Say “hello” to DOU 🍰

DOU Bakehouse's pastry chef poses with an entremet pastry

Meet Diana Cortes Blanquicet, DOU’s pastry chef | Photo by Werlost Boys provided by DOU Bakehouse

From the outside, 830 N. Massachusetts Ave. may seem quiet — but inside, the DOU Bakehouse team is hard at work baking thousands of sweets each and every week for some of Central Florida’s biggest brands, like the happiest place on Earth. We asked pastry chef Diana Cortes Blanquicet about how she got her start, the bakery’s growth, and the bakers’ current pastry obsession.

Diana first started baking in 2008 at a culinary school in Argentina. Baking and Pastry was her most challenging class, but also the one that inspired her to keep pursuing the sweet side of the culinary world.

Pastry chef Diana Cortes Blanquicet bakes French pastries — Where do we sign up to taste test these pastries?

In 2015, a client asked Diana to bake cookies for the coffee shops she worked in — it turns out those coffee shops were inside one of Orlando’s largest theme parks. “Back then, it was just my husband David and me, scooping cookies by hand and working out of a commissary kitchen, delivering them in our Honda Civic,” Diana says.

DOU Bakehouse has come a long way since then, growing to 18 employees baking thousands of sweets per week for theme parks, resorts, cruise lines, and more in a 5,000-sqft facility in midtown Lakeland.

Colorful financier pops sit on a baking sheet with a sign reading "Create" — Financier pops are available in flavors like lemon and blueberry or chocolate and orange.

The bakehouse specializes in European-style pastries, including cookies, French macarons, chocolates, and entremets. Diana says DOU is currently obsessed with financier pops — small cakes made with almond flour and brown butter, dipped in chocolate, and topped with ganache. These colorful treats are as tasty as they are Instagram-worthy.

Can’t wait to get your hands on one of these pastries? You can place an order online and pick it up from the bakehouse at 830 N. Massachusetts Ave. (across the way from Haus 820) to take your tastebuds on a European vacation.

EVENTS

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Friday, Jan. 6

First Friday: Three Kings’ Celebration | Friday, Jan. 6 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 117 N. Kentucky Ave. | Free | Celebrate Three Kings’ Day with family activities, food trucks, and live music by Tito Puente, Jr. and his Latin Jazz Ensemble.
Hernando Audubon Birding Trip | Friday, Jan. 6 | 8-11:45 a.m. | Circle B Bar Reserve, 4399 Winter Lake Rd., Lakeland | Free | View wading birds and waterfowl through the reserve’s marsh system — meet in the parking lot.
COhatch Lakeland Grand Opening | Friday, Jan. 6 | 5:30-9 p.m. | COhatch Lakeland, 211 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Check out this new coworking space with a tour, food, drinks, face painting, and a community mural.

Saturday, Jan. 7

New Year Workout with Camp Gladiator | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 7-10 a.m. | Lakeland Ice Arena, 3395 W. Memorial Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Meet trainers, complete a workout, and set New Year’s goals together.
Author Talk with Namina Forna | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 2 p.m. | Virtual | Free | This bestselling author will discuss the second book in “The Gilded Ones” series and answer audience questions in a conversation with the Lakeland Public Library.
Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Find fresh produce, plants, and locally handcrafted items at this outdoor farmers market.

Sunday, Jan. 8

Public Skate 2023 | Sunday, Jan. 8 | 2:30-7 p.m. | 3395 W. Memorial Blvd., Lakeland | $15 | Get ready to lace up your skates at Lakeland’s only indoor ice arena — times vary by availability.
Paul Cataldo Duo w/ Billy’s Roadside Grill | Sunday, Jan. 8 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free | No “Sunday scaries” here — stop by for live music by Paul Cataldo Duo and food from Billy’s Roadside Grill.
“Legally Blonde The Musical” | Sunday, Jan. 8 | 7:30-10 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $66-$86 | Bend and snap your way to this Broadway musical rendition of the beloved rom-com.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

69º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain

Health

Lakeland Regional Health President and CEO Danielle Drummond made Becker’s Hospital Review’s list of “26 Women CEOs of Hospitals and Health Systems to Know.” The review highlighted her efforts to create the Harrell Family Center for Behavioral Wellness and the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children. (Becker’s Hospital Review)

Development

Total Wrecking & Environmental is coming in like a wrecking ball at Lakeland Electric’s CD McIntosh Power Plant. The demolition company will implode the plant’s 260-ft stack and 90-ft Selective Catalytic Reduction unit on Saturday, Jan. 14. Pro tip: Keep an eye out for possible traffic delays around Lake Parker. 🚧

Legacy

A newly signed federal bill will rename the post office at 6000 S. Florida Ave. to the US Marine Corporal Ronald R. Payne Jr. Post Office. The new name honors Corporal Payne, a Polk County resident who died serving in Afghanistan in 2004 and received the Bronze Star with Valor. (The Ledger)

Coming Soon

Remember the upscale fast-food restaurant coming to south Lakeland that was teased back in November? The mystery has been revealed. Culver’s newest Lakeland location is under development at the corner of South Florida Avenue and Christina Boulevard. Another location is almost complete at 4255 Clubhouse Rd. in Highland City. 🍔

Ranked

No. 2. That’s what Florida ranked on U-Haul’s list of top one-way destinations in 2022, ranking in the top three for the seventh year in a row. Wondering where our new neighbors are moving from? Check out Lakeland’s migration patterns to see where people are packing for Swan City. 📦 (Fox 13 News)

Biz

After facing delays due to hurricane damage, Monkee’s of Lakeland is moving into its brick-and-mortar boutique at 2514 S. Florida Ave. on Thursday, Jan. 19. Shop the final days of its pop-up at The Curated Collective today and tomorrow from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for sales on fall and winter fashions.

Learn

Calling all teachers: Register now for Bonnet Springs Park’s Teacher Professional Development Workshop: Aquatic WILD training on Saturday, Jan. 21. Local educators can gain a certificate and aquatic wildlife teaching curriculum at this free training in the park’s Nature Classroom. Registration is limited to 20 teachers. 🌱

Sports

George Jenkins High School girls’ track coach Dale Meskimen has stepped down from coaching after 16 years to spend time with his family. Dale coached his team to 20 district titles and 19 county titles, in addition to several state championships in track and cross-country. 🥇 (The Ledger)
Just like magic. The Lakeland Magic kicked the year off with a 131-116 win over the College Park Skyhawks in Atlanta on Monday. Catch the team in their next home game against the Westchester Knicks on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m., rescheduled from Dec. 29. (The Ledger)

Regional

One of the best perks of living in Lakeland: Close proximity to some of the world’s greatest theme parks. Check out some of the attractions opening and closing this year at Legoland, Walt Disney World, Busch Gardens, and more as you make your staycation plans. 🎢 (WTSP)

Cause

If horses are going hungry, Plant City’s RVR Horse Rescue is here to help. As the rescue receives an influx of horses dealing with starvation, it’s seeking community support. Learn more about helping through rehoming, volunteering, or sponsorship. (Fox 13 News)
Registration is officially open for the Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center Promise Run. The annual 5K/10K — which will be hosted at the Lake Mirror Promenade on Saturday, March 4 — allows the community to help conquer cancer and celebrate loved ones impacted by the disease. Learn more + register. 👟*

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ARTS

How’s this for street art? 🎨

An in-ground water meter painted with a water conservation message

Find this painting on your next walk down Kentucky Avenue. | Photo by @gabysartgallery

The local artist known as Gaby’s Art Gallery is working with Lakeland Water Utilities to bring awareness to water conservation with two new paintings — but not on a canvas. These art pieces can be found on water meters on Kentucky Avenue, giving “street art” a new meaning.

Keep an eye out for the first piece featuring wildlife on the sidewalk in front of Taco Bus (126 S. Kentucky Ave.). Gaby is working on her second piece, which will be just up the street in front of Palace Pizza (114 S. Kentucky Ave.).

You can keep up with the project’s progress by following @gabysartgallery on Instagram. Interested in learning more about conserving water? Check out Lakeland Water Utilities’ conservation tips and request a free water conservation kit, including a low-flow shower head, educational materials, and more.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Connor.

Editor’s pick: Even more goodies from DOU Bakehouse are on the way. The bakery teased a surprise coming soon in February. Keep an eye on its Instagram to be the first to know what’s popping up.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Mark your calendar for the Lakeland History and Culture Center’s upcoming lecture series, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Rilee Delgado, Connor Keith, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

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