Abigail Johnson Dodge – A Biography

The Short Story

A former pastry chef, Abby Dodge is a widely respected baking expert as well as a popular food writer and instructor. She studied in Paris at La Varenne and is the author of seven cookbooks, including Desserts 4 Today (Taunton Press, 9/2010) and The Weekend Baker, an IACP Cookbook Award Finalist. Her recipes and articles have appeared in more than six dozen cookbooks, publications, blogs and websites. A contributing editor to Fine Cooking magazine, Abby’s recipes have also graced the covers of Bon Appetit magazine. She’s a regular guest on TV and radio and teaches cooking around the country.

The Longer Story

What began as a love for baking at a young age, developed into a passionate and successful career for Abby Dodge. A widely respected expert in baking and cooking for both kids and adults, as well as a popular food writer, instructor and media personality, Abby has a simple mission: To streamline baking and cooking for home cooks of all ages. Stress-free strategies and simple techniques for busy people have garnered awards, rave reviews, and a loyal following for Abby, because “.. despite her serious experience, her approach is relaxed and realistic.”
—Publishers Weekly

Abby began cooking and baking as a young girl at home in New York and Connecticut. She studied in Paris at La Varenne and later worked under superstars Michel Guerard and Guy Savoy, specializing in pastry. She has held editorial posts at Parents and Woman’s Day, and has contributed to over three dozen special-interest publications focusing on baking and family cooking. Abby is currently a contributing editor at Fine Cooking, where she has been on the masthead since 1994. She founded the magazine’s test kitchen, has written and contributed to over seventy-five articles to date, and serves as the magazine’s guru for all things baking. Abby’s practical advice, recipes, and tips continue to be picked up by myriad consumer magazines, websites and, TV and radio programs.

Author of Seven Cookbooks

  • Desserts 4 Today – Flavorful Desserts with just FOUR INGREDIENTS (September, 2010)
  • Around the World Cookbook, 2008 (Good Morning America Top 10 Cookbooks of 2008; Parents Choice Recommended Award 2008; Cordon d’Or Culinary Academy Award 2008)
  • The Weekend Baker, 2005, reprinted 2008 (Food + Wine Top Ten Cookbooks of 2004; IACP Cookbook Award Finalist)
  • Kids Baking, 2003 (Over 347,000 copies in print, translated into Spanish)
  • Williams-Sonoma Dessert, 2002 (Over 300,000 in print, translated into Spanish)
  • The Kid’s Cookbook, 2000 (Over 347,000 copies in print)
  • Great Fruit Desserts, 1997 (Translated into six languages)

Abby has contributed or co-authored many cookbooks, including:

  • B. Smith’s Southern A to Z (Scribner, 2008)
  • The Joy of Cooking, 75th Anniversary Edition, 2006
  • Savoring America, 2002 (James Beard Award nominee; Ben Franklin Award winner)
  • Cookies for Christmas, 1999
  • The All New Joy of Cooking, 1997

In addition to appearing regularly on TV and radio, Abby teaches at cooking schools around the country, is an active member of International Association of Culinary Professionals and the American Institute of Wine and Food, and serves on the National Cutco Culinary Advisory Board. She lives in the Connecticut town she grew up in with her husband Chris, and their two children, Alex and Tierney. Abby’s seventh cookbook, Desserts 4 Today is an internet favorite and is available now at bookstores nationwide and online.