Baylor Also Launches 'Making Meals for Mothers' Fundraising Campaign to Benefit Citymeals-on-Wheels
NEW YORK, May 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Aliyyah Baylor, a third-generation celebrity baker and co-owner of Make My Cake, (makemycake.com) continues to carry on a 30-year family tradition of making mouth-watering Southern-style recipes that she learned while watching her mother and grandmother. Now her culinary expertise has gained the notice of Country Living magazine. Baylor graces the pages of the May issue of Country Living with her idea of a baker's dream kitchen that includes the key ingredients for a high-functioning space.
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140501/83029
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140501/83028
Baylor went bold with aesthetics of country style. Working closely with interior decorator Leslie Solan and kitchen designer Rebekah Zaveloff, she was able to combine Southern kitchen traditions with a touch of Harlem for a space that feels warm and inviting yet modern.
The kitchen's modern country theme is tied together with white and blue hues, including Villa Ceramic Tiles, Armstrong Cabinets, Kathy Ireland pillows with the centerpiece of the kitchen a BlueStar® 48" RNB with 12" built-in griddle and 6" backguard in a Brilliant Blue, with Copper Trim. BlueStar® cooking products are handcrafted and designed for discerning home chefs who demand restaurant-quality results in their own kitchens. (bluestarcooking.com) The range is complemented by a Prizer Hood® 48" Bonanza in Brilliant Blue, with stainless steel strapping and copper rivets. The hood sets a tone for Aliyyah's kitchen by bringing together a unique combination of fully customizable designs and commercial grade performance. (www.prizerhoods.com)
"After completing the renovations I realized that most of my life memories are tied to kitchens," said Aliyyah, "I grew up watching my grandmother, Ma Smith, whipping up mouth-watering, southern style recipes. Our family's kitchen also severed as the town center where we discussed news of the day and later it became the launching pad for our business."
"I wanted a kitchen that not only felt like home, but would also give me similar results as when I bake in my shop. That's why the cooking equipment was so important to me—I actually love them. The range and hood are gorgeous, and they are true professional equipment for the home," says Aliyyah.
Baylor remembers being 13 years old helping her mother, Joann, bake and sell their now-famous baked goods from their kitchen until overwhelming popular demand forced the family to open two storefront locations and recently a dessert truck. Make My Cake has become a destination and a neighborhood favorite, bringing not only New Yorkers through the doors, but also international followers for their comfort baked goods.
Besides working to deliver a dream kitchen to Country Living, Baylor is also working to give back to those in need. "Family has been the key ingredient in the success of the business as is the customers we serve, that is why Make My Cake will launch a fundraising campaign during the month of May, Making Meals for Mothers, to benefit Citymeals-on-Wheels," announced Baylor. "Making Meals for Mothers' goal is to help Citymeals provide hot, nutritious meals to homebound elderly throughout Upper Manhattan."
The campaign includes fundraising – and fun – events like Champagne and Cupcakes (Tuesday, May 6) and a House Tour/Cooking Demo featuring her Country Living Kitchen located in Hudson Valley, New York (Saturday, May 31).
"All seniors deserve to live a nourished life with independence and dignity," said Aliyyah. "It's startling that 60% of Citymeals recipients are women, 42.5% live below 150% of the federal poverty line, and rely on the home-delivered meal program to meet their basic food needs. It's my hope that Making Meals for Mothers will ensure no senior – whether she is a mother or grandmother – will go hungry," stated Baylor.
Feeding and caring for older New Yorkers since 1981, Citymeals-on-Wheels (citymeals.org) provides a continuous lifeline of nutritious food and human company to the city's homebound elderly. Citymeals works with community-based meal centers to deliver over 2 million weekend, holiday and emergency meals to 18,000 of our frail aged neighbors. Last year, more than 12,000 volunteers provided over 55,000 hours of service.
Citymeals relies on the generosity of sponsors, its Board of Directors, the City of New York and other designated gifts to cover administrative costs. This ensures that 100% of all public donations goes directly to the preparation and delivery of meals.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend. To RSVP for the Champagne and Cupcakes email Email and to make a donation to Citymeals, please visit citymeals.org/makemycake
Suggested donations:
-$25 donation provides meals to 3 frail aged residents of Central Harlem
-$65 donation provides 10 meals to homebound elderly residing in Harlem and Washington Heights
Contact: Candace Sandy 646.298.5506
Email