Cheryl Day

BIO

Cheryl Day is a celebrated heritage baker, New York Times bestselling cookbook author, and two-time James Beard Award nominee.
As a dynamic entrepreneur and captivating on-air personality, Cheryl’s charm shines through on popular TV shows like Christopher Kimball’s Milkstreet and My Family Recipe, Netflix’s High on the Hog, as well as on numerous podcasts, where she shares her profound expertise in southern heritage scratch baking with her trademark approachable homespun style.

Her acclaimed book, Cheryl Day’s Treasury of Southern Baking, not only received the IACP award in the American cookbooks category but also earned a James Beard Award nomination for Baking and Desserts in 2022. Alongside her husband and baking soulmate, Griff, Cheryl co-founded Savannah’s iconic Back in the Day Bakery, where they dedicated 22 years to crafting culinary delights cherished by locals and visitors alike.

Beyond her culinary prowess, Cheryl is a visionary leader and advocate, with an innate ability to build community. She co-founded Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice, a transformative initiative that started as a coalition of culinary professionals with a mission to support Black-owned restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through collaboration with The LEE Initiative, SRRJ has raised and distributed over $3.3M in grants, empowering more than 200 Black-owned restaurants nationwide.

Cheryl’s philosophy of “Slow down and enjoy the sweet life” resonates in all aspects of her work and life. A Savannah, Ga local with California roots, Cheryl lives with Griff, their beloved dog Story, and a treasured collection of vintage cookbooks.

Stay connected with Cheryl’s culinary adventures on Instagram at @cherylday

MEDIA

Television: Milk Street My Family Recipes.

With a combination of historical context and modern culinary know-how, chefs Christopher Kimball and Cheryl Day help home cooks recreate lost or forgotten cherished family recipes. On the ROKU Channel.

Milk Street

Back In The Day Bakery Is Gone But Never Forgotten

The beloved Savannah bakery shut its doors February 17

Read Article

Back in the Day Bakery Is Savannah's Sweetest Spot

For the owners, an unflappable positive spirit has been a recipe for success

Read Article

High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America | Season 2 Trailer | Netflix

Official Trailer

FOOD & DRINK

Bidding Farewell to Back in the Day Bakery

As Cheryl and Griffith Day close the doors of their beloved Savannah bakeshop after twenty-two years, a friend and fellow baker considers their quietly groundbreaking impact

By LISA DONOVAN

February 14, 2024

Cheryl Day, Co-Founder Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice

Learn More

Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook is a throwback to simpler times

Read Article