I’m an Arizona native who moved to DC after finishing grad school. I work in politics...

...for a DC based Think Tank. I came here with the goal of making a difference in the world, and I’m pretty sure I do that better with baked goods. I run races, play in a kickball league, travel frequently and thoroughly enjoy life. My motto is that the glass isn’t half full or half empty. It’s completely full. Half water and half air, and we need both to survive. Cherry Tea Cakes is actually a play on the word charity. With my spare time I love to bake and don’t really care about the money so I take local jobs and donate the proceeds to charity, usually a local food bank.

How long have you been a Daring Baker/Daring Cook and what’s your favorite thing about being in the group(s) so far?

I’m a Daring Baker Virgin!!! This is my first time! But don’t worry! My mother was a wedding cake artist. I’m not new to the kitchen!

What’s your favorite kitchen gadget? How about your favorite kitchen appliance?

My favorite gadget recently is my “egg” slicer. I’ve been doing a lot of strawberry dishes and I love slicing strawberries with it! My favorite appliance is difficult, but I would never make it anywhere without my food scale.

Are you known for making a certain dish or dessert? If so, what is it?

Dish no. Genre yes! I’m a caker! This last year I held a cake-off. We called it “Let Them Eat Cake” and we sure did! We held a vote for the winner and had nearly 20 entrants. It was a fantastic party!

Is there any recipe and/or technique that we haven’t covered yet that you’d really like to make/learn?

Oh I don’t know! From past posts I’ve looked through I’m fairly on par. Personally I love making macarons, but that’s just me.

Do you have a favorite movie? Book? Genre of music? Actor? Actress?

I love Queen and Zeplin, but my movie taste heads more towards Audrey Hepburn classics. I’m capricious in my tastes. They change almost daily.

You’ve just won $5000.00!!! What would you spend it on?

A Mediterranean vacation. Mmmmmmmmm sunshine and everything drenched in olive oil. Sign me up!

What is the ultimate comfort food to you?

Enchiladas with a fried egg on top. My grandfather made them all the time. They’re my go to item when I need a little pick me up.

Which season (Winter, Summer, Spring, Fall) is your favorite.. why?

SUMMER! I’m a sun child. I love the warmth, colors, festivals, vacations, barbecue…I can’t see how it could get any better!

Other than cooking and/or baking.. what hobbies do you enjoy?

I run, sing, dance and do yoga. I play model for some photographer friends now and then, and play on an adult kickball team. I also have a weekly pub trivia night with my friends.

How long have you been blogging? Do you like it? What’s your favorite post you’ve written?

I’ve been blogging for years, but the baking blog just started this year. So far my favorite post is either my salted caramel dark chocolate pizookie or triple chocolate cookie dough ice cream. I LOVE chocolate.

What’s your favorite cookbook for desserts/baking? What’s your favorite cookbook for savory/cooking?

For savory I love all things Jaime Oliver. I love the simplistic style of food that enhances flavors. For desserts….I could never choose.

Is there one food that you seriously dislike/hate? If so, which is it and why?

I try not to say mean things! haha

What’s your favorite flower and/or plant?

I love tulips and Lucille Ball roses.

Do you have a favorite local restaurant? If so, why is it your favorite and what kind of food is served there?

I love Zaytinya in DC. It’s Mediterranean tappas. I recommend doing a tasting menu.

Who taught you how to cook and/or bake?

My grandma taught me to cook. I had meatballs memorized by the time I was four. But my mother taught me to bake. She’s a great caker.

What’s your favorite holiday and why?

I’m all about the forth of July. I love the fireworks, the comradery and the sense of community surrounding it. I love that sound of oohs and aahs across the crowd when a beautiful firework goes off, and of course the summertime treats that go with it!

Reading any good books lately? Which ones?!

I’ve been working my way through the The Girl with the Dragan Tattoo series.

You’ve had a rough week. How do you relax after a rough week?

I take advantage of my antique food bath tub and take a large bubble bath and turn on a movie and just take a time out.

Where is your favorite vacation (holiday) destination?

My best vacation was in Paris. It’s a wonderful city. I love the Middle East though. Jerusalem is such a unique city, and my time in Abu Dhabi and Dubai was fascinating.

What is your favorite cooking/food related magazine? Why?

I’m a fan of Bon Appetite. They rarely let me down.

Do you have a food addiction?

chocoholic all the way.

What did you eat for dinner last night? Did you prepare it or someone else?

last night was a BBQ for memorial day. I made some chocolate cherry cupcakes and left the grilling to the menfolk.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

I work not far from a DC cupcakery and when I have a bad day I take a walk and get a peanut butter blossom cupcake. Cheers me up every time.

What kind of colors do you like? Pastels? Earth tones? Brights? Neons? Etc.

Every color has it’s place. Lately I Love Turquoise, Yellow and Red.

If you had the choice of a free kitchen, bathroom, living room or bedroom makeover – which would you choose and why?

How grandiose can I go? If we make over my kitchen it’d better be high end.

The Martha – Angel of Domestication or Minion of Evil? Why?

Her staff is amazing. She is evil and gets too much credit for what others do. Amazingly and brilliant business mind. But domestic? HA! I know too many people who have worked for her. She is more like the evil genius.

Do you watch any competitive cooking shows? Like Top Chef or Hell’s Kitchen? If so, which is your favorite and why?

I love Top Chef and Iron Chef. I even hold an Iron Chef based pot luck once a month. The winner chooses next months ingredient. We have been doing that for over a year and we LOVE it.

What’s your favorite “sweet” spice? How about your favorite “savory” spice?

I love adding almond extract. Savory? Has to be cardamom.

If you could eat in any celebrity chef’s restaurant which restaurant would it be, and which chef owns it?

My problem is I don’t tend to like celebrity chef restaurants. I’ve been to paula deen’s, wolfgang pucks, emeril’s etc. They don’t tend to win me over. I’d rather eat at a James Beard Award winners table.

What’s your favorite herb to cook or bake with? Do you prefer fresh or dried?

Fresh everything! So much difference. Lately I’ve been playing around with rosemary most often. I am very intriqued with lavender and am trying to get up the nerve to make my own extract.

Is there one recipe on your blog that you would like to share with us? If so, leave the link here.

just one???? http://www.cherryteacakes.com/2010/05/chocolate-mousse.html

Do you have a time saving kitchen tip you’d like to share with us?

haha yeah, have a sous chef. but using the egg slicer for everything is really my favorite.

You can visit Jana on her blog Cherry Tea Cakes