Nourishing Hope: A Cookbook for Our Community

The kitchen is more than just a room. It’s where life unfolds—a space where kids do their homework, where tough conversations take place over a cup of tea, where cookies are baked for celebrations, and where every party seems to find its center. The kitchen is the heart of the home, filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories.

But here in Los Angeles, recent fires have taken that heart from so many. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble. Families have lost their homes, their pets, and even their loved ones. The devastation is unimaginable. For many, it’s not just the loss of walls and a roof—it’s the loss of the small, tangible reminders of a life built over years.

The news is filled with stories of resilience: people saving family photo albums, their grandmother’s recipe box, or a child’s favorite drawing. For home cooks, the loss of a kitchen isn’t just about pots, pans, or appliances—it’s about a sanctuary where traditions were passed down and meals were made with love.

Personally, when I packed up my valuables as the fires approached, I reached for mementos from my grandparents—items that hold so much sentimental value for me and my husband. Around me, my neighbors made similar heartbreaking decisions, choosing what small pieces of their lives they could save.

We are also hearing about local food bloggers who have lost their homes. These are individuals we know personally through our TECHmunch food blogger conference. We've made their recipes, attended Christmas cookie parties, and celebrated their successes. For us, this loss is deeply personal.

This is where we call home. The Sunset Fire was a couple of miles away, and everyone in Los Angeles has spent the last week on high alert, not knowing if and when we will be the ones to evacuate. My valuables are still at our door, waiting to be placed in the car (again). Several of our friends have lost their homes. These are homes where we've shared so many memories—50th birthday parties, nightcaps after meals, listening to their kids talk about new businesses, seeing our friends still decorate for Valentine’s Day with tiny mailboxes for their kids to leave valentines in, even though they are adults now. It's where the walls were lined with photos, and the kitchen is where my husband got his head glued back together after a shower curtain fell. Thank you Dr! Every time I make coffee, grab the remote control, or wake up in my own bed, I think about what they've lost.

In times of such loss and uncertainty, I'm turning to what I understand best—food. 

In response to this tragedy, we at BakeSpace.com want to give back to the community that has given us so much. We are creating a community cookbook filled with recipes from our favorite recipe developers, food writers, chefs, bloggers, and home cooks. This cookbook will be a love letter to the food community members in LA who have lost their homes. We will be donating 100% of the profits to them (minus the credit card fees). We’re not sure who will participate or who will donate their recipes, but we are determined to help in a way that creates new memories in the kitchen.

If you'd like to submit a recipe, please let us know. It can be a recipe for food or drink and we hope you share one that holds special meaning for you—like your mom's favorite soup or a cherished family dish. This cookbook will be a celebration of our collective love for food and a testament to the strength and resilience of our community.

To find out more and to send us your recipes, please email us a babette at bakespace dot com for details. Thanks! 

Stay strong, Babette & The BakeSpace Team