by Kristen Wile

Longtime Unpretentious Palate readers will be familiar with the byline on new cookbook Potluck Desserts. Author Justin Burke was UP’s first contributing writer, penning stories as well as recipes for home cooks during the pandemic lockdown. Before that, he was one of the city’s most well-known pastry chefs, working at Kindred before launching a bakery in Davidson. Now, Burke is celebrating the release of Potluck Desserts, a cookbook that tells the story (and recipes) of queer potlucks and how chosen family can make one feel at home in the midst of personal upheaval. Here, he shares the story of the cookbook and what readers can expect.

Unpretentious Palate: How did you come up with the concept of your cookbook?
Justin Burke: Potluck Desserts celebrates queer potlucks and their role in shaping chosen family. The book begins with my first queer potluck, a moment that opened up an entirely new way of being in community. I wanted the book to tell two parallel stories that naturally intersect—one about becoming queer, and the other about becoming a baker. When we’re 18 or so, stepping away from our families of origin and figuring out who we really are, it’s messy, vulnerable, and exploratory. The same thing happens in the kitchen. We often start with familiar recipes, make a lot of mistakes, and slowly begin to trust ourselves. Potluck Desserts brings together those two moments—often overlooked in queer literature and food media—and lets them live on the same plate.

UP: What style of recipes should people expect?
JB: The recipes are mostly familiar—some classics, some with a twist—but that’s the point. Imagine you’re at a potluck, you try a dessert you love, and you immediately ask, “Who made this? Can I get the recipe?” That’s the feeling I wanted to capture. These desserts are Americana at heart, true to my style, but approached from a fresh and inclusive lens. They’re meant to build confidence. You won’t need expensive equipment or hard-to-find ingredients—just a curiosity to bake and share.

UP: You’ve written recipes for UP in the past—will readers recognize any particular aspects of your cooking style?
JB: Absolutely. I’ve definitely grown, but readers will recognize my love for Americana desserts and my conversational, accessible approach. What’s evolved is how I blend storytelling into my recipes. I’ve found my voice—and I know how to use it in a way that feels both personal and inviting.

UP: What does it mean to you to have this cookbook come out during Pride Month?
JB: It means a lot. Potluck Desserts was originally scheduled for release in 2024, but we pushed it back a year—before we knew what kind of political climate we’d be living in post-election. I didn’t expect this book, a queer, mission-driven cookbook, to be coming out at a time when the queer, trans, and ally communities are under such constant threat. But in many ways, that makes it even more meaningful. I’m proud and grateful it’s coming out now. It’s needed more than ever.

UP: Will you be doing any book tour stops in Charlotte?
JB: As of now, there’s not a stop planned in Charlotte—but that could change. The book tour has three parts. June is more traditional: bookstores, author talks, maybe a few TV demos. July through September, I’m popping up at queer friends’ restaurants, bars, and bakeries to throw potluck-style celebrations. Then in October—around National Coming Out Day—we’ll wrap things up with a mix of pop-ups and bookstore events. Parts two and three are still in the works, so stay tuned.

UP: Is there much inspiration from your time working in Charlotte in the book?
JB: Not really. Potluck Desserts comes from my personal life, not my professional one. I was intentional about not making this book chef-driven or exclusive. I wanted it to feel welcoming for home bakers and cooks—people gathering in kitchens, not in restaurant kitchens.

UP: You’re an experienced writer, but recipes are something else! What did you find to be the hardest thing about writing a cookbook?
JB: I’ve been freelancing as a food writer and recipe developer for almost seven years, but writing a cookbook is a completely different beast. One recipe with a headnote is one thing. But 75+ recipes—plus headnotes, chapter openers, and personal essays—you have to think about structure, flow, and consistency across hundreds of pages. You can’t treat it like a bunch of individual gigs. It has to feel whole. That was the hardest—and most rewarding—part.

UP: What’s next for you?
JB: The next five months are all about getting this book into the hands of the people it was written for—queer, trans, and ally communities. That’s my top priority. It’s tough getting a queer cookbook the attention it deserves, especially right now, but I’m committed to showing up for it. There are other opportunities I’m exploring, and once things are confirmed, I’ll be excited to share more.