From Martha Stewart's Kitchen To Schoharie County: How Anthony Leberto Found His Creative Home
Brimstone Bakery went from wholesale cookies to a garden sanctuary—but it was Schoharie County where Anthony truly planted roots, curating art galleries and building community one creative experience at a time.
Anthony Leberto serving up pastries with a smile at Brimstone Bakery.
Anthony Leberto heard a voice in his head standing in a rundown house in Sharon Springs: "This is your home." It was 2017. He and his husband had driven up from New York City after reading a magazine article, visited the historic American Hotel, and met a local realtor by chance. They agreed to view three properties—just for fun.
That third house needed serious work. But the voice was clear. It was a sign Anthony couldn't ignore. That intuition marked a turning point for the Italian American from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, whose career had already zigzagged across the country—from studying communications at Syracuse University to San Francisco's vibrant food scene, from Martha Stewart's test kitchen to Steve Hanson's fine dining empire.
The Winding Path to Sharon Springs
Anthony's family imagined him becoming "the next Anderson Cooper" after Syracuse University's Newhouse School. Instead, San Francisco's culinary world captivated him. He took an apprenticeship, embracing a "nothing works if you don't hard work" philosophy that his family had instilled.
The East Coast called him back. As Martha Stewart's food stylist and recipe developer, Anthony absorbed crucial lessons. "Martha taught me the art of attention to detail, colors and proportions," he recalls—skills that would later shape everything from bakery packaging to gallery curation at 287 Main. Working under restaurateur Steve Hanson, opening fine dining establishments, Anthony learned a philosophy that still guides him: "You're not a waiter, you're a tour guide." Create transformative experiences. Transport people. A personal chef position gave him creative freedom. "I would truly say this is how I learned to cook," he reflects. "I could use my palette, that's what I really enjoy—the balance."
Building Brimstone Bakery
By 2018, Brimstone Bakery was born. What started as wholesale—jams, jellies, Anthony's childhood cookies reaching clients from Pittsfield to NYC—evolved through improvisation and community connection.
During the pandemic, a Saturday walk-up window met demand for accessibility. One memorable Saturday, a family wanted to sit and enjoy lunch. Anthony grabbed two vintage sawhorses and a sheet of glass, creating an impromptu dining table with full service. That moment crystallized his approach: meet people where they are, create something beautiful from what you have. The cluttered front porch transformed into a lush garden sanctuary. Indoor seating followed. A library nook. "We want to transport you," Anthony explains. "You don't know if you're sitting in NYC, a garden in England, street dining in Paris, New Orleans or in our Schoharie County."
Investing in Upstate Community
But Anthony didn't just open a bakery—he invested. He joined the boards of Klinkhart Hall Arts Center and Schoharie County Arts, curating galleries at 287 Main, SEEC's community coworking space. His food styling background translates seamlessly: arranging visual elements, balancing color and texture, guiding viewers through sensory journeys. As Vice President of the Sharon Springs Chamber of Commerce, he strengthens connections between artists, entrepreneurs, and neighbors—the same mix of people who gather at Brimstone's tables.
"I think food can break all social barriers," Anthony shares. At his bakery, farmers and doctors, students and grandparents find common ground. Through his arts council work, he extends that philosophy—using creativity to build bridges, giving local artists visibility, ensuring Schoharie County's creative spirit thrives. At 287 Main, Anthony helps transform walls into windows—showing visitors and residents alike the depth of talent rooted in these hills. His curation work ensures that art isn't just displayed but experienced, that each gallery visit transports people the way a perfectly composed plate or a well-designed garden does.
Growing Something Lasting in Schoharie County
From a chance magazine article to a mystical voice in a rundown house, Anthony transformed whimsical moments into deep roots. Through Brimstone Bakery's garden sanctuary, the galleries at 287 Main, and his chamber leadership, he creates doorways—inviting everyone to experience the balance of worldly sophistication and hometown warmth that defines Schoharie County.
"Brimstone Bakery is my way of inviting people into my creative world," Anthony says. Through his work with Schoharie County Arts Council, that invitation extends to an entire community of artists—and every visitor who walks through the doors at 287 Main.
Visit Brimstone Bakery: 922 Chestnut Street, Sharon Springs | brimstonebake.com
Thank you, Anthony, for your dedication to making Schoharie County's creative community thrive—and for helping bring art to life at 287 Main.
