Events
I’m taking Great Bakes on the road! Click the + next to each event for more details.
Do you want to book me for an event or host a cookbook event or baking class for Great Bakes? Email me!
Thank you to my tour sponsor, Janie’s Mill.
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Great Bakes Cookbook Release Party
Time: 7:00-900 pm
Location:
The Western Bar & Kitchen
4301 N Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618Details:
Join Martin Sorge, Chicago-based baker, food-writer, and winner of The American Baking Show, to celebrate the release of his first cookbook, Great Bakes! Meet Martin and sample treats from the book while enjoying the company of fellow bakers and cookbook lovers! This 21+ only event is hosted at The Western Bar and Kitchen and will include a cash bar. This event is in partnership with City Lit Books.
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In Conversation with Lisa Ludwinski of Sister Pie.
Time: 7:00-9:00pm
Location:
Vesper Books and Wine
5001 Grand River Avenue
Detroit, MI 48208Details:
Let's celebrate the release of Great Bakes: Modern Classic Recipes from the Midwest with author Martin Sorge and Sister Pie's Lisa Ludwinski Join us at Vesper Books and Wine for a celebration of all things Midwest by way of baking, community, and the stories that connect us through food.
We're thrilled to welcome baker, author, and winner of The Great American Baking Show, Martin Sorge, in celebration of his debut cookbook, Great Bakes: Modern Classic Recipes from the Midwest. Martin will be joined in conversation by Detroit's very own Lisa Ludwinski, founder of Sister Pie, community organizer, winner of the Best Smile This Side of the Mississippi Award, friend of the shop, and author of Sister Pie: The Recipes and Stories of a Big-Hearted Bakery in Detroit, for an evening exploring the traditions, flavors, and creative spirit that defines baking across the span of the Midwest. Together, they'll discuss the inspiration behind the book, the enduring appeal of classic recipes in modern times, and how baking can serve as both a creative practice and a way of building community.
Your ticket includes:
• An author conversation with Martin Sorge and Lisa Ludwinski
• A curated Dessert Box experience, allowing guests to taste or gift tasty treats featuring recipes shared between Martin and Lisa
• A commemorative recipe card featuring a recipe from the book to take home and recreate in your own kitchen
• Audience participation activities centered around baking memories, favorite recipes, and regional traditions
• A book signing and opportunity to meet the authorsWhether you're an avid baker, cookbook collector, proud of their Midwestern roots, a Sister Pie or Great American Baking Show devoted fan, or simply someone who loves dessert and good conversation, this event promises a warm and memorable evening celebrating the best of Midwest. Guests are encouraged to arrive early, grab a glass of wine, and settle in for an evening of sweets, stories, and community.
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Conversation and Signing
Time: 6:00-7:00 pm
Location:
Sunbound Books
3215 N Anthony Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805Details:
Martin Sorge, a Fort Wayne native and the winner of the Great American Baking Show in 2023 will be joining us at Sunbound Books to share his new cookbook: "Great Bakes: Modern Classic Recipes from the Midwest." He'll be sharing from his new book and signing copies on Saturday August 8th at 6pm!
No RSVP or ticket necessary.
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Book Signing
Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location:
Tomorrow Bookstore
882 Massachusetts Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46204 -
Book Talk & Signing
Time: 7:00pm
Location:
Carmichael's Frankfort Ave.
2720 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206 -
Conversation and Book Signing
Time: 6:00-7:00 pm
Location:
Morgenstern Books
849 S. Auto Mall Road
Bloomington, IN 47401Details:
Join us for an evening with author, home baker, recipe developer, and Hoosier, Martin Sorge, who will be celebrating the release of his debut cookbook, Great Bakes: Modern Classic Recipes from the Midwest.
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Book Signing
Time: 12:00-2:00pm
Location:
The Find North
102 N Main St
Leland, MI 49654Stop by to say hi, grab a book, get it signed, and explore lovely Leland!
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In-Store Meet & Greet
Time: 1:00-3:00pm
Location:
McLean & Eakin Booksellers
307 E Lake St.
Petoskey, MI 49770Details:
In-store meet and greet with author Martin Sorge celebrating his book Great Bakes: Modern Classic Recipes from the Midwest.
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From Mill to Table: Baking with Whole & Stone-Ground Grains
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location:
Traverse City Food & Wine at the Open Space
208 W Grandview Pkwy
Traverse City, MI 49684Details:
Discover the rich depth that whole, stone-ground grains bring to your baking. Hosted by home baker and author Martin Sorge, with highlights from his new cookbook Great Bakes: Modern Classic Recipes from the Midwest. Martin will explain how to use these flavor-forward flours in recipes. This demonstration will feature Michigan-grown grains milled at Traverse City's Farm Club. Nic Theisen of Farm Club will join to discuss their grains, milling, and offer more baking tips. We'll craft three easy recipes: a hearty loaf, tender muffins, and an irresistible sweet treat — proof that whole grains are the future of baking. Ample tastes, coffee and tea included!
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National Writers Series: A Conversation with Martin Sorge
Time: 4:00 pm
Location:
Traverse City Food and Wine at the Open Space
208 W Grandview Pkwy
Traverse City, MI 49684Details:
Martin will be joined in conversation by the founding editor of Taste, Matthew Rodbard. Matt is a writer, editor, and author of food and culture books with more than two decades of experience working in television, magazines, book publishing, and online media. He’s the author of several cookbooks and the Founding Editor of online food and culture magazine Taste.
Seating begins at 3:00 p.m. with programming starting at 4:00 p.m. at Traverse City Food & Wine’s tent at the Open Space. Seating is general admission. At the end of the conversation, we’ll invite guests to participate in a Q&A with Sorge & Rodbard.
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The Grand Tasting
VIP & Early Entry: 12:00 – 4:00 pm
General Admission: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Location:
Traverse City Food and Wine at the Open Space
208 W Grandview Pkwy
Traverse City, MI 49684Details:
The main event! Taste the flavors of Traverse City and enjoy perfect bites and sips that epitomize the region. The Grand Tasting brings together dozens of tastemakers to enjoy a collective celebration designed to delight your senses.
Indulge in artful bites and inspired dishes made from the bounty of northern Michigan's fields, orchards, and waters. Sip on local wines and craft beverages, learn from renowned chefs, and enjoy iconic views of West Grand Traverse Bay.
The Main Stage at the Grand Tasting will be hosted by Amy Smart and Carter Oosterhouse, featuring cooking demonstrations (including one by me!), culinary conversations, and tips from sommeliers.
This event will sell out, so get your tickets soon!
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Conversation, Book Signing, and Tasty Treats
Time: 5:00-6:00 pm
Location:
Friends & Family Bakery
5150 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90027Details:
Martin Sorge in conversation for Great Bakes: Modern Classic Recipes from the Midwest. Book signing to follow.
Join us at Friends & Family on August 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM for a fun and cozy in-person event with Martin Sorge, winner of The Great American Baking Show for his new book Great Bakes: Modern Classic Recipes from the Midwest.
Ticket price includes light refreshments and a pastry box from Friends & Family with treats inspired by Great Bakes.
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Author Talk at Omnivore Books
Time: 6:30 pm
Location:
Omnivore Books
3885 Cesar Chavez St.
San Francisco, CA 94131A note about Ominvore’s in-store events:
We offer first come, first served seating in our shop. There will be overflow room outside if needed and the author will be mic'd. Everyone is welcome to attend.
You can pre-order a copy on Omnivore’s website for pick-up at the event or purchase copies on-site. -
In conversation with Camilla Wynne, author of Nature’s Candy, Jam Bake, and All That Crumbs Allow.
Time: 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Location:
Good Egg
156 Augusta Ave.
Toronto, ON M5T 2L5
CanadaDetails:
Midwest America comes to its spiritual cousin Toronto! Join first-time author and Great American Baking Show winner (plus all-around sweetie-pie) Martin Sorge in conversation with the ever-delightful Camilla Wynne (author of Jam Bake and Nature’s Candy).
They’ll be chatting about Martin’s gorgeous and thoughtful book, Great Bakes, and perhaps discussing baking for pleasure vs. under the pressure of a televised contest? Your questions will be fielded as well :)Martin will be signing books right after the conversation, and refreshments will be served.
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In Conversation with Abra Berens
More details coming soon.
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Details coming soon.
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Baking Demonstration
Time: 6:00 – 8:30 pm
Location
Bake! Zingerman’s Bakehouse
3723 Plaza Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108Details:
Join us for a demonstration with Martin Sorge, author of Great Bakes: Modern Classic Recipes from the Midwest.
A copy of the cookbook is included in the price of the class.
This class is demonstration only.
There will be a tasting of Martin's bakes throughout the evening.
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Details coming soon!
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In conversation with photographer Kevin Miyazaki.
Time: 6:30 pm
Location:
Boswell Book Co.
2559 N Downer Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53211Great American Baking Show winner and Midwest native Martin Sorge appears at Boswell for a conversation about his delicious new cookbook, Great Bakes: Modern Classic Recipes from the Midwest. From Midwestern flavors of his Chicago Dog Focaccia and Michigan Forest Cake to the traditional Christmas Stollen and Swabian Soft Pretzels rooted in Sorge's German heritage, Great Bakes welcomes bakers of every level with recipes they'll reach for again and again. For this event, Sorge will be in conversation with Kevin Miyazaki, who did the photography that appears in the book.
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Baking Class
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00pm
Location: Cooks of Crocus Hill
Details:
Watch Great Bakes author Martin Sorge in this exclusive demonstration class as he shares tips and tricks for scrumptious baking. Praised by Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, Martin will share innovative twists on classic Midwestern recipes using simple, local ingredients, packed with sweet and savory secrets we love. Perfect for all skill levels — this class includes his new cookbook Great Bakes: Modern Classic Recipes from the Midwest (retail value of $35). What treat!
Menu: No-Knead Bread; Giant Cherry "Pop Tart"; Coconut Caramel Brownies. Classes are designed for participants 18 years and older. Teens ages 14 to 17 can take part in a class if accompanied by an adult (18 years or older), but a ticket is required for each person in attendance. Please see our FAQs for more info.
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Details coming soon!
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Details coming soon.
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Details coming soon!
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More details coming soon!
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Conversation and Book Signing
Time: 5:00 pm
Location:
Bay Books
220 N St Joseph St.
Suttons Bay, MI 49682Details:
Join us for a special evening with local author and The Great American Baking Show winner, Martin Sorge, as he celebrates the release of his new cookbook, Great Bakes: Modern Classic Recipes from the Midwest.
Your $10 ticket includes: Admission to the event
A live interview with Martin Audience Q&A
Book signing
Delicious treatsSeating is limited, and advance ticket purchase is required. Tickets are sold per person. Want to have your cookbook ready for signing? Be sure to pre-order your copy of Great Bakes separately. We look forward to welcoming you for an evening of great conversation, baking inspiration, and community at Bay Books.
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More details coming soon!
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Details coming soon!
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Watch this space!