iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 11/03/2025

Celebrating Women’s History Month at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture! ✨ Join me for a special Bodega Bakes pop-up at Sweet Home Café every Friday in March, featuring my pastries and book signings on 3/14 & 3/28 from 10-12pm .

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 26/02/2025

stealthisrecipe.substack.com/p/steal-this...

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 10/02/2025

This one is for the folks who think “who the hell does she think she is— she’s easily replaceable talent— she’s not worth __ amount”

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 10/02/2025

People just assume I’m up to nothing because of my goofy approach to life but here’s what I’ve been up to just in the cookbook arena. Best Cookbooks of ‘24: NYT, WaPo, Food Network, BonApp, F&W, LA Times, Eater, Forbes, Delish, Robb Report, Library Journal, Amazon, B&N & best of ‘25 by RUSA CODES

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 04/02/2025

My publisher just emailed to let me know that Bodega Bakes was honored by RUSA during their Book & Media Awards Ceremony at ALA LibLearnX. Congrats to all the other Essential Cookbooks of 2025! lnkd.in/esMmJNbr

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 03/02/2025

Carrot buttermilk pie, nasturtium coconut cream pie, sorrel snickerdoodle’s & campfire brownies

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 23/01/2025

It’s time to try something new 🧡 stealthisrecipe.substack.com/about Follow my other Bluesky account @stealthisrecipe.substack.com

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 19/01/2025

VIRTUAL DEMO RAFFLE BENEFITING BLACK LOS ANGELENOS- Virtual Demo perks: 🧁 Win a free copy of Bodega Bakes 🧁 Pick a recipe from Bodega Bakes to bake 🧁 1:1 virtual bake along for 1-10 people of your choice with an exclusive Q&A session 🧁 Hanging out with your fave internet bestie lol

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 19/01/2025

Forgot to screenshot the TikTok pop up. But I am intrigued to see how different these notes are.

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 19/01/2025

I didn’t realize we could post videos on Bluesky! 😨 #recipes

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 14/01/2025

The Gloria is a cross between a dry, orange Negroni and a bitter orange martini. Let’s make this cocktail, my way: 1.5 oz Gunpowder Irish Gin .5 oz Campari .5 oz Vermú Rosé (rose vermouth) .5 Aperol Orange Twist - for Garnish. #recipe

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 09/01/2025

Vanilla donut with pink icing 😍

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 21/12/2024

Come to Maketto’s pop-up shop today to try my Mont Blancas! Chestnut cream, sour guava, strawberries and NY style cheesecake (dusted with matcha for your enjoyment * not pictured) See ya later

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 16/12/2024

Yuzu Meringue Pie 🍋✨ Graham cracker crust, bright yuzu, & fluffy Dominican meringue on top. Come get a slice! Tuesday - Saturday 5-10pm at Providencia (Yuzu meringue pie and other holiday offerings will be available for preorder 🔜)

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 12/12/2024

Bodega Bakes is one of the best cookbooks of 2024!!!! Not in my deck of cards for the year but I’m grateful nonetheless 🥲😭🥲😭

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 10/12/2024

Thank you @nytimes.com for naming Bodega Bakes one of the best cookbooks of 2024!!!

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 09/12/2024

A perfect little weekend book popup.

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 05/12/2024

Hey Washington DC stop by my favorite jewelry shop Catbird in Georgetown this Saturday from 12pm - 5pm! I’ll be signing a few copies of my books and bringing some tasty sweets for a few lucky early birds with purchase 🎀 See you this Saturday!

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 03/12/2024

We got BEST BAR OF THE YEAR!!!!! Thank you so much @Eater_DC Chef Erik Joe, Danny & Pedro! 💝 Come visit us at Providencia 🥲🫂 Congratulations to everyone on the list happy December 😭🥹😭

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 03/12/2024

Thank you @washingtonpost.com @latimes.com for naming Bodega Bakes one of the best cookbooks in 2024

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 28/11/2024

Sweet plantain baguettes 🍽️

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 21/11/2024

Today I woke up with gratitude in my heart and I didn’t know why. Thank you @foodandwine.flipboard.com.ap.brid.gy for naming Bodega Bakes one of the best cookbooks of 2024

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 21/11/2024

Coquito Crullers & Plantain tiramisu at Providencia in Washington DC 🍽️ #washingtondc

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 19/11/2024

If you’re in DC and you’re looking for an interesting thanksgiving pie, I got you 🍽️ maketto.square.site

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 18/11/2024

Sunflower seed rainbow cookies from my cookbook Bodega Bakes 🍽️

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 18/11/2024

After seeing the insane prices for ornaments I’ve gone back to crafting my own. Last year I did citrus, this I’m running with bows, peaches and lemons 😂

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 18/11/2024

Put up my Christmas tree today 😄

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 16/11/2024

#recipe Chinola rice crispy treats- •2 sticks butter •16oz mini marshmallows •1/2 tsp kosher salt •7 cups rice crispy cereal •1/4 cup passionfruit powder (plus more for decoration) •flakey sea salt to finish. 1/3 #chefpaola

Chef Paola Velez makes chinola (passionfruit) rice crispy treats

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 15/11/2024

BAKED ALASKA SHAVED ICE at Providencia just off of H street #washingtondc #pastries #chefsofbluesky

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 15/11/2024

Desserts I want to see more of in restaurants as a chef with 20 years of experience 2/2 #chef

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 15/11/2024

Desserts I want to see more of in restaurants as a chef with 20 years of experience 1/2 #chef

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 14/11/2024

Well as a fitting update from my last post on this app, my book (Bodega Bakes) was named best book of the year 2024 by Amazon!! 🥹

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 05/04/2024

Woke up to this great news from my publisher! THIS IS CRAZY BANANAS! #1 in four categories on Amazon. 🥺🫂 (Idk how long this will last but it’s still so awesome to see!)

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 05/04/2024

Hi everyone! I’m publishing a cookbook on 10/1!! here’s the cover reveal! 🍇💖 & if you like to bake here’s the preorder link! www.unionsquareandco.com/978145495237... #bodegabakes #pastries #cookbook

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 04/07/2023

I was gifted some Spicewalla (the Tpain collection to be exact) & I couldn’t figure out for the life of me what to make… I like thinking outside of the box. So I made PICKLES with it. So tasty lol 🥒🥒🥒 - Follow for more tasty content & silly Chef thoughts ❤️

Tpain and Spicewalla spice blend pickles made by Chef Paola

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 04/07/2023

Good morning! Hummingbird Choux au craquelin aka cream puffs - Follow for more tasty content or silly chef thoughts

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 03/07/2023

Slushy Caipirinha’s - Follow me for more tasty content & silly chef takes

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 03/07/2023

Posting this here cause at least someone will see it 🫣 I didn’t think that I would have another concept in me like La bodega bakery. I poured my all into those little donuts and BEC’s. But two years ago when I called my mom to tell her that the project ended,

Baby Chef Paola with her mother in the 90’s

Young Paola in the Bronx sitting by flowers smiling

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 03/07/2023

A likkle sweet: double fried, vanilla cream crullers - Double frying helps the crullers stay crispier and crunchier for longer, heavy cream icing laced with vanilla beans make this treats both nostalgic, and decadent. - Follow me for more tasty content & silly Chef thoughts

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 03/07/2023

Dominican/Tex-Mex nachos & sour cherry margaritas - Hola i’m Paola - Follow for more tasty content & silly Chef thoughts

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Paola Velez @smallorchids.com · 03/07/2023

Cavatelli in tomato butter 🤌🏽🍅 - Follow for more tasty content or silly Chef thoughts

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