Chic Spotlight: Brunch & Bitches

Cincy Chic: Tell us about your new culinary canine bookbook Brunch & Bitches!
Melinda Kirk Stenger, Founder of I Love PetCakes and Author of Brunch & Bitches: After 10 years of dreaming about it and 3 years of talking about it, I finally completed my first culinary canine cookbook, Brunch & Bitches. I created 14 healthy brunch inspired dishes for your dogs that look exactly like the human version, but completely healthy for your pooches. There is no salt, processed sugars, wheat, corn or soy in any of the recipes. Each recipe has a glamour shot so you know what the final version looks like along with step by step photos of how to make it. The prep and cook time is included along with a section of “what you need.” It’s so easy to follow that kids can make them. In fact, I asked a local 12 year old to make each and every recipe in the book and some of her creations were even better looking than mine!

Cincy Chic: What’s the inspiration behind it?
Kirk Stenger: I love to cook and I love my animals, so I started cooking for them years ago. I have always humanized my fur babies. For example, at our home, treats are called “cookies”, we “potty train” instead of house break and I have always wanted my dogs to go everywhere I go and enjoy the same foods that I do. So, what started out as a trick, turned into a passion. Brunch happens to be my favorite meal. I wanted to see if I could create waffles that were for the dogs but looked and smelled good enough to fool my husband and step-daughter into eating them. And it worked, but without salt and sugar, all of my dishes are too bland for our taste buds, but the dogs go crazy over them!

Cincy Chic: Who’s behind the cookbook?
Kirk Stenger: Two years ago, I started working on these recipes and got an idea.  I partnered with local high-end restaurants that had pet-friendly patios to create one-of-a-kind events that I called Bone Soiree Brunches.  The restaurants catered to the 2-legged guests and I catered to the 4-legged guests with my Canine Quiches and Woof Waffles. Since the pandemic hit, I had the time to create more recipes and complete this book.  However, there were many supporters along my journey, but none more helpful than my husband, Jerry Stenger.  

Cincy Chic: What is included with the purchase of a Brunch & Bitches cookbook?
Kirk Stenger: Presale includes a free Brunch & Bitches calendar, $1 per book donated to SAAP, 50% off coupon code for iLovePetCakes.com online store.

Cincy Chic: What types of recipes can be found in the cookbook?
Kirk Stenger: All of the recipes use healthy ingredients you probably already have in your pantry that are safe for dogs.  In fact, most of them are gluten-free.  You can find Woof Waffles, Canine Crepes, Mutt Muffins, Barktown Biscuits with Tail Waggin’ Turkey Gravy and many more with fun furry names.  I had as much fun naming them as I did creating them.  Always remember, if your dog is sensitive to certain foods, then you need to consult with your veterinarian before making them.

Cincy Chic: What makes your new cookbook unique?
Kirk Stenger: There have been many dog themed cookbooks.  They all use similar ingredients as mine, but no one has created recipes for dogs that are meant to look exactly like human food and none have had a human theme like Brunch.  Can dogs have cinnamon rolls or smoothies?  They can if they use my Cinnamon Roll-Over or Furry Fruit Smoothie recipe! Another very unique concept about this book is how we plan on promoting it.  I will partner with nonprofits across the country every weekend in 2021 to create COVID safe “drive-through” book signings and donate 50% of those sales directly back to the charity.  

Cincy Chic: Is there anything new on the horizon for you?
Kirk Stenger: I have already started working on my next culinary canine cookbook to be launched in Fall of 2021.  In fact, I am working on a complete series of cookbooks for dogs and children’s books about dogs.  I have always wanted to write but didn’t think I could do it.  I am so blessed to be able to do something I love and give back at the same time. I feel like I am finally living my dream life!

Cincy Chic: Where can readers go to learn more and follow along?
Kirk Stenger: To buy the book, visit www.brunchandbitches.com. You can also follow along on Facebook and Instagram.