Hungry Monkey Baking Company

06/04/2026

This week has been an emotional roller coaster…For those of you have known us since our farmers market days, we started 16 years ago, on May 29, on ‘s 2nd birthday. It was a beautiful sunny day, and Lily (and my husband, Tom), helped me pass out samples to the growing line of people and I thought “wow, maybe we have something here.” Fast forward, last Friday, Lily turned 18, the same day she received five awards from her high school. To say I am proud doesn’t begin to convey everything I am feeling.

Lily received a scholarship from , the booster organization for the Lake Forest high school Theatre Dept. She also received an Oscar for her performance in “Trap.” In addition, she was inducted into the Theatre Wall of Fame, the only actor in 2026. And, if that wasn’t a big enough honor, she was voted by her peers and the director of the music department, and received the Arion award for academic standing, leadership, and musical talent. Oh, and last, but certainly not least, she was also inducted into the Music Wall of Fame!🎶🎼🎵🎤

I hope you don’t mind indulging my pride for my girl, our beloved “hungry monkey.” Lily has worked so incredibly hard, not only to strive for excellence in her academics, but also to pursue her acting and singing. I so admire her fearlessness— from her brilliant portrayal as a ditsy matron in “the drowsy chaperone,” to singing habanero in Seville, Spain… she never says no, and she never gives up. She’s the most determined human I’ve ever met.

Lily is going on to in the fall, double majoring in entertainment engineering and mechanical engineering, with a minor in musical theater. I can’t imagine my world without seeing her every day, but I know I have to be happier for her than I am sad for myself.

As for hungry monkey — well, it’s been a but of a rough ride these past few years, but that’s another post for another day. Today is 100% about Lily, our hungry monkey.

We have immense gratitude for everyone’s support and interest in Lily; I know you share in our joy.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

04/29/2026

Hungry?

Monkey Baking

04/21/2026

Now that’s a wrap! Words can’t begin to convey how incredibly proud we are of , the hungry monkey, for her portrayal of “Mrs. Tottendale”/“Ukulele Lil” in “The Drowsy Chaperone”! Lily owned her character, a ditsy, but kind, matron. The entire cast was beyond!! This musical within a play kept us laughing all night!!

This is bittersweet as this is Lily’s final role at high school. But it is just the beginning as she will be attending in the fall, studying Entertainment Engineering and Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Musical Theater.

Much gratitude to everyone who made this amazing production possible, including the Directors, & , the student directors, Egan & Julia, the tech crew, the Costume Designer, Mrs. Neal, Choreographer, Miss Val, Vocal Director, Mrs Taylor, Orchestra Director, , Tech Director Mr. Aidan, Mr. Holmer (tech guru) and the entire staff, including Sarah Dreiling, ITS Theater Advisor, and also to Ashleigh Malec, Activities Director, and the security staff who kept us safe during the tornado! And a special shout-out to for taking care of meals, treats, and many logistics!

This role earned Lily the abilty to apply for an theater award, sponsored by and , along with many other talented actors! Congrats to all and good luck!

Lastly, a shout-out to her on-stage husband-to-be, , who did a phenomenal job as “Underling,” and was the perfect serious foil to her eccentricity!

04/08/2026

This was no joke… on April 1, 2020, promoted on an online shopping platform, . It was the beginning of Covid when we were all so scared. Howie saw and me doing a live baking show and he selected us for “Save Small Business America,” a new online show he created. He did an hour-long show/promo on us and the orders rolled in! It was all hands on deck! And we received incredible media attention from magazine to to — and more!

Fast-forward six years to last Saturday, almost to the day, and we had the opportunity to see Howie live at the , just 20 minutes from our hometown ( )! It gave us an opportunity to say “thank you” in person for lifting us up during Covid!

Howie’s stand-up show was hysterical 😭….and we also got to meet & see , his opening act!!! You may remember him from (he starts out his act making fun of himself that he lost to a 12-year-old girl with a dummy )! He is such a fresh, clever comedian. Howie + Preacher are the dynamic duo of comedy.

When we received a text from Howie’s Manager, Rich, we jumped from our seats and ran backstage! Truly, the thrill of a lifetime! And meeting Preacher and Rich was such a big bonus!

03/12/2026

I guess I should give you all a little warning. I’m going to be bragging here… Unapologetically bragging …As the winner of her school’s recent music competition (voice division), the hungry monkey, , was one of two featured soloists tonight in her final formal choir concert at . We could not be more proud.

If you can, wait to the end…

Many thanks to her incredible voice coach, Kathy Ferrin, her lovely & talented Accompianist and Teacher, Natasha Mah, and the amazing , Choir Director. And also a special thank you to , the school’s music patron booster organization. I’ve been a part of their board for the past three years and it has been my privilege to help support a program that fosters and encourages music development, education for any student who is interested in band Orchestra or choir.

And really a shout out to everyone who has supported Lily along the way…. You know who you are. So many of you met Lily when she was two years old, “working” at the Northfield farmers market (okay, she was really running around eating samples at every everyone else’s tables :-). She often helped me give out samples, package shipments, and through the years, she’s helped sample at stores. And threw it all, you have watched her grow and cheered her along. And we have appreciated it so much. 🥰💕

Her story isn’t over. It’s just beginning… And though this was her final concert at her high school, she will be continuing her music as she will be minoring in musical theater at this Fall. She’s double majoring in Entertainment Engineering & Mechanical Engineering… she will be combining all of her interests and skills in this unique & wildly popular field. Next summer, she will intern at Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas!

We are beyond proud of Lily, and since so many of you have watched her grow up, we wanted to share this special performance and news.

Thank you for indulging this proud mama!!

02/12/2026

Many thanks to Team Hungry Monkey — who show up early, stay late and help load deliveries to , & stores! We could not do this without the best bakers on earth!

02/08/2026

Super Bowl? What Super Bowl? Today we went to the Superbowl of musical arts — the Honors Competition. Bravo/brava to all the amazing competitors — such talent. Truly a magical afternoon.

We are incredibly proud of , our co-founder and our hungry monkey. Lily sang “L’armour est un oiseau rebelle” from Carmen by George Bizet. Written in French, but it actually was originally performed in Seville, Spain. Lily took home 1st Place 🏆 in the Vocal Division. And, because of this, she learned today that she will be singing Carmen as a solo in Seville, Spain, this March, the birthplace of Carmen!!

We would like to thank the entire Music Department, for sponsoring the competition, and especially the Directors, , Janene Kessler ( ) and Robert Bassill ( ) & Judges — and to the amazing collaborative pianist, Natasha Mah (a.k.a. Mama Mah). We would like to give a special shout out to Lily’s phenomenal voice coach, Kathleen Ferrin. Without all of their support, this wonderful music department and competition would not be possible.

Many thanks to so many of you who have been cheering at the sidelines for Lily; it has meant so much to her, and to us. From having a speech delay, to winning today’s competition — in French….proud does not even begin to express our joy and admiration for her, and all of her hard work.

And now, onto the other Super Bowl! Fun fact: Lake Forest High School alum, , will be playing for the in tonight’s game! He’s from our neighboring town Lake Bluff, Illinois!! GO Rylie!!!

12/25/2025

09/08/2025

These are the good days….we
had a blast Friday night at Festival’s FARM + COUNTRY! We ( & ) LOVED serving up our signature chocolate chip banana bread hot fudge sundaes in glassware to guests, and local & national celebrity Chefs, like Co-Host (Food Network & ), .stegner ( ), (Cookbook Author + Owner of Adorn
& Kindling Restaurants) — and so many other INCREDIBLE Chefs, including , , , Chef Lee( ! And let’s not forget our fav Mixologists, & .elizabitch . A huge shout out to the people who brought festive light to the festival, — and, of course to our hometown Eileen for the incredible flowers and … for always capturing our special Lake Forest memories! And thank you to Laura, co-owner of one of my favorite places to shop ( ), (one of our biggest cheerleaders), and my Chesterfield homie (best personal Chef and Burger Battle contestant) for stopping by to support us!

We just loved being a part of this community, in our hometown, at our beloved Elawa Farm. We are grateful Curator (and SUPERWOMAN) & Co-Host & Chef (Co-owner, Cotton Duck Hospitality) included us again this year!!
And, the cherry 🍒 on top — 💯 of proceeds
go to the !

😘😘😘 to my partners-in-crime for the night — my dear friend Rhyan & the hungry monkey, !Thanks for ALL your help!!!!

08/28/2025

We hope to see our friends at this awesome event. All proceeds go to the Northern Illinois Food Bank!