Donna Bell's Bake Shop: Recipes and Stories of Family, Friends, and Food

The heartwarming story of how NCIS star Pauley Perrette and her two best friends created a Southern-style bake shop in Manhattana celebration of love and friendship with gorgeous photographs and delicious recipes.

Nestled in the heart of midtown New York is a little shop with a big story. An all-natural bake shop that specializes in Southern baked goods, Donna Bells is owned by Pauley Perrette, the actress who plays Abby Sciuto on CBSs NCIS, and her two best friends, Darren Greenblatt and Matthew Sandusky. It was named in honor of Pauleys late mother, who is the beloved inspiration for everything they bake.

It all started in 1993, when Pauley met Darren in New York Citys Hells Kitchen, just blocks away from where the shop is currently located. The two became inseparable friends and Pauleys Southern mom would welcome Darren to their home with mouthwatering treats. Darren loved this food and soon left his successful career in fashion to open a food truck that sold Southern desserts at the Jersey Shore. Eventually he wanted to expand and turned to Pauley and their friend Matthewwho worked in the Los Angeles food industryfor help. Soon Matthew was on his way to New York to open Donna Bells Bake Shop with Pauley and Darren.

With recipes for favorites like buttermilk biscuits, chocolate chip-almond scones, and peach streusel muffins; personal photographs from Pauley, Darren, Matthew, and Donna Bell herself; this is the story how one fantastic bake shop brings warmth and happinessone treat at a timeto the urban jungle that is New York City.