Pauley Perrette is so identified with her NCIS character of Abby Sciuto that it seems odd to think of her doing anything else. But Pauley Perrette is co-owner in a restaurant that features Souther cooking like her mother used to make.
Donna Bell’s Bake Shop in Manhattan was launched in honor of Pauley Perrette’s mother. And now she is taking that one step further with the release of a new cookbook.
The full title is Donna Bell’s Bake Shop: Recipes and Stories of Family, Friends, and Food. The story of the bake shop and the new cookbook is one of love and family.
“Nestled in the heart of midtown New York is a little shop with a big story. An all-natural bake shop that specializes in Southern baked goods, Donna Bell’s is owned by Pauley Perrette, the actress who plays Abby Sciuto on CBS’s NCIS, and her two best friends, Darren Greenblatt and Matthew Sandusky. It was named in honor of Pauley’s late mother, who is the beloved inspiration for everything they bake.
“It all started in 1993, when Pauley met Darren in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen, just blocks away from where the shop is currently located. The two became inseparable friends and Pauley’s Southern mom would welcome Darren to their home with mouthwatering treats. Darren loved this food and soon left his successful career in fashion to open a food truck that sold Southern desserts at the Jersey Shore. Eventually he wanted to expand and turned to Pauley and their friend Matthew—who worked in the Los Angeles food industry—for help. Soon Matthew was on his way to New York to open Donna Bell’s Bake Shop with Pauley and Darren.
“With recipes for favorites like buttermilk biscuits, chocolate chip-almond scones, and peach streusel muffins; personal photographs from Pauley, Darren, Matthew, and Donna Bell herself; this is the story how one fantastic bake shop brings warmth and happiness—one treat at a time—to the urban jungle that is New York City.”
Pauley Perrette and her partners will be doing book signings and promotions this month and into the summer.
Our @DonnaBells cookbook is also a biography of us and our lives. It's a biography and a cookbook! #bookfest @latimesfob
— Donna Bells Bakeshop (@donnabells) April 13, 2015
Have not forgot our West Coast friends. We're signing the new book at B&N at the Grove in LA on the 16th. pic.twitter.com/QfOYXjtfxs
— Donna Bells Bakeshop (@donnabells) April 11, 2015
