Whisked Away

A Curated Baking Getaway for Passionate Bakers

by The Bake Fest

Returning in 2027

...in a new city

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See what's included in a Whisked Away weekend...

Treat yourself to an unforgettable weekend celebrating the art of baking like never before.

Whisked Away is a boutique baking getaway curated by the founder of The Bake Fest, Stefani Pollack. Every moment has been thoughtfully designed with experiences you simply can’t book on your own.

Exclusive Access, Unforgettable Experiences

Chicago, 2025

  • Private tours of iconic bakeries with behind-the-scenes access.
  • Hands-on classes at the Wilton Sweet Studio, where attendees decorated like pros and toured their newly updated headquarters and Innovation Center.
  • A pastry class with Baker Bettie, a classically-trained chef, bestselling cookbook author, and one of The Bake Fest’s most beloved instructors, in her retro-themed school.
  • An intimate conversation with Chef Gale Gand, award-winning pastry chef, Food Network host, and Julia Child collaborator.
  • A chef-curated welcome dinner, a private Chicago River dinner cruise, and so much more!

Kansas City, 2026

  • A hands-on pie workshop led by Erin Jeanne McDowell, the industry’s "Queen of Pie" and the newest Contributing Editor at Bake from Scratch magazine.
  • A chef-curated welcome dinner at one of Kansas City’s premier culinary landmarks, designed to kick off our weekend with elevated seasonal flavors.
  • The Best of KC Behind-the-Scenes Bakery Tour, a behind-the-scenes journey through Erin’s personal favorite shops featuring private tastings and professional insights.
  • The Saltwell Experience, a destination evening at a historic 1800s farmhouse featuring a heritage grain demonstration and a farm-to-table feast in a walnut grove.
  • Cookie Artistry with Cynthia Raven, an intimate session featuring tailored instruction grouped by skill level to help you master new decorating techniques and artful design.

Your Invitation to an Extra­ordinary Experience

  • Learn directly from top professionals in hands-on workshops.
  • Gain insider access to the world of baking.
  • Build friendships and memories to last a lifetime.

We’ve thought of everything, so you don’t have to

From transportation and meals to immersive experiences, we handle every detail so you can relax, learn, and create. Whether you’re an expert baker or just getting started, this weekend will leave you inspired and recharged.

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What a Whisked Away Weekend Feels Like

“I felt like a baking VIP the whole weekend! Every detail was perfectly curated and I would 100% do it again just to experience the magic!”

– Katelyn S.

“I felt important. I felt special. I felt honored to be present. I came back more confident.’

– Loretta W.

“It changed me forever. I learned new skills, honed ones I already had, made long lasting connections and solidified my love of baking.”

– Karen P.

Meet Your Host

Stefani Pollack

Stefani Pollack is the visionary behind The Bake Fest and Cupcake Project. The Bake Fest unites thousands of bakers through premier virtual events, professional development programs, and educational opportunities, while Cupcake Project serves as a go-to resource for creative recipes and baking inspiration. For nearly two decades, Stef has been a trusted voice in the baking community, inspiring bakers to try new techniques, build confidence, and embrace creativity with her approachable and innovative style.
Not only is Stef a seasoned baking expert and avid traveler, but she’s also deeply passionate about fostering meaningful connections. This getaway reflects her love of community, making it the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in baking, share unforgettable experiences, and connect with like-minded enthusiasts. From exclusive bakery tours to hands-on classes, Stef can’t wait to welcome you to this extraordinary weekend.

Sample Weekend Highlights

Chef-Curated Welcome DinnerS

We believe the best way to start a getaway is around a shared table. On Friday evening, we gather at a top-tier restaurant for an unforgettable welcome dinner. This is the official kickoff to our weekend and your first opportunity to connect with your fellow bakers and instructors over incredible food and drinks.

We select a venue that perfectly reflects the elevated and intentional spirit of Whisked Away. Expect a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. By the time dessert is served, you’ll have traded stories, made new friends, and set the stage for the hands-on magic beginning the next morning.

HANDS-ON Baking and Decorating Workshops

Across both Whisked Away Chicago and Whisked Away Kansas City, guests have enjoyed a rotating lineup of special, intimate, and highly curated baking and pastry experiences taught by experts.

Past offerings have included learning the art of choux pastry with Kristin “Baker Bettie” Hoffman at Bettie’s Chicago, exploring pie perfection with world-renowned baking expert Erin Jeanne McDowell, practicing detailed cookie decorating techniques with sugar artist Cynthia Raven, a Pavlova demonstration and conversation with legendary Chicago pastry chef and restaurateur Chef Gale Gand, a chocolate workshop at a culinary college, and learning the art of making strudel guided by heritage volunteers who have spent their lives perfecting this craft.

Each weekend is built around access to distinctive culinary talent, regional flavor, and memorable hands-on moments.

You’ll walk away with the practical skills and confidence to create desserts that are both breathtaking and delicious.

Behind-the-Scenes Bakery Tours

We curate unique and interesting bakeries to give you a deep and varied look at the city’s best craftsmanship.

At every stop, you’ll go beyond the front counter for exclusive, behind-the-scenes experiences and guided tastings. You’ll have the opportunity to see how these successful shops operate, hear from the bakers themselves about their signature techniques, and – of course – sample the best of what they have to offer.

You’ll enjoy an inspiring deep dive into the business and the beauty of baking.

Unforgettable Dining Experiences

Whether it’s a destination dining experience at a historic 1800s farmhouse for a farm-to-table dinner celebrating local foraging and produce, a dinner cruise with panoramic skyline views and an open bar, or an iconic, one-of-a-kind culinary institution that captures the distinct culture, history, and flavor of its city, we aim to provide you with unforgettable dining experiences tailored to every taste and destination throughout the whole weekend.

Partnerships

Across past Whisked Away weekends, partnerships have added real value to the experience through access, product discovery, and hands-on learning with respected culinary brands.

Attendees have decorated inside the Wilton Sweet Studio, toured Wilton’s updated headquarters and Innovation Center, and gotten a behind-the-scenes look at how baking tools, techniques, and new ideas are developed. Other partnerships have included Challenge Butter, giving attendees the chance to bake with a newly launched product in a hands-on class setting, and LĒVO, known for kitchen appliances that infuse butter, oils, honey, and more with herbs and other ingredients.

Together, these partnerships bring you closer to the brands, tools, and techniques shaping modern baking.

PAST Guides and Experts

Kristin "Baker Bettie" Hoffman

Chicago

Kristin “Baker Bettie” Hoffman is a classically trained chef, bestselling cookbook author, and the creator of the popular Baker Bettie brand, with over half a million followers across social media. Known for her warm, approachable teaching style, she has inspired bakers around the world to master techniques and gain confidence in the kitchen.

At her 1950s retro-themed baking school, Bettie’s Chicago, she combines professional expertise with a passion for community, creating a space where bakers of all levels feel welcome. Her ability to make even the most intimidating recipes approachable has earned her a loyal following and cemented her reputation as one of The Bake Fest’s most cherished instructors.

Judith Dunbar hines

Chicago

With over 35 years of experience, Judith Dunbar Hines has been a pivotal figure in Chicago’s culinary scene. As the former Director of Culinary Arts and Events for the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs, she developed groundbreaking culinary tourism initiatives and launched Chicago’s Downtown Farmstand to highlight local produce.

Judith has also served as a culinary instructor, event manager, and food columnist, always emphasizing that cooking should be fun, not a chore. Her extensive experience includes working with renowned chefs like Martin Yan and Jacques Pépin, and she has been recognized as one of Chicago’s top cooking teachers. During the getaway, Judith will lead our bakery tour, providing rich insights into Chicago’s diverse food culture and history.

Chef Gale Gand

Chicago

Gale Gand is a pastry chef and chef and was a co-founder, pastry chef, and partner in the Michelin two-star restaurant, Tru, in Chicago. She hosted Food Network’s long running show “Sweet Dreams” (currently streaming on Discovery Plus), is the author of 8 cookbooks, and worked with Julia Child on her book and PBS series, “Baking with Julia”. Gale teaches cooking classes all over the country and is an artisanal soda pop maker producing Gale’s Root Beer which is sold nationally. She has received 2 James Beard Awards, has been inducted to the American Academy of Chefs and the Chicago Chefs Hall of Fame, and was schooled in Paris at La Varenne.

Gale appears at many Food and Wine festivals across the country and is a professional Pie and Food Competition Judge. In 2022 she volunteered to cook in Poland and Ukraine with Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen and taught a Chocolate and Vanilla Master Class at a Culinary School in Derry, Northern Ireland. She is the mother of 3, has a BFA from RIT in Metalsmithing, and plays the ukulele. Fun fact-She once made a Peach Cobbler for Aretha Franklin.

Kendall College

Chicago

On Sunday morning, we’ll gather at Kendall College, a premier culinary institution in Chicago, for a hands-on chocolate truffle-making class with Chef Jing P. Palasigue. Known for its top-tier culinary and hospitality programs, Kendall shapes the future of the food industry.

In this exclusive class, Chef Jing will teach the art of hand-rolled chocolate truffles, from emulsifying ganache to working with couverture chocolate and tempering using the tabling method. You’ll get hands-on experience enrobing, dipping, and rolling your own decadent confections.

A Pastry Chef Instructor and Certified Master Sugar Artist, Chef Jing is internationally recognized for his cake and sugar artistry. He’s been featured on Food Network’s The Big Bake: Halloween and showcased on ABC 7 Chicago and WGN 9 News. As the founder of Cakes ‘n Crumbs Bakery, he blends artistry with entrepreneurship. This is your chance to learn from a master chocolatier in a world-class pastry kitchen!

Erin Jeanne McDowell

Kansas City

Erin Jeanne McDowell is an author, teacher, and video host specializing in baking. She is the author of The Fearless Baker, Savory Baking, and the bestselling The Book on Pie.

She writes the Happy Baking newsletter on Substack and hosts the Happy Baking video series on YouTube, where she shares recipes and deep dives into baking science and technique. Erin has appeared as a Baking Coach on The Big Nailed It Baking Challenge on Netflix, and her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Food & Wine, Food Network, Better Homes & Gardens, Food52, and more.

Cynthia Raven

Kansas City

Cynthia Raven is a lifelong baker and artist who turned a passion for sugar artistry into a celebrated career. With a Master’s Degree in Adult and Continuing Education and over 20 years in professional development, Cynthia specializes in the science of teaching. She has a unique gift for breaking down complex techniques into actionable steps, ensuring every student finds success.

Since 2019, Cynthia has been an instructor at CookieCon events nationwide and was a featured competitor on Food Network’s Holiday Wars. Her work has appeared on CBS Mornings and in numerous national publications. As the founder of Sugar Chat Cookie Studio, Cynthia merges her background in fine arts with her expertise in adult learning to create a joyful, high-touch environment where bakers of all levels can master the art of the cookie.

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SAMPLE Itinerary at a Glance

Friday

Afternoon: Arrival & Check-In

Evening: Welcome Dinner

Saturday

Morning: Split Group Activities

  • Expert-led Baking Workshop
  • Creative Baking Demo

Afternoon: Split Group Activities

  • Behind-the-Scenes Bakery Tour
  • Hands-on Baking

Evening: Elevated Dinner Experience

Sunday

Morning: Split Group Activities*

  • Expert-led Baking workshop
  • Creative Baking Demo

Afternoon: Split Group Activities*

  • Behind-the-Scenes Bakery Tour
  • Hands-on Baking

*Participants will switch to experience the activities they didn’t do on Saturday.

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Travel and Accommo­dations

Stay in Style With Whisked Away

Wherever we end up going, we always reserve a block of rooms for our attendees at a highly-rated property. Our goal is to make travel planning as easy as possible while giving everyone a comfortable, convenient home base for the weekend.

Transportation During the Weekend

Once you’ve settled in, you can leave the rest of the transportation planning to us. Throughout the getaway, all transportation will be covered, like ride shares or a private charter bus for our group excursions. Wherever we’re headed together, all transportation has been arranged to ensure that the logistics are stress-free. Your only job is to enjoy the journey and experience everything our baking getaway has to offer!

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