Will Cotton with a tart at Partners & Spade

Will Cotton fan at Partners and Spade admires tasty window display

Readers: confession. I devoured a chocolate chip meringue for breakfast. But let me explain. The confection had great provenance. I purchased Sunday afternoon at the quirky Partners and Spade gallery on Great Jones Street during painter Will Cotton’s afternoon bake-off.

Will Cotton bakery at Partners and Sons

The artist, who paints glamorous pin-up gals wafting in fantastical candy lands, wore an apron and tempted me with a  fruit tart.

A bevy of art world helpers, wearing cupcake topped tiaras, hustled around the gallery whipping up cakes, tarts, pies and macaroons. They included art adviser Christine Zehner, photographer Tina Heijmanek, Gagosian Gallery’s Rose Dergan and Kara Vander Weg.

Cotton’s bakery continues Nov. 15 and 22.