The idea hatched by Adam August and Nick Hicks—to open a cookie shop—was missing one significant ingredient: a baker. But August sent emails to a handful of candidates, and he got a hit he never expected: Max Santiago, the award-winning executive pastry chef of several notable five-star hotels. Flash-forward and Batch, The Cookie Company is now open in the FAT Village/The Hive section of Flagler Village in Fort Lauderdale. Melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookies—made with vanilla dough, Valrhona semisweet dark chocolate and Maldon sea salt—are among the many varieties. (batchcookieco.com)
