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Food with Mark Bittman: Justin Ellen

Cooking better than grandma, missing prom to be on "Is It Cake?", and being a young Black baker in a world that doesn’t see you coming.

Published September 17, 2026

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Justin Ellen/Instagram

Justin Ellen is a phenom baker at just 22 years old, has almost a million Instagram followers, and his debut cookbook Better Than Grandma’s is out this week. He appeared on Netflix’s Is It Cake? at just 18, fooling the judges twice, while also missing his prom and graduation to film it.

Listen to Justin Ellen on Food with Mark Bittman

Today’s episode of Food with Mark Bittman was recorded in person at my house at Glynwood, where Justin and I made bread pudding from Justin’s book. He talked to Kate and me about starting his baking business accidentally at 15, making Mary J. Blige‘s birthday cake, and why being a young Black male baker in public matters to him. (I talked about my own grandmother too.)

And: we’ve got recipes from Justin’s book for you — Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, Chocolate Cobbler, and the Bread Pudding.

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