Brian Hart Hoffman chatted about his latest endeavors, cookbooks, and being a baker in the digital age.
Background on Brian Hart Hoffman
He is a former flight attendant and self-taught baker. He spent his early life traveling and exploring bakeries all around the globe determined to recreate the recipes, and make it easy for the at-home cook to learn how to bake.
He launched an award-winning brand dedicated to the global baking community “Bake from Scratch,” which has become one of the world’s largest baking platforms, which include a bi-monthly magazine, bestselling cookbooks, a podcast (“The Crumb”), an Instagram baking page, and a new YouTube channel offering free, weekly baking demonstrations.
He also serves as editor of Bake from Scratch magazine, and Hoffman Media president and Chief Creative Officer (CCO).
Daily motivations
Each day, he is motivated by his desire to learn something new. “I get questions asked all the time about what my favorite thing to bake is, and my answer is ‘the thing that I haven’t made before.’ It’s always the next thing. I want to learn and push myself.”
“The best part of discovery is eating something new or from somewhere you’ve never been to before. You are opening up your mind, and you are breaking down barriers. The food power is big,” he added.
‘Fast Fix Baking’ cookbook
His “Fast Fix Baking” cookbook is a collection of recipes the home cook can prep, mix and bake in two hours or less. While the recipes are simple, they are designed to make baking more enjoyable.
He has baked on national talk shows with Kelly Clarkson, Sherri Shepherd and Kit Hoover from Access Hollywood.
Future plans
The celebrity baker also travels the world every year teaching baking at retreats in Mexico, Spain, France, Switzerland and at his home in Birmingham, Alabama.
On his future plans, he remarked, “I am going to kick out the walls. I just have to find the next wall to kick out. Also, I want to expand my tour and travel business. I take people on culinary trips to Europe and Mexico.”
“Next year, we are going to be in Greece. I also want to continue to spread my love for food, baking, people, and culture. It’s bigger than food,” he acknowledged.
“I want to be a message of love, connectivity and an inspiration to people. I think the world needs more happiness,” he added.
Pastries cookbook
His latest cookbook is “It’s Time to Bake Pastries: An introduction to patisserie,” which came out in October of 2024.
On his pastries cookbook, he said, “French baking is probably my favorite. I love that repertoire and pastries take center stage.”
The digital age
On being a part of the digital age, he said, “It has been such a journey to watch my mom start our company 43 years ago, and you are the traditional media company where you get put in the category of books, magazines, and everything that is print-based.”
“Our print business is still strong,” he noted. “It is stronger now than it was a few years ago but the digital strength is also there. We are leaning in. We are in digital transformation.”
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, he said with a sweet laugh, “Busy with a dream of a nap.”
“I need a little break,” he admitted. “My ‘yeses’ are outweighing my ability to do it all. These days, I am self-aware of my own creative power, where I am working for my own vision.”
Gregory Zarian and Lawrence Zarian
He had great words about the Zarian twins (Gregory Zarian and Lawrence Zarian). “I love Gregory and Lawrence so much,” he exclaimed. “I always have a great time with them.”
Success
Regarding his definition of the word success, he said, “Success means doing the best that I can do each and every single day and being impactful to the work with me (my colleagues). I was their success as well. I want people to feel valued and successful.”
“Success is other people having happiness too,” he added.
Message for his fans and supporters
For his fans and supporters, he expressed, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. We are one global baking community, and I can’t be in it alone.”
To learn more about Brian Hart Hoffman, check out his official homepage and follow him on Instagram.
