Angel writes: My co-worker Nick suggested we have a baked-goods potluck at work. I got excited because I have a great baked-mac-and-cheese recipe. But Nick said it wouldn’t count. He says it must be something made with a batter or dough. I disagree!

Many things are baked (potatoes, Brie, Alaska), and like macaroni and cheesegrand finity play, they are good. But they are not “baked goods” in common usage. They don’t call it “The Great British Clambake” (though as a sweet-averse person, I would watch that forever). In your case, most of the cooking happens outside the oven, and the baking is just a finishing move. That said, who cares? No one is sad when mac and cheese shows up to the party, especially savory boys like your judge. While some transgressions are designed to shock us, to make us doubt our own judgment as institutions are unraveled and reality is rewritten around us, others are merely delicious. Nick’s just worried that you’ll upstage his zucchini bread or whatever, and yes: You will.

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