Hi, I’m
Justin Burke
I’m an award-winning pastry chef, food writer, recipe developer, author of the debut cookbook Potluck Desserts: Joyful Recipes to Share with Pride (Countryman Press, 2025), and podcast host of That Ate. My writing has appeared in Eater, Food & Wine, Garden & Gun, Simply Recipes, Southern Living, Better Homes & Gardens, and more. I live in Columbia, South Carolina, with my husband and son.
Cookbook Author | Queer Food Writer | Podcast Host | Collaborator | Pastry Chef
Brian Samuels Photography
Potluck Desserts
Joyful recipes to share with pride
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Simple, nostalgic recipes from a trusted guide in the world of queer baking.
Justin Burke credits his first queer potluck with changing his life. Gathering around a table piled high with homemade food evoked a sense of unity that bridged individuals beyond social norms, where chosen families could gather, share recipes, and connect with one another. Two decades later, that magical night continues to inspire Burke in his work merging his passion for food with his journey of self-discovery, whipping up relatable, homemade desserts that defy traditional labels and hold their own next to their avant-garde counterparts.
Now a venerated potluck pro, Burke shares his personal and professional experiences in his debut cookbook, Potluck Desserts, through playful, delicious recipes like Lemon-Thyme Bars, Gooey Butter Corn Cake, Chocolate Cherry Soda Cake, and more. Refined yet approachable, these stylish sweets are organized by baking dish—sheet pans, rectangular pans and foil tins, loaf pans, casserole dishes, and bowls, Bundts, and other round things—and are tagged by time to further simplify the process. Complete with charming personal anecdotes, reflections on potlucks and the queer community, and stunning photography of an abundance of good food, Potluck Desserts gives every home baker the tools, confidence, and pride to serve beloved, nostalgic dishes that everyone will love—colleagues, friends, families, and chosen families included. -
“With warmth and a passionate sense of mission, Justin Burke brings new life to potluck traditions that feed a deep hunger for collective meaning and comfort. He reminds us that baking can be the art of claiming our place in the world, the ongoing work of finding and nurturing our true families.”
- John Birdsall, James Beard Award-winning food and culture writer“Justin Burke’s Potluck Desserts is emblematic of the way I—like so many people—bake, eat and entertain now. Less fuss, more fun. Each delightfully attainable recipe is tailor-made for casual group gatherings, social events, and meaningful connections. And if you want to grow your friend group quickly, might I suggest you turn to Burke’s Banana Fudge Snacking Cake ASAP?”
-Matt Lewis, cofounder of Baked NYC“Right as you open this cookbook you can feel Justin Burke’s heart for his community… Every page is full of warmth. We’re so lucky that Burke had the courage to take a leap of faith 23 years ago—especially lucky because now his heart will be with us in our homes continually (along with that irresistible strawberry pull-apart shortcake!). Bake this book.”
-Paola Velez, James Beard Award-winning author of Bodega Bakes“Potluck Desserts is a ray of sunshine in the cookbook world that teaches you not just how to make sweets for a crowd, but for your chosen family. I admire Justin Burke’s ability to tell endearing, vulnerable, and empowering stories in the LGBTQIA+ community through his recipes. There is a place for the humble yet mighty shareable sweets that you know and love (and many you have yet to discover!) in this book.”
-Abi Balingit, James Beard Award-winning author of Mayumu“'[An] appealing debut, which gathers 75 personally meaningful dessert recipes in celebration of queer potluck culture....These recipes have a charmingly retro vibe. Chapters are organized by baking pan types: rectangular and square, sheet, loaf, casserole, and round. While many recipes rely on convenience foods or come from vintage back-of-the-box and magazine clippings, Burke updates each with new twists..These tried-and-true, crowd-pleasing treats are ideal for any gathering.'“
-Publishers Weekly -
Accolades
The Readable Feast Book Awards: 2025 Socially Conscious Award Winner
American Library Association:The CODES List; Essential Cookbooks 2026
Amazon: Editor’s Pick, Best Cookbooks of June
Epicurious & Bon Appétit: Best Cookbooks of Summer 2025
Real Simple: Best Cookbooks of 2025WBUR’s Here & Now: Our resident chef's favorite cookbooks of 2025
Press
Southern Living: This New Cookbook Offers Sweet Twists On Potluck Desserts But Doesn't Ditch The Cake And Pudding Mixes
Queerty: Serving more than tea: 6 queer culinary reads that don’t play by the recipe rulebook
Martha Stewart: The Best Desserts to Share at a Potluck—and Other Tips From a Pastry Chef
The Local Palate: Cookbook Review: Potluck Desserts
Parade: The Genius Way to Make Strawberry Shortcake 10x Better
Taste: Party in the USA: The Cookbook
Broadcast & Podcast
The Perfect Bite: Defining the Queer Space with Justin Burke
Good Food: A Fabulous Thanksgiving Potluck With Good Food’s Chosen Family
WAMC | The Roundtable: CulinaryArts@SPAC with Justin Burke
Not From Concentrate:Serving Up Queer Joy with Cookbook Author Justin Burke
That Ate
That Ate is a queer food podcast serving up the stories you don’t always hear. Hosted by pastry chef and cookbook author Justin Burke, the show digs into how we cook, eat, and connect. Through honest, story-driven conversations with the people shaping queer food culture, That Ate explores how we reshape, reclaim, and rewrite the traditions that define our lives.
Queer Food Podcast
Work
with Me
I’m a pastry chef, food writer, and recipe developer with over a decade in professional kitchens. I’m award-winning, cookbook-published, and have appeared on national TV, but everything I do is grounded in real kitchens, real recipes, and lived-in experience.
At the heart of my work is queer food storytelling and food culture, alongside approachable baking and savory recipes designed to build confidence; for nervous beginners, curious novices, and comfortable home cooks alike. I’m drawn to food that creates connection, invites people in, and makes the kitchen feel like a place of belonging.
I collaborate on recipe development, menu creation, editorial and cookbook projects, workshops, and community-focused food initiatives. I’m especially excited to work with small businesses, independent brands, and nonprofits doing thoughtful, inclusive work that uplifts communities.
If it’s thoughtful, real, and made to be shared, I’d love to work with you.
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- Recipe development (for brands, publications, and cookbooks)
- Recipe testing (for brands, publications, and cookbooks)
- Food writing (long- and short-form essays, profiles, and reported pieces)
- Queer food storytelling and editorial collaborations
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- Brand partnerships and sponsored recipe/content development
- Product storytelling through food (launches, activations, etc.)
- On-camera or digital content collaborations
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- Cooking and baking workshops
- Writing workshops focused on food and personal narrative
- Talks on queer food and community
- Guest lectures, panels, and moderated conversations
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- Bakery & restaurant menu development (pastry + dessert programs)
- Seasonal menu refreshes and concept development
- Recipe costing, scaling, and production systems
Upcoming Events