New St. Pete bakery specializes in homemade Kurdish and Turkish cuisine

Tanya Shkaki owes her love and talent for cooking to her mom. "She is my energy," said the owner of the new St. Pete Bakery (600 1st Ave. N). "She taught me a lot about food and pastries." From Kurdistan in northern Iraq, Shkaki first wowed local foodies as a popular vendor at the Saturday Morning Market. Her must-have hit? Four different kinds of homemade baklava: pistachio, cinnamon, chocolate and cardamom.