Podcast di Gail Sokols

Join Chef Gail and her former student, Marshall, as they discuss whether it is possible to make a pizza as good as a pizzeria. Listen as Marshall describes his many experiments along the way towards his quest to create that special pizza at home.

Learn about the different types of baked goods bakeshop owner Holly Harz makes for her customers with special needs. Listen as Chef Gail and Holly discuss the delicate art of specialty baking which includes: Gluten free, Sugar free, Keto and Paleo.

Join Chef Gail and Holly Harz, a bakery owner in the Adirondacks in New York state, in a conversation about Holly’s business and how she got started. Learn about the many types of baked goods Holly makes and the wedding cakes she specializes in.

Learn the origins of the holiday fruitcake and why it gets no respect! Chef Gail takes you through a history of this legendary cake, why it ages well, and who is actually still eating it. She then shares her idea and recipe for the perfect fruitcake.

Learn what soaking syrups are and how easy they are to make. Chef Gail explains their versatility in the baking world, and how they can elevate the flavor of your baked goods. Many suggestions how to flavor soaking syrups are discussed, as well as the best techniques to soak your cakes like a pro.

Explore the world of oats. Learn about the different types of oats and how your baking can be affected by which type you use. Ever hear of a groat? Chef Gail will share her knowledge and explain all.

All professions have their own lingo and bakers are no different. Explore some interesting baking terms with Chef Gail and the explanations behind them. Although the terms she discusses just scratch the surface, this episode will leave you wanting more!

Explore what vital wheat gluten is and how it can improve your yeast breads. Chef Gail delves into the science of gluten to explain exactly how this magical ingredient works, and how it can up your game in creating the best yeast breads ever!

Explore the Reuben sandwich, what it is, and how to construct one. Learn the two possible origins of this eclectic sandwich and how it became so popular. Chef Gail shares her special Reuben Braid recipe so that you, too, can make this famous sandwich for a crowd.

Chef Gail explores the world of still frozen desserts, and specifically, the semifreddo. Learn what a semifreddo is, its’ origins, and how to up your game by creating this posh dessert which is so easy to make. The chef also shares one of her favorite recipes for this simple semifreddo.

Learn the difference between a macaroon versus a macaron. Known for their exquisite beauty and flavor profile, they can be expensive when purchased through bakeshops. Why not learn to make them yourself with Chef Gail as your guide? She shares her best macarons recipe, and all the pitfalls you should avoid.…

Enter the world of frangipane. Learn the origins of exactly what frangipane is and how you can “up your game” when creating tempting pastries using it. Chef Gail shares a simple recipe she has used to much acclaim in the restaurants she has worked in as a pastry chef. She gives you the lowdown on how the frangipane craze actually got started!…

Learn the origin of curds, and what they are. Chef Gail explores the endless possibilities on how to use this easily made rich treat in your baked goods. She shares her tips on how to get the smoothest, richest curd ever! Her two recipes are shared and two step by step videos to watch her make them.Di Gail Sokol

Learn what a laminated dough is. Chef Gail shares her tricks and discoveries in creating the flakiest croissants ever! Learn which shape the dough should be in to create hundreds of flaky layers, as Chef Gail shares her best croissant recipe and a step by step video to watch as she creates them.Di Gail Sokol

The Popover craze is explored. Making a Popover video on her YouTube channel showed Chef Gail just how wildly popular these quick breads are as her video was viewed thousands of times. She delves into the definition of popovers, and explains the science of exactly how these quick breads grow so tall, giving her five best tips and tricks to creating…

Everyone makes mistakes, even if they do not want to admit it. Making mistakes in the kitchen can be a learning experience. Learn three of the biggest baking mishaps Chef Gail ever had, how she handled them with humor, and the lessons she learned that helped her become a better baker.Di Gail Sokol

Dive into the world of gluten, learn what it is and where it comes from. Chef Gail will explore the importance of gluten, and discuss how to control it so that you can create the best baked goods ever.Di Gail Sokol

Each recipe makes a certain amount of batter to fit into a specific sized pan or pans. To change the size of your pans you need to adjust the ingredient amounts of your recipe so that you don’t have too much or too little batter. Chef Gail discusses how you can adjust a recipe to fit specific sized pans so you know you will always have the correct …

Chef Gail discusses wonderful memories of her paternal grandmother, Etta, and how she helped shape the chef she is today. Get her award winning recipe for Blueberry Muffins.Di Gail Sokol

After a quick review of the different types of pie crusts which Chef Gail highlighted in her “Talking Pie Crusts” show from season 1, she delves into her thought process of exactly how she came up with her Ultimate Chocolate Cream Pie recipe. Learn her secrets as she shares this special recipe with her listeners.…

Everyone wants to be a great baker. A continuation of Chef Gail’s season 1 show, Getting Organized on Your Journey to Baking, learn the five easiest yet crucial hacks to becoming the best baker that you can be.Di Gail Sokol

After a quick review of the process of fermentation and how yeasted doughs rise, Chef Gail shares her favorite Cinnamon Roll recipe. Learn how to make this easy and satisfying yeast bread and never go back to store bought cinnamon rolls again!Di Gail Sokol

Learn the origins of the Black and White cookie, what they are and what you are missing if you have never eaten one. Chef Gail trusts you with her most special recipe giving you tips for success to get the most outrageous Black and White yet!Di Gail Sokol

After a quick review of the first 3 parts of her Sourdough Series, Chef Gail will walk you through one of her favorite sourdough recipes using the wild sourdough starter that you created from Part 3. Learn how to create one of her best recipes for Olive, Onion and Sweet Pepper Sourdough Focaccia.Di Gail Sokol

Learn how to create your own homemade sourdough starter. Chef Gail will teach you how to be patient and with some tender loving care watch as you grow your starter to have for years to come to bake the most incredible bread.Di Gail Sokol

Discover the difference between sourdoughs and other preferments. Chef Gail discusses the science behind the symbiotic relationship that wild yeast can have with the natural bacteria present in the starter. Learn what bacteria contributes to the entire process of sourdough starters, and how their presence contributes to the ultimate flavor of any b…

Delve into the world of preferments, and learn the difference between a sponge and a sourdough. Chef Gail discusses why sourdough breads taste so much more flavorful than straight doughs. She explores why they are worth the trouble to create and nurture into a loaf of incredible bread.Di Gail Sokol

With so many people these days following different diets and eliminating certain foods, creating delectable baked goods for all to enjoy can be a challenge for even the most talented baker. Following up from her season 1 show on How to Lighten Things Up, Chef Gail discusses her preference for a sugar substitute, erythritol, that works quite well in…

Learn how to make the proper substitutions in a favorite recipe to create a scrumptious baked good that even your friends that are on special diets can eat. Chef Gail shares a recipe from her book “Baking with Success” for her warm individual Molten Chocolate Cake recipe which she transforms into a gluten free and sugar free masterpiece for all to …

In season 1, Chef Gail did a show on the various types of Sponge Cakes that rely on the air that is beaten into eggs to leaven them. On today’s show she discusses a special type of sponge cake known as The Genoise. No need to separate eggs for this sponge cake, but you will learn what it means to form a “ribbon” as the batter is being prepared. Che…

In part 6, the last of her cookie series, and the last show of season one, Chef Gail shares all of her best cookie making secrets to ensure that your cookies come out just the way you like them. From preparing your pans properly, to using the correct mixing tools, you can’t help but elevate your cookie baking game.…

In part 5 of her series, Chef Gail wraps up her discussion of the eight types of cookies with the final two types: the piped cookie and finally the wafer cookie. Piped cookie doughs are soft enough to be piped through a pastry bag fitted with a pastry tip to form cookies of various shapes. A recipe for buttery, Vanilla Strip Cookies is given. The l…

In part 4 of her series, Chef Gail delves into sheet cookies and the rolled cookie. Sheet cookies are one of the easiest to prepare in quantity with a simple, looser batter that is poured into a sheet pan. Sheet cookies can even be dressed up with frostings and glazes to elevate them to the next level. They are then cut out into squares or other sh…

In part 3 of her series Chef Gail discusses the molded cookie and the bar cookie. These next two types of cookies are really hands-on, as the dough is rolled and shaped. These are great cookies to make with the kids as well or find your inner child. A Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookie recipe, and a nutty Almond Biscotti recipe are given.…

In part 2 of her series Chef Gail delves head on into the cookie jar further exploring the first two types of cookies, the drop cookie and the refrigerator cookie! Cookies also follow one of three mixing methods. The mixing methods for cookies are not always clear cut as they are for cakes. Two fabulous cookie recipes are shared.…

We all love cookies! There are millions of recipes for cookies of all types. There are so many varieties of cookies, so how do you get a handle on which is which? Cookies are categorized based on how they are placed onto a sheet pan. Chef Gail explores each of the eight categories in detail, giving away her favorite recipes throughout the series.…

We all love baked goods, and when they are homemade they are that much more special. Homemade implies that someone cared enough to make them for us. There are times when we may wish to lighten up our homemade baked goods. Learn how to substitute key ingredients with healthier options to create a baked good that is just as delicious as the original.…

Mangos are one of the most flavorful and colorful tropical fruits you can find. Learn about the mangos’ origin and its’ healthy nutritional profile. Chef Gail will teach you how to choose the best mango for your needs, and how to cut it up safely. She shares a wonderful, fruity dessert using the mango.…

So many people love brownies. Discover that Chef Gail is a diehard brownie lover as well, and always on the look-out for the perfect brownie recipe. She will give you one of her favorite fudge brownie recipes, and then give you four incredible variations. Learn how to change flavors and dress up the simple little brownie.…

After plating and decorating your beautiful dessert with sauces and/or powdered sugar, learn how to elevate your creation to a multi-dimensional experience using the thinnest of cookies known as wafer cookies or tuiles. Tuile is the French word for “roof tile”. Add texture and crunch to the plate by learning how to make a simple wafer cookie that i…

A slice of chocolate cake or a fruit tart on a plate looks nice, not very exciting, but nice. Learn some easy ways to elevate your desserts to a new level using powdered sugar, cocoa powder, dessert sauces and toothpicks. Picture the dessert plate as your canvas and you are the artist. Listen to Chef Gail’s tips on how to create gorgeous plates on …

The last episode of the series explores exactly what occurs when yeast bread goes into the oven to bake. Learn whether or not your bread needs a wash brushed over it before baking, and find out what washes are made of. Discover how yeast bread develops their structure, and what happens to the proteins and starches within the dough to create that st…

The series continues with a discussion on steps four through nine of yeast dough production. Learn what de-gassing or punching refer to, and other relevant terms such as, scaling, rounding , resting, and panning. Chef Gail shares her tips and anecdotes on how to create high quality yeast breads.Di Gail Sokol

Learn the twelve basic steps to creating any yeast bread. Whether you are making an Italian bread, pizza dough, coffeecake or Danish most yeast bread recipes follow these twelve simple steps. In this first of a three part series, the first three steps of yeast bread are discussed. Learn how to measure the ingredients most accurately for the highest…

Baking with kids can certainly be a challenge, but it can, also, be very rewarding and create some wonderful memories between you and your child. Chef Gail has been teaching children to bake for over 18 years. She shares her knowledge and tips on how to know when your child is ready to create some wonderful foods with you in the kitchen.…

Desserts containing fruits is a big subject. Chef Gail defines seven basic fruit desserts, beginning with a Crisp and ending with a Slump. Learn the origins of some of the unusual names of these easy and beloved fruit desserts.Di Gail Sokol

The Chiffon cake as a special type of separated egg foam cake is discussed in detail. This type of cake contains two ingredients that no other sponge cake has- baking powder and oil. Chef Sokol explains what each of these ingredients does for the texture of this specialty sponge cake. A favorite recipe for a Citrus Chiffon cake is given.…

Cakes that use the Sponge method are explored in detail. Sponge cakes are leavened with air, and have less fat than other types of cakes. They are made from egg foams or meringues. The two basic categories of sponge cakes are discussed in detail- Whole Egg Foams and Separated Egg Foams. Chef Sokol breaks down the different types of each category of…

Mousses are defined and discussed in detail. Some mousses use eggs and some do not. Learn about the different types of mousses with chocolate mousse being the emphasis. Chef Sokol reviews the difficulties of combining chocolate and cream, and how to avoid these issues. An authentic recipe for French Chocolate Mousse is given with step by step guida…

Did you know that a marshmallow is really a stabilized meringue that can be made with or without egg whites? Learn why you would want to make them yourself, and how easy they are to create. Find out Chef Sokol’s best tips to get the fluffiest marshmallows ever. She also shares an easy recipe, so you, too, can make your own marshmallows!…