Memories of Cherry Grove Through Film, Photos, and Firsthand Stories

Summary

All Of It – Episode Summary: "Memories of Cherry Grove Through Film, Photos, and Firsthand Stories"

Release Date: June 27, 2025 | Host: David Furse (in place of Alison Stewart)

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Introduction

In this episode of All Of It, host David Furse engages with Justin Burke, a pastry chef and baker, to discuss his newly released cookbook, Potluck Desserts: Joyful Recipes to Share with Pride. The conversation delves into the profound role potlucks play within the LGBTQ community, the journey of creating a cookbook that celebrates queer culture, and the personal stories that inspire Justin's culinary creations.

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The Significance of Potlucks in the LGBTQ Community

Justin Burke emphasizes that potlucks transcend mere food sharing; they are pivotal in fostering community, creating safe spaces, and ensuring unconditional acceptance among LGBTQ individuals.

“No matter where you're from and who you are in these settings, you're in the queer potluck. Everything is just stripped down and you are coming authentically who you are.”
[04:46]

He explains that potlucks serve as a common language, allowing participants to express their identities and build connections through the universal act of sharing food.

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Justin Burke's Personal Journey

Justin recounts his first experience at an LGBTQ potluck, which was instrumental in his personal and professional growth. Meeting Javier, a coworker who invited him to his first potluck, provided Justin with a sense of belonging and a chosen family.

“Javier took me under his wing. He never pressured me. He never just blatantly said, you're gay. He just helped me have a soft landing...”
[05:05]

This pivotal moment not only helped Justin understand his own identity but also inspired him to honor Javier by creating a cookbook that celebrates queer culture through desserts.

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The Cookbook: Potluck Desserts: Joyful Recipes to Share with Pride

Justin's cookbook is a collection of diverse and inclusive dessert recipes designed for potlucks. Each recipe is infused with elements of pride, celebrating authenticity and joy within the LGBTQ community.

“These recipes are very homey and they're novice, and food media traditionally doesn't show or celebrate these recipes.”
[02:58]

The book features a range of desserts, from broiled banana pudding to chocolate cherry soda cake and iced lemon sheet cake, all crafted to bring joy and foster community.

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Challenges in the Culinary Industry

Despite his passion and success with pop-up bakeries, Justin faced significant challenges in the traditionally avant-garde Boston food scene. His non-traditional approach to baking was met with skepticism and harassment.

“I was not treated fairly. There was a lot of harassment. But, you know, we move on and we prevail...”
[08:12]

Justin discusses how his lack of classical training and unconventional recipes initially led to his being perceived as a fraud, highlighting the industry's resistance to diverse culinary expressions.

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History of Queer Potlucks

Justin provides an insightful overview of the historical importance of potlucks within the LGBTQ community. Originating in the 1960s and 1970s in places like San Francisco, these gatherings provided essential safe spaces for lesbians and gay men alike, fostering community and advocacy.

“They started these potlucks and they inspired formal organizations of a group of queers for advocacy and, you know, bringing in these lost young queer adults...”
[12:29]

These events were crucial in building support networks, offering safety, housing, and a sense of belonging to those who were often marginalized.

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Listener Interactions and Favorite Recipes

Throughout the episode, listeners call in to share their favorite potluck desserts and memories. One caller from Long Branch, New Jersey, praises the versatility of boozy rum cake.

“Boxed yellow cake and some booze and glaze, and you cannot beat it.”
[11:06]

Justin enthusiastically agrees, highlighting the adaptability and crowd-pleasing nature of such desserts.

“I'm 100%. Bring it to a potluck all the time. Any booze, any flavor.”
[11:35]

Another caller from Rutherford shares creative, non-chocolate dessert ideas inspired by diverse flavors like matcha and ube, emphasizing inclusivity for all dietary preferences.

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Notable Recipes Highlighted

Chocolate Cherry Soda Cake emerges as a standout favorite.

“It's proud to say it's a fan favorite and it's with maraschino cherries. It has this vibrant maraschino pink frosting...”
[16:21]

Despite Justin's own ambivalence towards chocolate, this recipe remains a beloved choice for its decadence and visual appeal.

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Conclusion and Pride Plans

As the episode wraps up, Justin shares his exciting plans for Pride weekend, including potluck-style events in Los Angeles and San Francisco as part of his book tour.

“Both events are potluck style, so I'm really excited about those.”
[17:15]

David Furse closes by encouraging listeners to explore Justin's cookbook, applauding the beautiful and diverse recipes that celebrate pride and community.

“I really recommend taking a look at the book because the recipe, it just looks so beautiful.”
[17:40]

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Closing Remarks

Justin Burke's Potluck Desserts: Joyful Recipes to Share with Pride serves not only as a cookbook but as a testament to the enduring power of community and authenticity within the LGBTQ culture. Through his stories and recipes, Justin invites listeners to celebrate their identities and build meaningful connections through the shared joy of food.

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Notable Quotes:

• Justin Burke on Authenticity: “You're in the queer potluck. Everything is just stripped down and you are coming authentically who you are.” [04:46]
• Justin on Javier's Impact: “He just helped me have a soft landing and a space that I could begin to understand the complexities of who I am in my community.” [05:05]
• On Being Treated as a Fraud: “I was not treated fairly. There was a lot of harassment. But, you know, we move on and we prevail...” [08:12]
• Historical Importance: “They started these potlucks and they inspired formal organizations of a group of queers for advocacy...” [12:29]
• Favorite Recipe Recommendation: “I'm 100%. Bring it to a potluck all the time. Any booze, any flavor.” [11:35]

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For more insights and to join the conversation, listeners are encouraged to call 212-433-9692.

Transcript

[Progressive Insurance]

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[David Furse]

David. It's all of it on wnyc. I'm David Furse in for Alison Stewart. In a new cookbook, pastry chef and baker Justin Burke shows how potlucks can, yes, be delicious and fun, but also can play an important role as gatherings where LGBTQ people can be their authentic selves. Modern potlucks have been around for about 90 years. These social gatherings have always brought people together and allowed them to express themselves through the food that they bring. They helped Justin discover his love for baking, so he decided to publish Potluck Desserts Joyful Recipes to Share with Pride. The book is out now, and Justin Burke joins us today. Welcome to all of it. And Justin, can you hear us? Yep. Oh, great. Justin, I apologize. I feel like I should have brought a dish to this conversation. The recipes in this book are incredible. They're for all types of different desserts to bring to potlucks, from broiled banana pudding to chocolate cherry soda cake, iced lemon sheet cake. And mixed in with all of that, there's this touch of pride as well. How does pride factor into these dishes? Why are these joyful recipes quote to share with Pride?

[Justin Burke]

Yeah, I mean, that's a great question. I think we have to kind of go backwards and look at cookbooks traditionally. I mean, there are recipes to teach you how to cook and bake. And. And in the past, I would say, 10, maybe five years, we've seen cookbooks become more narrative. We're learning more of the context behind these recipes, whether culture, religion, tradition. And for me, for potluck desserts, it was very important that this book demonstrates the queer life of living authentically, being happy with who you are. So these recipes are very. They're homey and they're novice, and food media traditionally doesn't show or celebrate these recipes. And so there's this parallel story within the cookbook, the Intersect, where you. You see being joyful for who you are, but also joyful for the things that you're making and baking to serve to other people for joy. So it's this.

[David Furse]

This fluid, double meaning, some pride in these. In these recipes?

[Justin Burke]

Yeah, absolutely.

[David Furse]

In the book, you say that an LGBTQ potluck is not just about sharing food. It's about building community, sharing safe spaces, and unconditional acceptance. First of all, where does that word potluck come from and why are you using it?

[Justin Burke]

I mean, potluck has been around for many, many, many, many years, decades. And it really comes from the luck of what's in the pot. So you come to this, this gathering of food, you don't know what's going to be served and you're just kind of in it and you're going to enjoy it no matter what it is. So, you know, you go in blind and you leave fulfilled, essentially.

[David Furse]

And it is more about just the sharing of food. Right.

[Justin Burke]

It's, there's such a, a humanistic aspect of this. I mean, we all know how important food is and it is a very common language. No matter where you're from and who you are in these settings, it's. You're in the queer potluck. It, everything is just stripped down and you are coming authentically who you are. I mean, for queer potlucks, often your first one. And that was my experience. I was 18, I was not out. I didn't really understand my identity. But I met a group of people who became my chosen family. And they allowed me to foster this environment of exploration, to make mistakes and that be okay for them to be there for me when I landed. And at the same time I was learning about them, I was learning about my queer history and I was contributing to that queer history.

[David Furse]

In your introduction of the book, you talk about someone named Javier. You met him when you moved to Orange County, California, right after graduating high school, and he invited you to your first LGBTQ potluck. Why did you choose to open the book introducing us to Javier?

[Justin Burke]

That's a great question. I did not know at the time the significance of that relationship with Javier was going to play in my life. Javier was a co worker, I worked at Disneyland and he was out and he, I think he just knew that I needed someone. I was coming from a very conservative hometown with very rigid expectations of what, quote, unquote, being a man should be. And I was a shell of a person. And Javier took me under his wing. He never pressured me. He never just blatantly said, you're gay. He, he just helped me have a soft landing and a space that I could begin to understand the complexities of who I am in my community. When he invited me to that potluck, you know, it was his way of introducing me to other like minded individuals and individuals that I had no similarities to. But we were all part of the same community. And it was just so significant. And even though I stayed there for four months before I moved to Boston, I always came back to that time of my life. Whatever, whatever. I was doing college, grad school, traveling, different careers. And I always think about Javier. I haven't kept in touch with Javier. I mean, this was way before social media. I don't know where Javier is. I hope that Javier sees this book and maybe remembers me. But I think for someone reading this book to understand the importance of it could just take one person to drastically change your life and make it better. And, and Javier did that for me. And so this was my way of honoring him and thanking him for taking that chance with me.

[David Furse]

As you can tell right away, this is so much more, this is about so much more than food. As amazing as the food is in this book, and it's a beautiful book, the food looks incredible. Thank you. And before we get too far ahead here listeners, if you'd like to join this conversation, by all means, 212-433-9692. That's 212-433-WNYC. What is your favorite desse to bring to a potluck? Do you have a favorite potluck memory that you want to share or even just some advice you want to share on maybe hosting a potluck? Again, the number 212-433-9692. That's 212-433-WNYC. And on page 10 of this book you say as a self taught baker fond of nostalgia home baking, I was determined to bring back comfort and familiarity to dessert menus. However, I was often treated as a fraud within the industry. What do you mean by that and why do you think you were treated this way?

[Justin Burke]

Yeah, so my trajectory into the restaurant and hospitality industry was not traditional. I, my ex husband, who's now my co parent, we were planning for surrogacy for our child. This is when we were living in Boston and it's very expensive. And so he had the idea of starting an online bakery because I loved baking. It was a hobby. At this point I was working in non profit and peace building. So it was a side, a side hustle. Essentially what people would call now. This is way, way before online baking or any of that kind of stuff was happening and so I just started doing it and my friend was doing pop ups of donut pop ups in Boston and she wanted to support us having a child so she invited me to join one of her pop ups and so I made, I was Making gourmet pop tarts at the time. And between her and I, we had over 300, 400 items, and we sold out within 31 minutes. And in that experience, Boston was like, this is great. We want more. When's the next pop up? And her and I, we. We did those pop ups every weekend for an entire year and went on a national tour. I became a pastry chef and a baker overnight. And I think in the community in Boston, in the food community, I had not paid my dues. In their eyes, I was not classically trained. This is the time where we were deconstructing desserts and putting foams on everything, and it was very elaborate and avant garde. And I'm over here trying to make poke cakes and, you know, pop tarts. And so they did not respect, and rightfully so. I mean, I just kind of infiltrated and. But I was very aware that I was given this opportunity because of my friend and her success. So I was. I was not treated fairly. There was a lot of harassment. But, you know, we move on and we prevail, and we. We learn from these experiences.

[David Furse]

And then we put out a cookbook.

[Justin Burke]

And then we put out a cookbook.

[David Furse]

I mean, there we go. We're speaking with cookbook author Just Burke talking about his new book, Potluck Desserts. Joyful recipes to share with Pride. If you'd like to join the conversation, the number is 212-433-9692. And let's hear from Rhea in Long Branch, New Jersey. Welcome to all of it. Do you have an idea for something to bring to a potluck?

[Caller]

Oh, I sure do. I will tell you, I have never failed with a good, boozy rum cake. Yes, every time. I'll tell you what, and you can dress it up however you want. You can use whatever booze you want. It is per the occasion. Change it up easily. Boxed yellow cake and some booze and glaze, and you cannot beat it.

[David Furse]

Justin, what about that? And do you have a favorite?

[Justin Burke]

I completely agree. I agree so much that I also have a boozy rum cake in this cookbook. They're. They're fantastic, I think. I mean, the story of this recipe in the book is kind of funny because my friend tried making one and he used too much alcohol, and so we were definitely feeling it after we consumed it. But no, I mean, I love. I love this cake. I'm 100%. Bring it to a potluck all the time. Any. Any booze, any flavor.

[David Furse]

Again, the book is called Potluck Desserts. Joyful recipes to share with pride. Can you talk a little bit more about the special history of queer potlucks? How did these events become important as a way to build community and create safe spaces for people to be themselves?

[Justin Burke]

Yeah, I mean, I think we have to be aware of the circumstances where queer history has not been formally documented or documented well. So a lot of what we know is oral history. So we can look back to the 60s, the 70s in San Francisco, where a group of lesbians started these gatherings, these potlucks, because at the time, there weren't very many spaces, safe spaces for lesbians to gather. There were more than enough spaces for gay men, but not for lesbians. At the same time, it was very unsafe for females to be outside. It was just a very unsafe environment. So they started these potlucks and they inspired formal organizations of a group of queers for advocacy and, you know, bringing in these lost young queer adults who had no family because they were disowned and kicked out, brought them in and helped establish safety, housing, food that connect that connectiveness and chosen family environment. So we can see that this type of gathering then rippled out throughout the country where we were seeing in the Midwest and then, like, very rural areas that were not near coastal cities. Even gay men doing the same thing, organizing these potlucks, these gatherings, to create a safe space within their homes because they didn't have access to these third spaces.

[David Furse]

It's a really fascinating history. We're speaking with cookbook author Justin Burke, and we'd like to take another call. Let's hear from Kathy in Rutherford. Welcome to all of it.

[Caller]

Hi, thanks for taking my call.

[David Furse]

Do you have a potluck idea?

[Caller]

Oh, my gosh, I do. I have so many. And I'm just sorry it's limited to desserts, but I have a really good one because my son, one of my sons, did not like chocolate. No one can force him to eat chocolate. So, you know, desserts, usually people bring chocolate things to potluck. So I got really good at being diverse and using the Asian side of me as well and doing matcha cupcakes with maybe a little vanilla and lemon or ube, which is nice and purple. So doing like, some really colorful but different flavor desserts, even taro cake, and just. Just really trying to be colorful but not use chocolate and not just be vanilla.

[David Furse]

Hmm. How about that, Justin? Do a lot of people bring chocolate?

[Justin Burke]

I'm. Yes, they do. And I'm also team don't like chocolate.

[David Furse]

Oh.

[Justin Burke]

Even as a pastry chef, just Now I've just, I don't crave it. But what I love about this, bringing in UBE and you know, Matcha, that's the beauty of potlucks, is that you are introducing people to new cuisine, new ingredients, and that's what we do at potlucks. When we love something or something intrigues us, we immediately say, oh my gosh, this is amazing. Who made it? Can I have the recipe? Tell me more. And you're learning their story and their legacy, and that's what queer potlucks are all about, is we're contributing to the ongoing oral history of our community.

[David Furse]

Okay, Justin, in like literally the moment we have left, give us one recipe that's been a real fan favorite. Something that you've take it to a potluck.

[Justin Burke]

Oh, so it's the chocolate cherry soda cake.

[David Furse]

Oh, there's the chocolate.

[Justin Burke]

It's. I know, I know. I say I don't like Pocket, but then there's this. But no, it's a fan favorite and it's with maraschino cherries. It has this vibrant maraschino pink frosting. It's studded with maraschinos and it's very moist and it's very decadent. I even like it even though I'm not chocolate fan. And it's. It's great.

[David Furse]

That sounds great. What's the name of that dessert? One more time?

[Justin Burke]

Chocolate cherry soda cake.

[David Furse]

You can find all of these recipes in the book. And also, Justin, do you have any Pride plans this weekend? Maybe something with the family?

[Justin Burke]

So I'm actually home right now. I'm home for 24 hours. I've been on my book tour since June 3rd, so I'm actually headed out to LA this weekend to do a book event and then headed up to San Francisco.

[David Furse]

Will you be doing any potlucks for Pride?

[Justin Burke]

So both events are potluck style, so I'm really excited about those.

[David Furse]

Fantastic. Well, happy Pride weekend to you. Justin Burke's new book is Potluck Joyful Recipes to Share with Pride. Thank you so much for joining us on all of it. And I really recommend taking a look at the book because the recipe, it just looks so beautiful.

[Justin Burke]

Thank you.

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