Maury Rubin began his career in television, winning two Emmies for his directing and producing at ABC Sports. In 1990, after a year training in France, he opened the City Bakery which went on to become a New York City institution for almost three decades. The bakery became especially known for its hot chocolate, its Pretzel Croissant, and its wide range of tarts including Lemon Tart in a Chocolate Crust, Milky Way Tart, Chocolate Custard infused with Ethiopian Coffee Beans, Passion Fruit Tart with a Raspberry Polka Dot, Orange Tarts Made out of Apples, Bunch of Nuts in a Tart, World's First Stuffed Raspberry Tart and Fresh Ricotta Tart with Fruit and Edible Flowers. Rubin is also a graphic designer, and his layout and illustration for Book of Tarts won the IACP Cookbook Design of the Year.