Dominican rolls) from Bodega Bakes —
Taking a break from posting bodega bakes video because I lost my lil voice over the weekend. But that doesn’t mean that the BB content for my BB’s have to stop!
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If you’re from the Dominican Republic you know why I had to absolutely include this recipe. You can find them in the Collado, panadería, la sirena, but now you can find them in your very own kitchen!

Eat them with queso de papa or with un cafecito del bueno. I can’t wait for you to bake these from the cookbook.

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Publishing October 1, available for preorder wherever fine books are sold 🫡✨
#dominicanbakes #bodegabakes #dominicanfood #pandeagua #pastrychef #dominicanchef #chefinspired #bronx #bronxny #dominicanrepublic🇩🇴 #bodega #cookbook #chefstyle #soignefood

Paola Velez Instagram - LIVE! from Hot Luck (Austin, TX)–Perhaps best known as the force behind @bakersagainstracism, Paola Velez (Dōekï Dōekï) has made a life and career of intertwining baking and altruism. (As her website says, she just wants to “Bake the World a Better Place.”) In this interview, recorded on the grounds of @hotluckfest last weekend, Paola shares about her Bronx childhood, how she switched from savory cooking to baking and pastry, her thoughts on how pastry chefs can express themselves, and–of course–her new cookbook (!), charitable work, and philosophy of giving and making it easy to give.

In this episode, we also visit with participating Hot Luck chefs @stayhungree @chefsarahjayne & @mashamabailey.

***REMINDER! This Sunday, June 2, from 4pm to 6pm, Andrew and cocktail writer Robert Simonson will co-host (with Swoony’s restaurant in Brooklyn) a book party, talk, and signing. (click through for info and tickets) Limited seating, so purchase your ticket ASAP.***

Paola Velez Instagram - Someone let me borrow 300sqft and a soft serve machine 😂

Throwback to summer of 2019 when I found an old soft serve machine and cleaned it up, fixed the gears and macgyvered it for service 🫡

I had to baby the soft serve machine, and adjust the base constantly cause that machine was TIRED. lol I left with a deeper understanding of McDonald’s soft serve machines and why they never work 😂😂😂😂 #softserve #icecream #chefstories #chefcreations #summerdesserts #washingtondc #cheflife #mindofachef

Paola Velez Instagram - This summer I’m outside cause 😂😂😂😂 my legs need to see the sun!
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I haven’t always been comfortable with showing my arms during the summer but this year I’m saying screw the perception of others when it comes to my body. It’s not easy, and if for whatever reason this post reaches people that aren’t as kind I might get roasted for being me. But I say to that oh well 🤷🏽‍♀️
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Thank you to @ilanakohn for sending me a little summer gift!! Now I can match my lil Bodega Bakes book cover 💜😂

#bodypositive #summerbody #midsizestyle #midsizefashion #ilanakohn #linenclothing #midsize #loveyourself #austintexas #tanningtime #summeroutfit

Paola Velez Instagram - If you don’t have this festival on your radar, you’re missing out.
What’s @hotluckfest ? Well, it’s medley of live music, an incredible culinary adventure and hanging out with your favorite chefs from across the country. (Seriously you never know who you’re going to meet during this jam packed weekend.)

Not only that but this event supports the amazing efforts and initiatives of @southernsmokefoundation partying for a good cause? Sign me up every time.

I know you have FOMO cause you weren’t able to make it out this year, but next year will be even better! I hope to see yall there 🤠

Thank you for an amazing start to summer 2024. Many thanks to the @hotluckfest team and for the guests that flew out all the way to ATX to eat some of my lil pastries.

Thank you also to the @fairmontatx for their wonderful hospitality, I enjoyed my days prepping with you all in your wonderful kitchens. And thank you to the generous donations of all the sponsors that made these treats come to life!

Ps, the party ain’t over yet, if you’re still in Austin the @canjeatx block party is happening today! See you there!!
Xoxo,
P
#hotluck #hotluckfest #austintexas #foodfestival #chefstyle #everythingsbiggerintexas

Paola Velez Instagram - Useful baking measurements you all should know with a side of je ne sais quoi

Is this video a waste of my time? 10/10 I don’t know 😱🫡 #chefreactions #chefreactionvideos #reactionvideos #baking #bakingtechniques

Paola Velez Instagram - Lazy pie crust with maximum results! If you’ve thought about making a pie and just gave up then this recipe is for you! Using the power of the almighty stand mixer I make dough a breeze. Just think of all the time we will have not doing dishes!?

If you wanna get this recipe and more like it preorder my cookbook BODEGA BAKES!
The Gworls know: PREORDER NOW! Bake later 🤩

Available wherever fine books are sold!

(Hi, have you been curious why I’ve been posting a lot of sans-recipe reels? Well, that’s cause my cookbook publishes on October 1st! All the recipes for my most recent reels live there plus thick ‘ems and my Dona recipes! Preordering helps me and my book tremendously, if you’ve already preordered and want to continue supporting me through this journey, share this reel and others that you love with your friends, families and community! If you’ve gotten this far into this side note, I am thankful you’ve read this! Sending you all my love, P.) #cookbook #preordernow #pastry #bakingfun #bakinghacks #piedough #cookinghacks #cookingtips #pastrychefsofinstagram

Paola Velez Instagram - Hope yall are having a good day. 😮‍💨
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#vitamixblender #mango #puree #pastrychefs #foodprep #chefstoday #homecooking #kitchencreations #mangolover #frozenmango #pastrychefproblems #tropicalflavors #dominicanpastrychef #latinachef #washingtondc

Paola Velez Instagram - Quesito donas (donuts) | cream cheese filling, leche icing, candied puff pastry

#quesito

Paola Velez Instagram - Hi! 👋🏽 happy Monday, I don’t know how it’s already Monday but we’re here.
This week is a fun but whacky one cause at the end of the week I get to be in ATX but before i go I have to stick to my self imposed deadline of filming 4-5 BB videos. Realistically I think im only get to get through 2 😅but I have to try 😂😮‍💨🤌🏽

Oh and I still have to find time to pack in between 🤣

Hope you have a lovely start to your week and to the folks that will be at hot luck can’t wait to see yall then!

🫂
P

#vlog #happymonday #standmixer #foodthoughts #howareyou #creamingbutterandsugar

Paola Velez Instagram - Sumac & summer berries

Paola Velez Instagram - Still dreaming of this combination 💕😜

#strawberryseason #gooseberries

Paola Velez Instagram - Strawberries and gooseberries will be the combination of summer ‘24 & ‘25 😮‍💨🫂

#crostata #galette #pastrygram

Paola Velez Instagram - GOOSEBERRY, GOOSEBERRY, GOOSEBERRY! Say that phrase 3x and magically my Gooseberry strawberry crostata will appear.
I remember showing my mom this recipe and her realizing that I somehow found myself loving her favorite fruit the Grosella Espinosa aka cape gooseberries. She told me all about the dulces de grosella that she grew up eating well into adulthood and giggled.

Traditionally in the Dominican Republic we love to candy, preserve and jamify our fruits to make our sweets treats. We’re not ones for the theatrical pastries, often enjoying un dulce con una galleta de Manteca (enjoying our jams with a “tipico” Dominican butter cracker).
But what is a crostata other than a buttery flaky fluffy cracker that’s filled with jam. 😱 seems like the perfect Dominican dessert to me.

If you want to get into this recipe and more like it, preorder my cookbook Bodega Bakes.
The Gworls know! Preorder now, BAKE LATER!

Next week we’ll get to see why my pie dough is called the lazy girl pie dough! Thanks for watching! 👋🏽

#crostata #gooseberry #summerfruits

Paola Velez Instagram - Taking a break from posting about my book 😵 and posting about my plantain baguettes instead (just kidding I posted about my book earlier today)

Ok! So let’s get into it, I am pretty happy with how these turned out! I think test no.4 was too salty for my taste 😩 I’ll be eating them with unsalted butter 😂😂😂 the 5th test batch was closer to what I want to see and aesthetically it’s been the best batch so far!

It’s been so fun watching this lean dough interact with the starch and sugars from the plantains

Also Im kinda vibing with finding creative ways to naturally enhance the plantain flavor

I think now that I think test no.5 is my ideal texture and look im going to start tinkering to truly get the most plantain flavor in this baguette 😮‍💨 cooking is SO FUN!

#foodscience #plantains #baguette #playingwithfood #bakingtechniques

Paola Velez Instagram - Passionfruit half moon cookies no filter 😜
I know, I know friend, you’re going to ask, “recipe?”
Well you’re in luck cause you can bake these cookies and more treats like it in my upcoming cookbook!!! 🥺📖

#passionfruit #nyccookies #halfmooncookies #blackandwhitecookies #bakingandpastry

Paola Velez Instagram - Chocolate ganache under 1 minute using a microwave. Fun fact when I found out that I’d be competing on chopped sweets, learned to rework everything I knew about baking and pastry. I practiced unique techniques using liquid nitrogen, the blast chiller and the microwave. One of my favorite recipes to come out of that time was my 1 minute chocolate ganache. In my upcoming cookbook Bodega Bakes I teach you how to make it the traditional way (cause we gotta learn the basics before we can run!) but here I am sharing this technique for free.99 (like most of my content) because I love you!

Hope this technique is as helpful as I found it to be on the show!

Thanks for watching bb’s

🫂,
Chef Paola
#chocolateganache #cookinghack #easyganache #microwavehacks #pastrytechnique #oneminutecooking

Paola Velez Instagram - Hi! Seeing if this video is a waste of my time; and it totally is 100/10 waste of time 🥴 #chefreactions

Paola Velez Instagram - Passionfruit half moon cookies are the new it girl. It’s like if Washington Heights & Arthur Ave had a cookie baby. The best of the city and the tropics in one bite. 🏝️🌃

If you’re like me and you can’t get enough of Passionfruit (chinola) and don’t mind that this cookie is cake pretending to be a cookie.. then this recipe is for YOU!

If you want to get into this recipe and more like it, preorder my cookbook BODEGA BAKES
The gowrls know:
Preorder now, bake later!

#passionfruit #halfmooncookies #blackandwhitecookies #chinola

Cover photo by @laurenviedallen

Paola Velez Instagram - #contentcreation - Excuse me ghost, please don’t distract me. I’m already procrastinating on making food reels 😂😂
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If you film solo as a creator you know the feeling 😅

Paola Velez Instagram - Should your butter be ice cold almost to the point of it being frozen? Yes.
Now that doesn’t mean I think you should use ice cold butter for your buttercreams… but for brioche recipes made in humid climates esp if they’re made in a Hobart, oh YEA. butter should be colder, to help the yeast not get buck wild as the friction of the machine heats things up.

The humidity in the DMV is nothing to be played with. So if you think that your doughs are acting a bit wonky, well… your dough might be a little bit too caliente 🔥

What do you think? Is it room temp only or should we be playing with more cold butter in the pastry kitchen?

🥰
#butter

Paola Velez Instagram - Story time: I often don’t talk about the work that I’ve done online, because I had this misconception of seeming like i’m bragging too much or like I was boasting. But I’ve been working on how I see the work that I’ve done and how I feel when I share these stories with you all. One of my favorite campaigns happened to be when I worked with Presidente and with the Alex Rodriguez. I’m a kid from the Bronx so you absolutely know that my head was spinning as I prepped to be on set for hours with someone that both Dominicans and NYers hold in high esteem.

But the story isn’t about the campaign or boasting about the work. Which side bar: was absolutely SO COOL lol. The crew was so sweet and took over a bakery and transformed it into what they thought my future bakery might look like. (Insane!)

But a story about human connection. During takes we A-Rod and I were staged next to each other, me on double Apple boxes so that my 5’2 self could look like a normal sized human next to Mr. Rodriguez. And in between takes I had to make small talk, so instead of making it awkward, I started telling A-Rod about my summers in the Dominican Republic. Which led me to one of my favorite stories to tell of the mango that fell like a rocket onto my head one summer in the Dominican Republic.

The story goes, I remember the first time that I realized that you don’t stand under the mango tree during mango season. As a kid I wouldn’t always listen to my mother, as any free spirited creative kid does. So in trying to find shade from the blazing Caribbean sun I stood underneath one of my families mango trees. Unbeknown to me a slight wind would be unleashing a Banilejo mango that with gravity would end up feeling like a 10 ton anvil landed on the tender spot of my adolescent head.
Trust me it was a shocking wake up call that taught me in real time Newtons laws of gravity. LOL

I heard the soft sound of the wind rustling amongst the trees, a snap, a whoosh and then black out. A mango landed straight onto the top of my dome.

I remember coming to, and hearing my aunt yell out to my mom “¡¡¡Un mango cayó sobre la cabeza de Paola!!!!!”
T: “a mango fell onto Paola’s head!”
Con’t:

Paola Velez Instagram - Bodega Bakes: Lemon Cookies with a soundtrack! 🤣
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Available wherever fine books are sold 🍇💕
#BodegaBakes #LemonCookies #Cookbook #asmrbaking #asmrsound 🍋

Cover photo by @laurenviedallen

Paola Velez Instagram - How I did it? With a wonderful team!
Co-writer @egtimberlake
Photographer @laurenviedallen
@inherentlybeth @all.opal @jacquelineisabella
Foreword @christinatosi
Food stylist @hadleysui
@iamsprung
@duchessdelights
Prop stylist @summer_stylist
Designer @allychi
Photography director @jenhalps
My amazing editors @amandaenglander @clo_nyc
Book agent @ricasuave
Recipe testers @marymdodd @sugarchef62
Publicists @taa_pr @theashleydc @gansie @abakwawu
And the amazing senior marketing and publicity manager Blanca from @unionsqandco

Oh look it seems like it’s an all femme team 🥹🤝🏽🍇🧁
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Happy Friday everyone and remember, TEAM WORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK!

Paola Velez Instagram - Yuca & Caviar
Crispy yuca fritter, lemon crema, pickled onion & cilantro

Paola Velez Instagram - The Only Lemon cookie recipe you’ll ever need! 🍋
Today we’re baking an OG recipe from my cookbook Bodega Bakes. THE Lemon cookie, a recipe so good that the kids in my family forgot my name!!! When I would spend away from work for the holiday you could find me with a few dozen of these cookies. Extra lemony zest, juice and citric acid take this lemon cookie to the next level.

And if you’re like me a sour candy champion, add a few more sprinkles of citric acid to make your mouth look like the war heads packaging 😗

I’m happy to report that the kids in my family have learned that calling me by my name is better than calling me the cookie lady. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t still ask for cookies when they see me (the adults too haha)

If you want to get into this recipe and more like it, preorder my cookbook Bodega Bakes

PREORDER NOW, BAKE LATER! 🍇

Lemon cookie photo by @laurenviedallen

Paola Velez Instagram - I want to try an elote latte 🥹 Dios mio, I’m not fighting at all this spring for my summer body. HELP.
#chefreation #reactionvideos

Paola Velez Instagram - Living my best SEÑORA era! I might be a cringey millennial but at least Im ✨free✨LOL.
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OK, on a serious note, what are some of the things that you fear when you are going to post online and why is that holding you back from posting whatever you wanna post?
#postitanyway #millennialcore

Paola Velez - 17.6K Likes - Haven’t done one of these in a while… is this video a waste of my time? 100/10 LOL I’ll be setting up my corner to cry in porque que fue esto 😂😭

#chefreations #reactionvideos #isthisvideoawasteofmytime

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17.6K Likes – Paola Velez Instagram

Caption : Haven’t done one of these in a while… is this video a waste of my time? 100/10 LOL I’ll be setting up my corner to cry in porque que fue esto 😂😭 #chefreations #reactionvideos #isthisvideoawasteofmytime
Likes : 17551

Paola Velez - 3.4K Likes - SURPRISE! BODEGA BAKES is now available for pre-orders!
Bodega Bakes is my love letter to Dominican and Americana baking, technicolor, NYC, THE BRONX & our childhood corner stores (La Bodega).
Foreword by the absolute bestest @christinatosi
With 100 recipes including y’all’s faves THICK’ems, plantain sticky buns, tortas and so much more!!!
I can’t wait to see you baking from this book! Available everywhere haha!!! (But visit my website to find all the links 😉)

Thank you to the amazing Chefs and wonderful humans who gave blurbs for this book! @jacquespepinfoundation @gailsimmonseats @doriegreenspan @carlaphall @mashamabailey @cherylday

And to the amazing team that put this wonderful book together. (They worked so hard to make it perfect, perfect, perfect!)
My cowriter @egtimberlake
Photographer @laurenviedallen
Food stylist @hadleysui
Prop stylist @summer_stylist
Editors @amandaenglander & @clo_nyc
The whole @unionsqandco team!
@ricasuave my awesome book agent
@taa_pr (@abakwawu @theashleydc @gansie) my publicists
& of course my BOO @h_papi

Publishing on October 1st, 2024

#bodegabakes #cookbook #bookstagram #coverreveal #unionsquareandco #dominicanchef #dominicancookbook #pastrychef #bombesquad #chefpaolavelez #bronx

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3.4K Likes – Paola Velez Instagram

Caption : SURPRISE! BODEGA BAKES is now available for pre-orders! Bodega Bakes is my love letter to Dominican and Americana baking, technicolor, NYC, THE BRONX & our childhood corner stores (La Bodega). Foreword by the absolute bestest @christinatosi With 100 recipes including y’all’s faves THICK’ems, plantain sticky buns, tortas and so much more!!! I can’t wait to see you baking from this book! Available everywhere haha!!! (But visit my website to find all the links 😉) Thank you to the amazing Chefs and wonderful humans who gave blurbs for this book! @jacquespepinfoundation @gailsimmonseats @doriegreenspan @carlaphall @mashamabailey @cherylday And to the amazing team that put this wonderful book together. (They worked so hard to make it perfect, perfect, perfect!) My cowriter @egtimberlake Photographer @laurenviedallen Food stylist @hadleysui Prop stylist @summer_stylist Editors @amandaenglander & @clo_nyc The whole @unionsqandco team! @ricasuave my awesome book agent @taa_pr (@abakwawu @theashleydc @gansie) my publicists & of course my BOO @h_papi Publishing on October 1st, 2024 #bodegabakes #cookbook #bookstagram #coverreveal #unionsquareandco #dominicanchef #dominicancookbook #pastrychef #bombesquad #chefpaolavelez #bronx
Likes : 3385

Paola Velez - 2.6K Likes - Coquito cheesecake for the road. 😂 Pastry chef Paola Velez made our morning extra sweet!

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2.6K Likes – Paola Velez Instagram

Caption : Coquito cheesecake for the road. 😂 Pastry chef Paola Velez made our morning extra sweet!
Likes : 2641

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1.2K Likes – Paola Velez Instagram

Caption : Catch me today @barprovidenciadc with chef @erikbruneryang until 8pm for Baked Alaska Frio Frio and to celebrate the opening of Providencia! Frio Frio: translating into cold cold this Dominican shaved ice is layered with Leche dulce, Virginia plum guava syrup and Dominican Suspiro (meringue) that’s torched to order. It’s on the Providencia menu for maybe today, or maybe for longer 🤷🏽‍♀️ who knows! #dceats #bakedalaska #bakedalaskashavedice #washingtondc #domincianfood #popup #pastrylove #friofrio
Likes : 1204

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1.2K Likes – Paola Velez Instagram

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1.2K Likes – Paola Velez Instagram

Paola Velez - 1.2K Likes - WE’RE NOT GOING BACK!!!!!!!!!!
@kamalaharris

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1.2K Likes – Paola Velez Instagram

Caption : WE’RE NOT GOING BACK!!!!!!!!!! @kamalaharris
Likes : 1159

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1.2K Likes – Paola Velez Instagram

Caption : WE’RE NOT GOING BACK!!!!!!!!!! @kamalaharris
Likes : 1159

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1.1K Likes – Paola Velez Instagram

Caption : BODEGA BAKES PREORDER GIVEAWAY! 🍇Enter for a chance to win!!! 🍇 To celebrate the publication of my cookbook, Bodega Bakes, on sale 10/1, I’m hosting FIVE amazing preorder giveaways starting on Tuesday, September 3! Here’s the prize lineup: 🍇 9/3: (1) Le Creuset 5.5 qt pot and (1) 4-piece Heritage Bakeware Essentials set (color: shallot), 🍇 9/10: (1) Le Creuset 5.5 qt pot and (1) 4-piece Heritage Bakeware Essentials set (color: shallot 🍇 9/17: (1) Le Creuset 5.5 qt pot and (1) 4-piece Heritage Bakeware Essentials set (color: shallot) 🍇 9/24: (1) Kitchen Aid 5 qt stand mixer (color: aqua sky) 🍇 10/1: (1) Vitamix, 5200 Blender 64oz (color: white) Bodega Bakes Preorder Giveaway Instructions: 1. Pre-order a copy of BODEGA BAKES from your favorite retailer 2. Upload proof of purchase 3. That’s it! Haha. Easy as tamarind pecan pie Everyone who enters will receive 4 bonus recipes. Instantly!!! (That’s 4 exclusive desserts not included in the cookbook just for preordering!) If you don’t win one week, you will automatically be re-entered for a chance to win the following week. Winners will be announced on Tuesdays starting on 9/3. Only one winner will be announced per prize, per week. Rules: Order from any retailer • Proof of purchase can be a receipt, email confirmation, or receipt screenshot • One entry per unique receipt • Submissions end September 30, 2024 at 11:59PM EDT • Read full rules, terms, and conditions on website. Please Note: * 18 and US residents only * This giveaway is not connected or affiliated with Instagram * Total individual prize value up to $594.99 #bakingfromscratch #pastrychef #giveaway #cookbooks #bookstagram #bakersofinstagram
Likes : 1093

Paola Velez - 1K Likes - Get ready for an incredibly sweet adventure🍇📚✨! I’m thrilled to share the ¡Hola Paola! Book tour dates with you all. 🗓️

Click the link in my bio to discover the tour stops and join me and my friends on this cross country journey. I can’t wait to meet you all in person!

@nordstrom @nordstromrestaurantgroup
@boldforkbooks @chabelacoss
@rizzolibookstore @lahbco
@thelitbar
@frenchtown_bookshop
@dreamworldmakes @sisterlylovephilly
@southernsmokefoundation
@brazosbookstore @chefdawnburrell
@canjeatx @tavel19
@pullmanmarket @kevinfinktx @emmerhospitality
@latinaspoderosas @carlasfreshmarket @kaydayallday
@nowservingla @roxanajullapat
@wearefriendsandfamily
@chefnel4 @alamaroakland
@omnivorebooks
@booklarder
@communionseattle @thatbrowngirlcooks @arvin_kyle_b
@platformbyjbf @theduskykitchen
@bembrooklyn @mofad

#holapaola #booktour #cookbook #bookstagram #bodegas #bronxny #bookish #meetandgreet #pastrylove #pastrychef

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1K Likes – Paola Velez Instagram

Caption : Get ready for an incredibly sweet adventure🍇📚✨! I’m thrilled to share the ¡Hola Paola! Book tour dates with you all. 🗓️ Click the link in my bio to discover the tour stops and join me and my friends on this cross country journey. I can’t wait to meet you all in person! @nordstrom @nordstromrestaurantgroup @boldforkbooks @chabelacoss @rizzolibookstore @lahbco @thelitbar @frenchtown_bookshop @dreamworldmakes @sisterlylovephilly @southernsmokefoundation @brazosbookstore @chefdawnburrell @canjeatx @tavel19 @pullmanmarket @kevinfinktx @emmerhospitality @latinaspoderosas @carlasfreshmarket @kaydayallday @nowservingla @roxanajullapat @wearefriendsandfamily @chefnel4 @alamaroakland @omnivorebooks @booklarder @communionseattle @thatbrowngirlcooks @arvin_kyle_b @platformbyjbf @theduskykitchen @bembrooklyn @mofad #holapaola #booktour #cookbook #bookstagram #bodegas #bronxny #bookish #meetandgreet #pastrylove #pastrychef
Likes : 1020