What do you get when you combine stories and recipes from the best pastry chefs in the US? You get Twenty-Five, a stunning cookbook full of ideas and inspiration from 25 of the hottest pastry chefs across the country. 

Filled with amazing photos and scrumptious recipes, this collection looks at each chef, one-by-one, and shares their journeys, their inspirations, and their passions as well as one of their best recipes. Featuring chefs such as Christina Tosi, Dominique Ansel, Candace Nelson, and Gary Gottenbusch, this cookbook is a fabulous treat for anyone considering a future in pastry, home bakers, and those of us who just love to drool over pictures of cake. 

Whether your passion is sweet treats, pretzels, artisan bread, pie, cookies, or cupcakes, there is something in this cookbook that will make your taste buds happy. Spiced Carrot Cake, Caramel Apple Tarts, Coconut Sorbet, California-Raisin Walnut Pretzels, or Wild Fennel Levain--all this and so, so much more. All in there, just waiting for you. 

While I love these recipes, I was most captivated by these chefs' stories. You get to hear what got them started in baking and how they learned their crafts. There are lots of stories about families of bakers, culinary school, traveling, interning--the paths they took to pastry greatness are almost as varied as their current roles, bakeries, and delicious offerings. This book made me want to pack a bag and drive from town to town to hunt down each of these bakeries and try all these breads and pastries. 

So head to your local bookstore and check this out. But don't read it hungry. You'll regret it, unless you happen to live close to one of these bakeries. And if that's the case, can you send me a little something? 

Galleys for Twenty-Five were provided by the publisher through NetGalley.com.