Hi, I’m Stone —The Mountaintop Baker
Welcome to my Mountaintop Kitchen…
…where I bake for pure enjoyment! I’ve been baking ever since self-enlisting as an “apprentice” in my grandma’s East Detroit kitchen, where the juxtaposition of Appalachian and Sicilian dishes produced a multitude of aromas, colors, textures, and delicious flavors that captivated the senses. I was smitten then, and I still am. Everyone can bake, and that’s why I’m sharing my story with you.
I’m Frank Stonehouse, arbitrarily known as the Mountaintop Baker up here in Mexico’s stunning Sierra Madre Occidental. The hope is that my Mountaintop Kitchen will inspire you, much like my grandma’s kitchen inspired me.
While baking has always been one of my passions, I decided years ago that it wouldn’t pay the bills as it does for internet-famous bakers today. So, I pursued an academic path and launched a career with the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. When I wasn’t wrapped up at work, I was baking: on my days off, after work, and even inside my head as I explored every bakery and eatery within driving range. Grandma’s influence was a lasting, impelling force. As I tried this and that, my coworkers benefited from a steady flow of baked treats next to the coffee pot; they even appreciated the occasional flop.
After Washington, I relocated to Santa Fe to work at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where I retired some 10 years later. My time in Santa Fe proved pivotal in my baking journey. The bakeries and restaurants in the region captured my every waking moment; New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona became my R&D playgrounds. Inspiration came from every dessert and artisan bread on the menus of Cloud Cliff Bakery, Chocolate Maven, Tesuque Village Market, Harry’s Roadhouse, The Cowgirl Hall of Fame, and Geronimo on Canyon Road, internationally-renowned for its upscale galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. These are just a few of the places where I harvested bits and pieces of inspiration over that crucial decade. But, adjusting from the sea level of Detroit and Washington, D.C., to the higher altitudes of the Rocky Mountains meant I had to retool, reinvent, and relearn everything I knew about baking; I was on a mission to take my baking to new heights, literally! Find time to do what you love, even if it’s just planting and nurturing the seeds now to grow as you go. Baking, like many endeavors, is a journey of the heart and soul.
Until now, I’ve only shared my baking exploits on Instagram. However, Instagram is more of a showcase portfolio; it’s time to move beyond simply staging photos to sharing stories and recipes. So here I am; thank you for joining me and learning and baking with me as I continue my journey. Feel free to invite your family and friends to join us. Everyone is welcome here.
Everyone has a mountain to climb
This space is for the community of bakers, whether you’re just starting out, baking occasionally, or firing up your ovens every day. It’s also for those inspired by those before them and those alongside them now. If this sounds right for you, please consider subscribing for free today so we can all learn, grow, and share our passions together.
What’s on the menu
Every week, new recipes will be featured and added to the growing archives. Transitioning from Instagram to this more community-based format will take some time. However, as those recipes are migrated behind the scenes, new ones will go out weekly in a newsletter sent directly to your email… perfect timing for weekend shopping and baking. That’s my commitment to you and myself.