Pastry Arts Podcast (Pastry Arts Magazine)
Explore every episode of Pastry Arts Podcast
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| 19 Aug 2019 | Aggie Chin: From Litigation Clerk to Pastry Chef & James Beard Semifinalist | 00:24:12 | |
In this episode, we connect with Pastry Chef Aggie Chin from Slanted Door Restaurant Group. A native of Washington, D.C., Aggie Chin intended to pursue a career in law, but her passion for food led her to embrace a culinary path. Prior to joining the Slanted Door Restaurant Group in 2019, Chin honed her skills at fine dining restaurants in Washington such as Cleveland Park’s esteemed Palena Restaurant, Georgetown’s Rosewood Hotel, and most recently, the French-focused Mirabelle Restaurant. Chin’s deep understanding of pastries has earned her numerous prestigious accolades, including recognition as the 2015 Pastry Chef of the Year from the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, as well as a 2016 and 2018 James Beard Award Semifinalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef. In this episode we discuss:
This episode is sponsored by: PreGel America: A B2B developer and distributor of high quality, semi-finished dessert ingredients with state-of-the-art International Training Centers in Charlotte, NC; Los Angeles, CA; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Chicago, IL; and Dallas, TX. The PreGel 5-Star Pastry Series®, lectured by world-class pastry chefs, provides superior instruction in specialized pastry arts. Find out more at: https://www.pregeltraining.com/ Savencia Cheese USA: Creator of the revolutionary new Smithfield Pourable Cream Cheese. Created for chefs, by chefs, the pourable cream cheese eliminates the need to heat, bring to room temperature or paddle and is made with all-natural ingredients, no additives or fillers and whips beautifully to save you time. It’s time to rethink cream cheese. Find out more at: https://savenciafoodserviceusa.com/foodservice/domestic-foodservice/pourable-cream-cheese.html | |||
| 07 Jun 2023 | Nicole Patel: An Award-Winning Chocolatier Talks Shop | 00:31:54 | |
In 2006, while pregnant with her first son, Chef Nicole Patel made a batch of chocolate truffles as last-minute holiday gifts. To the delight of her friends and family, truffle-making became an enjoyable pastime for Nicole that relieved the stress of her corporate engineering job. In 2008, a serendipitous trip to the Texas Wine Country led to Nicole being the first person in Texas to make truffles using local wines. Thanks to her dedication and self-taught skills, Delysia Chocolatier quickly rose to become one of the Best Chocolatiers in the Americas, as recognized by the International Chocolate Salon and Taste TV. Nicole has most recently been named 2023’s Best Chocolatier in the Americas with the highest honor, Six Star Award: Grand Master Chocolatier, an impressive designation she has received a total of ten times. Her most recent accolades comprise over 88 awards in total, among which are 20 gold medals and 22 silver medals. Notably, she has demonstrated unmatched mastery in the Spicy Chocolate, Hot Chocolate, Ruby Chocolate, and White Chocolate competition categories. Nicole now pairs the process efficiency skills from her Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering degrees from Texas A&M University with unbound creativity in the kitchen to keep Delysia successfully moving forward. Nicole never could have imagined how her experience working at a Fortune 100 company as a supply chain, quality, and business process improvement expert would prime her for distributing her own products across the country. Nicole lives in Austin, Texas with her husband Rahul and their two sons, Sébastien and Colin. In this episode we discuss:
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| 19 Jul 2021 | Fran Costigan: A Life of Vegan Desserts | 00:51:50 | |
Fran Costigan, chef, cookbook author, and Director of Vegan Baking and Pastry at the Rouxbe Online Culinary School, is internationally renowned as the authority on vegan desserts. Professionally trained, Fran was a chef in both traditional and vegan pastry kitchens before moving into teaching over 25 years ago. Her unapologetically luscious confections lack nothing — except dairy, eggs, white sugar, and cholesterol. Fran’s vegan desserts are appropriate for everyone who loves dessert, whether or not dietary restrictions are an issue. The 90-day Essential Vegan Desserts Course that Fran developed and leads at Rouxbe, the world’s leading online cooking school, is based on her wildly popular Vegan Baking Boot Camp Intensive®. She is thrilled to welcome students of all skill levels, beginners to professionals, from around the globe to this unique in the world course. Fran’s cookbook, Vegan Chocolate Dessert: Unapologetically Luscious and Decadent Dairy-Free Desserts, is available in German, French, and Italian editions and follows the classic More Great Good Dairy-Free Desserts. For more information and recipes, newsletter sign up, visit www.francostigan.com. In this episode, we discuss:
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| 13 Jun 2024 | Susan Bae: Bright Star of the D.C. Pastry Scene and James Beard Award Nominee | 00:31:08 | |
Susan Bae is the Executive Pastry Chef and founding member of Moon Rabbit restaurant in Washington, D.C. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Bae is a 2024 James Beard Foundation Semifinalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef. Before coming to Moon Rabbit, Bae worked as Pastry Chef at the Fairmont Hotel in Austin, Texas, and the Michelin-starred Kali in Los Angeles, among other restaurants. Chef Bae draws inspiration from nature, and uses it as a reference point in her desserts. She adores herbs, often employing them to switch up standard pastry flavors. Once an aspiring school teacher, Chef Bae likes to mentor, and believes it is important to make everyone’s voice heard. She feels that cooks are so important, and that things could not get done without them. It is her opinion that collaboration is key. In her words, “Pastry is not necessarily about the food; it’s about methodical science.”’ In this episode we discuss:
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| 06 Feb 2024 | Didier Saba: Turning a Passion for Macarons into a Thriving Business | 00:23:59 | |
Born and raised in the south of France, Didier Saba started his career as an accountant, but his love for creating French pastries eventually led to training at the famous pastry school Lenôtre. With the help of a renowned pastry chef from Lenôtre, he relocated to the United States and opened his first Le Macaron French Pastries Cafe in 2009. Didier and his family founded Le Macaron with the mission of bringing authentic macarons to the States. Educating and delighting customers about how macarons are truly “the gem of pastries” in France, the company has grown over the years through franchising with more than 70 locations nationwide. Today, Le Macaron is the #1 macaron franchise in the nation. Didier, who is the owner and CEO of Le Macaron, is often told that he has mastered the savoir faire of the macaron, which is one of the most difficult pastries to make. lemacaron-us.com or on Instagram @lemacaronfrenchpastries In this episode we discuss:
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| 30 Apr 2021 | Bianca Bakery: Navigating Operations Post COVID & Beyond | 00:32:01 | |
Gianni Vietina is the co-owner and Executive Chef at Bianca, an Italian, Argentinian and French restaurant with bakery in Culver City. Most of Gianni’s earliest memories are of times he spent immersed in hospitality. Gianni’s parents are restaurateurs, so instead of going home after school, he headed to the restaurants in Forte dei Marmi, Tuscany, to cook and help out. In the 1980’s Gianni’s family moved to Los Angeles, where his father opened celebrity acclaimed Madeo Ristorante in Beverly Hills. Gianni’s work at Madeo and his other restaurant ventures around the world (including Saudi Arabia, Italy and the US) is complemented by his passion for wine. He earned his status as a Certified Sommelier (Gold Pin) and taught at the Italian Sommelier Association and the North American Sommelier Association. In 2019 Gianni and his brother, Nicola, partnered with Federico Fernandez to open Bianca, named after their beloved grandmother. As the Executive Chef, Gianni’s menu is an intersection of international flavors inspired by his childhood, his family and the multicultural influences of Los Angeles. Federico Fernandez is the co-owner and Executive Pastry Chef at Bianca. As a child, Federico kindled his passion for baking with his mother in Argentina. He went on to study culinary arts at the International Buenos Aires Hotel & Restaurant School. Thereafter, Federico embarked on his career in the US, including New York’s famed BiCE. Federico worked at hotels including the Intercontinental, Hyatt, Marriott, and then the Four Seasons, where he spent 20-plus years lending his expertise in Uruguay, Argentina, Canada and across the United States. Federico departed his post as the Executive Pastry Chef of the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles to open his own venture, Bianca, with his business partner, Gianni Vietina. At Bianca, Federico embraces the freedom of creativity by recreating classic recipes from his childhood and adding seasonal twists, while taking inspiration from his surroundings and his family. Federico has been a guest on several TV shows such as Taste Show, The Today Show and Iron Chef. In this episode we discuss:
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| 08 Oct 2019 | Marina Sousa: The Story of an Extraordinary Cake Designer | 00:36:32 | |
Marina Sousa is owner, pastry chef and designer of Just Cake, located in the Monterey Bay area of California. Just Cake opened in January 2003, and since that time Marina has quickly earned recognition for her impeccable style and the unmatched quality of her cakes. Her work has been featured in several national magazines including InStyle, Brides, Modern Bride, The Knot, Today’s Bride, GO Wedding Style and People. Brides magazine featured her as one of the country’s top 50 sugar artists, and she was named on the "Top Ten Cake Designers" list by Desert Professional Magazine. In this episode, you’ll discover:
This episode is sponsored by:Savencia Cheese USA: Creator of the revolutionary new Smithfield Pourable Cream Cheese. Created for chefs, by chefs, the pourable cream cheese eliminates the need to heat, bring to room temperature or paddle and is made with all-natural ingredients, no additives or fillers and whips beautifully to save you time. It’s time to rethink cream cheese. Find out more at: https://savenciafoodserviceusa.com/ | |||
| 12 Dec 2022 | Cynthia Samanian: How to Begin Teaching Pastry & Baking Online | 00:49:18 | |
Cynthia Samanian is the founder of Culinary Creator Business School, an online business education company dedicated to the culinary industry. Her students learn how to create, sell and teach virtual cooking classes, corporate events and recorded courses that help them unlock more freedom and flexibility. Cynthia hosts the 5-star rated Culinary Creator Business School podcast. She's appeared as a guest on top industry podcasts and conferences including Eat Capture Share, Food Biz Wiz, the Food Blogger Summit and the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP). Growing up as a first-generation American in a Persian family, Cynthia is no stranger to the power of food to unite people across cultures. Cynthia is a graduate of Harvard Business School and currently lives in sunny Oakland, California with her husband and two young daughters. Learn about the free training for pastry and baking pros at www.teachpastryonline.com. In this episode:
Episode Sponsored by The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley Get complimentary samples of The Perfect Purée to experience flavor first-hand delivered directly to your business. Samples are available to foodservice professionals in the United States to sample the robust flavor line-up of fruit purees, concentrates, zests and blends. Visit www.perfectpuree.com/pastryarts to request your samples now. | |||
| 31 May 2019 | Jen Yee: Switching Careers, Working Her Way Up & Loving Every Second | 00:29:54 | |
In this episode, we talk with Jen Yee, an award-winning and James Beard recognized pastry chef. Yee serves as Executive Pastry Chef for the notable Linton Hopkins and his hospitality group, Resurgens, with a focus on his flagship, Restaurant Eugene. She walks us through her career and recalls the moments that shaped her professionally. In the episode we discuss:
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| 02 Oct 2021 | Bill Yosses: A Conversation with Former White House Pastry Chef and Now CNO of One World Kitchen | 00:45:55 | |
From January 2007 to July 2014, Bill Yosses held the prestigious title of the White House Executive Pastry Chef. As Pastry Chef of the White House, he was closely involved with Mrs. Obama’s Let’s Move initiative with the goal of reducing childhood health problems related to diet. While there, he conducted bi-weekly tours of the White House vegetable garden for school groups. In a related project, he has given lectures for the “Science and Cooking Course” in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University. The New York City Department of Education has hired his non-profit “Kitchen Garden Laboratory” to give seminars at their STEM INSTITUTE, on the art of cooking to teach science in the classroom for middle-schoolers. His most recent book is entitled, The Sweet Spot: Tamping Down Sugar and Amping up Flavor (Pam Krauss Books, 2017). Yosses earned his A.A.S. degree at New York City College of Technology, a Master of Arts at Rutgers University in French Language and a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toledo. In this episode we discuss:
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| 01 Jul 2019 | Meg Galus: Moving Through the Ranks, Collecting Awards & Staying Humble | 00:33:29 | |
Meg Galus graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a bachelor's degree in Theater Arts. With an affinity for sweets and a passion for creativity, Meg decided to continue her education in the culinary arts and graduated from the French Pastry School in Chicago in 2005. Meg joined Boka Restaurant Group in January of 2015, overseeing the pastry programs of Boka, Momotaro, and Swift and Sons. In 2015 and 2017 she was a James Beard Outstanding Pastry Chef finalist, was awarded Chicago Tribune Pastry Chef of the Year in 2016 and won the Jean Banchet Pastry Chef of the Year in 2017. Chef Meg was a James Beard Outstanding Pastry Chef finalist in 2018. Prior to joining Boka Restaurant Group, Meg was an international semifinalist in the Valrhona C3 competition and placed first in the Chicago Restaurant Pastry Competition. Today, Meg serves as the Executive Pastry Chef for Boka and Somerset. In the episode we discuss:
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| 16 Dec 2024 | Ben Mims: Celebrated Food Writer, Recipe Developer and Cookbook Author | 00:53:17 | |
Ben Mims is a highly regarded James Beard Award-nominated cookbook author and food writer with a passion for crafting inventive, accessible recipes. Over his career, Mims has established himself as a dynamic presence in the culinary world, contributing to some of the most prestigious food publications and platforms. His expertise as a food columnist, editor, and recipe developer has been showcased in renowned outlets like the Los Angeles Times, Food & Wine, Saveur, Lucky Peach, and BuzzFeed’s Tasty. In addition to his editorial work, Mims has penned three celebrated cookbooks, where his signature style of blending comfort food with innovative techniques is on full display. His recipes are noted for their creativity, practical approach, and ability to bring a fresh perspective to classic dishes. His contributions to the food industry have earned him spots in the annual anthology Best Food Writing, further solidifying his role as a key figure in contemporary food media. Known for his versatility and wide-ranging culinary knowledge, Mims has become a go-to expert for both home cooks and food enthusiasts alike, offering recipes and insights that make gourmet cooking approachable and fun. His continued influence in the culinary world reflects his deep commitment to making good food accessible and enjoyable for everyone. In this recipe, we discuss:
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| 19 Aug 2020 | Caroline Schiff: Gage & Tollner’s Pastry Chef | 00:28:33 | |
Widely known under the moniker @pastryschiff, Caroline is a celebrated pastry chef and culinary consultant based in Brooklyn. She got her start in the restaurant industry a decade ago cooking at The Good Fork, and worked her way up through a number of acclaimed restaurants and bakeries including Mas (la Grillade), Maysville NYC, Kenton's NOLA, and Greene Grape Provisions before coming full circle to work with Sohui and Ben once again as Gage & Tollner’s Pastry Chef. Heralded as one of the “Most Badass Female Chefs in New York” by Thrillist, Caroline has been featured on Beat Bobby Flay, Cosmopolitan, Bon Appétit, Chopped, VICE Munchies and The Untitled Action Bronson Show. Caroline’s signature gravity-defying hairdo is outsized only by her enormous heart; in her spare time you can find her either supporting charitable causes or running a marathon. In this episode, you’ll learn:
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| 21 Jul 2022 | Tavel Bristol-Joseph: A Pastry Chefs Journey from Guyana to "Best New Chef" | 00:43:07 | |
Tavel Bristol-Joseph is the Pastry Chef and Partner at Emmer & Rye, Hestia, Kalimotxo, Henbit, TLV and Canje in Austin, Texas. He began his culinary journey as a young boy, spending every Saturday afternoon baking cookies, cakes, and pies with his aunt. After moving to the United States from Guyana when he was 17 years old, Bristol-Joseph attended the New York Restaurant School. He then worked in a variety of restaurants in New York before moving to Tucson in 2006, where he joined Fox Restaurant Concepts. He worked within the restaurant group for two years before going to Zona 78 where he met and began working with Chef Kevin Fink. Fink and Bristol-Joseph decided to move to Austin to open Emmer & Rye in November 2015. Emmer & Rye has been included in Bon Appétit’s “America’s Best New Restaurants 2016” list, as well as named Austin American-Statesman’s“2018 Best Restaurant in Austin.” In 2020, Bristol-Joseph opened Hestia with Fink which has been named “#1 Best New Restaurant in America” by Robb Report. Bristol-Joseph also received the StarChefs Rising Star Award in 2017 and was named one of FOOD & WINE Magazine’s “Best New Chefs of 2020.” Bristol-Joseph is a proud father to teenaged twins and currently resides in Austin with his wife Brittany and his dog Gus Gus. In this episode we discuss:
Episode Sponsored by ASR Group Experts trust Domino and C&H Sugar brands because each powerful grain of their cane sugar delivers an impact. Proving that baking is all about what you put into it. Visit thebakingexperts.com for more insights. | |||
| 27 Jan 2022 | Matthew James Duffy: From Professional Chef to Sourdough Expert | 00:48:12 | |
Known as “Sourdough Duffy”, Chef Matthew James Duffy is a sourdough expert and teacher with an impressive resume. He spent over a decade working as a professionally trained chef in the some of the world’s finest kitchens, including a time at Relais & Chateaux property Langdon Hall in Ontario, Restaurant Noma in Copenhagan, as well as five years working with Chef Daniel Boulud at Café Boulud NYC and as Sous-Chef opening Café Boulud Toronto. But even as he toiled in these restaurant kitchens, Duffy was always thinking about sourdough, and how to improve the bread offerings at each restaurant. He eventually left the restaurant kitchen to pursue this passion for baking by working with well-known bakers around the world, reading a library full of bread books, and embarking on a never-ending journey of learning the craft of sourdough baking. On this quest he worked with King Arthur Flour’s bread master, Jeffrey Hamelman, and attended classes at the San Francisco Baking Institute and the French Pastry School in Chicago. He has represented Canada twice at the world Slow Food Conference in Turin, Italy, and is currently Professor and Program Coordinator at Centennial College’s Pastry Arts Management Program in Toronto. Visit his website at www.matthewjamesduffy.com. Highlights of this episode include:
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| 08 Oct 2022 | Cydni Mitchell: Pricing, Marketing & Sales for Bakery & Sweet Business Owners | 00:42:48 | |
Cydni N. Mitchell (aka Cyd) is a Bakery Consultant and the Sweet Business Coach behind Sweet Fest. Based in Atlanta, GA, Sweet Fest is an online company that supports the business needs of the Sweet Community in the areas of professional development, marketing, branding and web design. By trade, Cyd is an Accountant & Financial Analyst with a Masters from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is the Head Instructor of the Sugar Coin Academy, an online business academy for business owners in the baking and sweets industry, and she is also the organizer of The Ultimate Sugar Show, Georgia’s Largest Annual Baking and Sweets Expo in Atlanta. She is also a Columnist for American Cake Decorating Magazine and has served as a judge on the Holiday Kids' Baking Battle on the CW. In this episode, we discuss:
Episode Sponsored by The Perfect Purée of Napa ValleyGet complimentary samples of The Perfect Purée to experience flavor first-hand delivered directly to your business. Samples are available to foodservice professionals in the United States to sample the robust flavor line-up of fruit purees, concentrates, zests and blends. Visit www.perfectpuree.com/pastryarts to request your samples now. | |||
| 05 Aug 2019 | Scott Green: From Pastry Shops to Team USA, Plating Tips & More! | 00:36:28 | |
In this episode, we connect with Pastry Chef Scott Green. Originally a fine art student in Chicago, until a chance night found him watching a documentary of a pastry competition that inspired him to pursue the craft of cooking. As a pastry professional of 15+ years, Green created Devil’s Food Kitchen to document his life as a chef in digital form – the embodiment of how he works, plays, thinks and creates. In this episode we discuss:
This episode is sponsored by: PreGel America: A B2B developer and distributor of high quality, semi-finished dessert ingredients with state-of-the-art International Training Centers in Charlotte, NC; Los Angeles, CA; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Chicago, IL; and Dallas, TX. The PreGel 5-Star Pastry Series®, lectured by world-class pastry chefs, provides superior instruction in specialized pastry arts. Find out more at: https://www.pregeltraining.com/ Savencia Cheese USA: Creator of the revolutionary new Smithfield Pourable Cream Cheese. Created for chefs, by chefs, the pourable cream cheese eliminates the need to heat, bring to room temperature or paddle and is made with all-natural ingredients, no additives or fillers and whips beautifully to save you time. It’s time to rethink cream cheese. Find out more at: https://savenciafoodserviceusa.com/foodservice/domestic-foodservice/pourable-cream-cheese.html
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| 01 Jan 2023 | Maurizio Leo: Finding Joy in the Quest for the Perfect Sourdough Loaf | 00:45:58 | |
Maurizio Leo is the software engineer-turned-baker behind the award-winning sourdough website, The Perfect Loaf. He grew up in an Italian household and spent summers visiting family in Italy and the back kitchen of his family's Italian restaurant, learning the importance of making food by hand. He holds a master's degree in computer science and co-created the stargazing app, SkyView, before circling back to food and discovering the craft of baking sourdough bread. Since that first loaf of bread, he's been obsessed with adjusting the balance between yeast and bacteria, tinkering with dough strength and hydration, and exploring everything sourdough. His debut cookbook, The Perfect Loaf (Clarkson Potter, 2022), is now available wherever books are sold. In this episode we discuss:
Episode Sponsored by The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley Get complimentary samples of The Perfect Purée to experience flavor first-hand delivered directly to your business. Samples are available to foodservice professionals in the United States to sample the robust flavor line-up of fruit purees, concentrates, zests and blends. Visit www.perfectpuree.com/pastryarts to request your samples now. | |||
| 20 Sep 2022 | Carol Gancia: The Long and Winding Road to Becoming an Artisan Chocolatier | 00:31:39 | |
Carol Gancia is the founder and head chocolatier of Kokak Chocolates, an artisanal chocolate company that specializes in small-batch single-origin heirloom chocolates in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco and ships within the continental U.S. Hailing from San Francisco, Carol Gancia is an immigrant, LGBTQ member and rising female chocolatier. Kokak, which means “ribbit” in the Filipino language, is inspired by Gancia’s Asian heritage. She spearheads the creative process in designing each chocolate’s flavors and pairs it with colorful, playful designs. In this episode we discuss:
Episode Sponsored by ASR Group Experts trust Domino and C&H Sugar brands because each powerful grain of their cane sugar delivers an impact. Proving that baking is all about what you put into it. Visit thebakingexperts.com for more insights. | |||
| 05 Apr 2019 | Ron Ben-Israel: Pastry Genius & Cake Savant Discusses Career Evolution & Gives Professional Advice | 00:30:24 | |
In this episode, we talk with Ron Ben-Israel, pastry genius, and owner of one of the finest couture cake studios of our times - Ron Ben-Israel Cakes. His trendsetting cakes have been featured in countless books, TV shows, films, publications, and in many of New York’s premier hotels and venues. Plus, Ron has been the host and judge of the Food Network’s hit show Sweet Genius for three seasons, a show that has since been syndicated around the world, as well as a judge for three seasons on the FN’s Cake Wars as well as several holiday specials. In the episode we discuss:
For more information visit pastryartsmag.com/podcast | |||
| 25 Feb 2022 | Jimmy Griffin: The Career of a Sixth-Generation Master Baker | 00:56:34 | |
Jimmy Griffin is a sixth-generation master baker from Galway Ireland. He has forty years' experience in the bakery industry, growing up in the family business. He is a specialist in viennoiserie, sourdough, bread and cake production. He holds a Master's degree in Food Product Development and Culinary Innovation and lectures to honors degree bakery students at the School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology, Technological University, Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin. He also works as an advisor and consultant to industry. In 2016, Jimmy was appointed as president of the Jury at the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie in Paris. He regularly lectures and teaches overseas and has been involved with baking and competitions in most continents of the world. In this episode, we discuss:
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| 11 Nov 2019 | Joanne Chang: James Beard Award Winning Baker Recalls Her Entire Career | 00:34:12 | |
A graduate of Harvard College with a degree in Applied Mathematics and Economics, Joanne Chang left a career as a management consultant to enter the world of professional cooking. She is the chef and co-owner of Flour Bakery + Café, with eight locations in the Boston area, and Myers + Chang. She is the 2016 winner of the James Beard award for Outstanding Baker and the author of four acclaimed cookbooks, including her newest, Pastry Love (HMH, 2019). In this episode, you’ll discover:
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| 18 Nov 2020 | Elisa Strauss: From Cake Artist to Owner, Author, Consultant & Teacher | 00:43:20 | |
Elisa Strauss founded Confetti Cakes in 2000. She is a graduate of Vassar College and The Institute of Culinary Education, where she received a degree in pastry and baking arts. Elisa also spent one semester studying at the Art Institute of Chicago. Prior to culinary school, she worked as a designer for Ralph Lauren. In fact, it was a cake she made for Ralph (in the shape of a Bugatti, his favorite sports car) and the heaps of praise it received from fashion industry notables that inspired her to bring her design talents to the kitchen full-time. Her creations have appeared on the Today show (one of her cakes was selected as the winner of the “Today Throws a Wedding” series), Sex and the City (she made Charlotte and Harry’s wedding cake during Season Six), The View and Martha. Elisa has also been featured on The View, and has appeared over ten times on the Food Network, including the “Extreme Cake Challenge” where she won the grand prize. Confetti Cakes has also been featured in InStyle, Martha Stewart Weddings, Marie Claire, Seventeen, Elle, Vogue, Modern Bride, New York, BRIDES, Elegant Bride, and The Knot. And in 2008 was selected as one of America’s Top Ten Pastry Chef’s in Pastry Art and Design. Elisa’s first book, The Confetti Cakes Cookbook: Spectacular Cookies, Cakes and Cupcakes from New York City’s Famed Bakery, was released in Spring 2007 and is in its sixth printing, while her second book entitled Confetti Cakes for Kids was released in the Fall of 2008. In 2010, Elisa stopped making cakes for clients to focus her business on online tutorials, teaching, product design and special consulting projects. She’s busier than ever working with manufacturers, culinary schools, and television producers. In addition to her work in the kitchen she is an active board member and supporter of Icing Smiles, an organization that provides critically ill children with custom cakes. She also serves on the advisory council at The Institute of Culinary Education. In this episode we discuss:
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| 03 Apr 2023 | Cedric Barbaret: A Top Pastry Chef and Dessert Entrepreneur Living the Dream in Amish Country | 01:05:43 | |
Cedric Barbaret, owner, operator and chef of Bistro Barbaret & Bakery in Lancaster, PA, has over 25 years of professional pastry experience as well as a Master’s Degree in Pastry from Patisserie Chereau in France. His passion for pastry began at Patissrerie Barbaret, his family’s bakery near Lyon, France, where he served his apprenticeship. Chef Barberet’s experience includes a position as Executive Pastry Chef at Donald Trump’s prestigious Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida. While working in Palm Beach in 2005, he spent two months creating Donald Trump’s five-foot high, seven-tier Grand Marnier chiffon wedding cake. Barberet has also worked at the Las Vegas M Resort Casino & Spa with Executive Pastry Chef Jean Claude Canestrier. In 2009, Barberet joined the prestigious team at Philadelphia’s Le Bec-Fin as the Executive Pastry Chef and most recently served as the Executive Pastry Chef for Buddakan. Follow Chef Barbaret on Instagram at @cedricbarbaret or the business at @bistrobarbaretandbakery. In this episode we discuss:
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| 05 Mar 2024 | Mario Bacherini: Bringing Decades of Pastry and Chocolate Expertise to L’École Valrhona on the West Coast | 00:49:56 | |
Based in Los Angeles, California, Chef Mario Bacherini is the West Coast Pastry Chef of L’École Valrhona, where is he is in charge of conducting classes, demonstrations and workshops for professionals, providing one-on-one culinary consultations and bringing Valrhona’s expert touch to the West Coast. After graduating from culinary school in Florence, Italy, Chef Bacherini went on to do his apprenticeship as a chocolatier. He began working in Michelin-starred restaurants across Italy and France until he decided to settle in Perpignan, France, where he trained under Olivier Bajard (Meilleur Ouvrier de France). In 2008 he moved to Paris, where he worked at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée with French Pastry World Champion Christophe Michalak. Four years later, Bacherini left Paris for New York City, where he took on the role of Executive Pastry Chef at Nobu, managing three restaurants. While in New York, he also traveled the world to teach pastry masterclasses in various countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Italy and France, as well as the United States. In 2017, he moved to Los Angeles where he began his own consulting company, providing consulting for bakeries, pastry shops and restaurants, and later on had the opportunity to work side by side with one of the best pastry chefs in the world, Amaury Guichon, in his newly opened school in Las Vegas. Chef Bacherini continued to deliver his expertise across the United States and abroad until he got the call from Valrhona to join their North America team at the beginning of 2023. In this episode we discuss:
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| 15 Jul 2019 | Daniel Skurnick: Executive Pastry Chef of Buddakan & Le CouCou in NYC | 00:35:12 | |
In this episode, we talk with Executive Pastry Chef Daniel Skurnick. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, Daniel Skurnick spent a year in Thailand, living with a migratory hunter-gatherer tribe and learning their culture and cooking techniques. Once back in the U.S., he worked in the pastry departments at Gramercy Tavern, Bouley, and Jean-Georges in New York City and was executive pastry chef for both Morimoto NYC and Morimoto Waikiki. Today Skurnick serves as the Executive Pastry Chef of Buddakan and Le CouCou restaurants in New York. In the episode we discuss:
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| 26 Apr 2019 | Emily Luchetti: Her Career Highlights, Ingredient Usage, Pastry Trends & More | 00:37:02 | |
In this episode, we talk with Emily Luchetti, Chief Pastry Officer of Big Night Restaurant Group. Over the last few decades, Emily helped to define what great pastry in America means. After working the line at New York restaurants and Jeremiah Tower’s legendary Stars in San Francisco, she switched to the sweet side of the kitchen and didn’t look back. She has authored many books on the subject of pastry, appeared on numerous television programs, and has been awarded of such honors as the 2001 Women Chefs & Restaurateurs Golden Whisk Award, the 2003 Food Arts Magazine Silver Spoon Award, the 2004 James Beard Foundation award for Outstanding Pastry, and she was inducted into the James Beard Foundation Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America. In the episode we discuss:
This episode is sponsored by The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley Curate a complimentary custom sample pack at perfectpuree.com/pastryarts *Offer is complimentary for professional chefs and bakers only. | |||
| 01 Apr 2019 | Intro to Pastry Arts Magazine Podcast & Host Tish Boyle | 00:06:35 | |
In this short episode, we introduce you to Pastry Arts Magazine's new podcast and host Tish Boyle. We share Tish's background and her hand in evolving media for pastry and baking professionals and give some insight into the schedule and guests that will join us on our new podcast.
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| 05 Feb 2021 | Tish Boyle: The Process of Publishing Cookbooks | 00:41:41 | |
Tish Boyle is an editor, food writer and cookbook author with expertise in baking, desserts and chocolate. A graduate of Smith College and La Varenne Ecole de Cuisine, Tish has held a variety of positions in the food world, including chef on a luxury barge traveling the canals of France, pastry chef, caterer, food stylist and recipe developer. Tish has written several dessert and baking books including Chocolate Passion (Wiley, 2000), Diner Desserts (Chronicle Books, 2000), The Good Cookie (HMH, 2002), The Cake Book (HMH, 2006) and Flavorful (HMH, 2015). Co-writing credits include Payard Desserts (HMH, 2013) and the Grand Finales series of books. Currently she is the Managing Editor of Pastry Arts Magazine (pastryartsmag.com), host of the Pastry Arts Podcast, and co-founder of pastryathome.com. In this episode, hosted by Shawn Wenner, President and Editor-in-Chief of Pastry Arts magazine, we discuss:
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| 21 Jan 2020 | Florian Bellanger: From Fauchon to Food Network & Mastering Maracons | 01:01:09 | |
Florian Bellanger is a pastry chef and co-owner of Mad Mac Macarons, "the Authentic French Macarons and Madeleines." Mad Mac serves the retail, food service, and hospitality industries, and has been recognized as a leader in quality and innovation in the macaron industry. Before starting his own company, Bellanger was the Executive Pastry Chef at Fauchon, and oversaw 24 other pastry chefs at its Tea Salon flagship store in New York City. Chef Bellanger was named one of the 10 Best Pastry Chefs in America in 2003 and 2004 by Pastry Art & Design magazine. In 2000 and 2001, the James Beard Foundation acclaimed Bellanger's accomplishments with a nomination for "Outstanding Pastry Chef." He has been featured on many networks, including CNN, NBC, Food Network, and Martha Stewart Living, and served as a judge on the Food Network’s competition series Cupcake Wars. Chef Bellanger will also be a judge on the upcoming show Buddy vs. Duff, also on the Food Network. Bellanger is a member of City Harvest's Food Council, and spends his free time donating to charities such as C-CAP Careers Through Culinary Arts Program, CCAP, the Wolfgang Puck Charity and the Jean-Louis Palladin Foundation. In this episode you’ll learn about:
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| 04 Nov 2021 | Zoë François: The Life of a Multi-Talented Pastry Chef | 00:46:29 | |
Zoë François studied art at the University of Vermont while also founding a cookie company as a way to earn extra money. She then traveled throughout Europe, tasting pastries along the way, and later studied at the Culinary Institute of America in New York. Since then she has been a pastry chef at several Twin Cities restaurants and has worked repeatedly with Andrew Zimmern. Together with Jeff Hertzberg she wrote the book Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, which turned into a bestselling series. She created the Zoë Bakes website in order to share her passion for pastry. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, Graham, and two sons, her best creations yet! In this episode, you’ll learn:
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| 26 Oct 2019 | Kriss Harvey: Life of an Award-Winning Chocolatier | 00:42:57 | |
Named one of America’s Top 10 Pastry Chefs in 2017, Chef Kriss Harvey has worked in the pastry departments of some of the country’s finest establishments, including The Ritz Carlton in Washington, D.C., NoMi in the Park Hyatt Chicago and at Bartolotta Ristorante Di Mare at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas. Before coming to andSons Chocolatiers, Kriss was the Executive Pastry Chef at The Bazaar by José Andrés at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. Kriss trained under some of the world’s most highly regarded chefs. He began his career in the U.S. at the famed Cacao Barry Chocolate Academy near Philadelphia, spending time under the tutelage of Master Chocolatier Pascal Janvier. With a desire to fine-tune his knowledge in French pastry, Kriss moved to Paris where he studied with legendary pastry chefs Christophe Felder at the Hôtel de Crillon and MOF Emmanuel Ryon of École Gastronomique Bellouet Conseil. He staged under Spanish pastry chef Oriol Balaguer. He also studied with MOF chocolatier and candy maker Pierre Mirgalet. As a testament to his devotion to chocolate, Kriss has the chemical formula for theobromine tattooed on his right arm. In this episode, you’ll discover:
This episode is sponsored by: Savencia Cheese USA: Creator of the revolutionary new Smithfield Pourable Cream Cheese. Created for chefs, by chefs, the pourable cream cheese eliminates the need to heat, bring to room temperature or paddle and is made with all-natural ingredients, no additives or fillers and whips beautifully to save you time. It’s time to rethink cream cheese. Find out more at: https://savenciafoodserviceusa.com/ | |||
| 19 Oct 2022 | Romain Dufour: Master Baker and Problem Solver | 00:42:24 | |
Romain Dufour knew from an early age that he wanted to be a baker. He was inspired by his uncle who owned his own bakery in a small town near Bourges, France and Romain worked as an apprentice there for two years. Romain attended the Ecole de Boulangerie et de Patisserie de Paris, earning two diplomas in four years. For his second diploma, Romain was hired at the renowned Plaza Athenée Hotel in Paris, under the direction of Christophe Michalak, World Champion of Pastry. In 2016, Romain arrived in Chicago with a new position as the R&D Master Baker for Eurogerm KB, a French-American company specializing in dough conditioners, bread mixes and pastry mixes. In this role, he brings together his high-end baker training, extensive production experience and innate creativity to develop new, clean label recipes for an impressive list of notable clients within the dynamic food industry. In this episode we discuss:
Sponsored by Taste Europe, Butter of France French butter is churned longer to achieve 82% butter fat making it richer and creamier with a golden hue. For tips, tricks and recipes on how to use French Butter to romance the flavor of any cuisine visit www.tasteeurope.com. | |||
| 08 Dec 2021 | Richard Hawke: Delving into Vegan and Allergen-Free Baking & Pastry | 00:42:14 | |
Originally from Sydney, Australia, Richard Hawke discovered his love for pastry during an apprenticeship with a French pastry chef in his home city. Inspired by this experience, he traveled to Lyon, where he landed a job with Jérôme Langillier (Champion du Monde de Pâtisserie, 2009). Hawke continued to hone his pastry skills at various pâtisseries in the region, then took a position teaching at l’Ecole Nationale Supérieure de la Pâtisserie, the school founded by Yves Thuries and Alain Ducasse, where he deepened his knowledge in all aspects of his profession. Today, Richard teaches master classes at the finest pastry schools around the globe and works as a consultant for international clients. He specializes in allergen-free baking, and has just released his first book, ADAPT: A Unique Pastry Concept (ICEP Publishing, 2021), which features a collection of Hawke’s recipes, each presented in three different versions: gluten-free, vegan and lactose-free. Ingredients include both gram amounts and percentages to enable readers to understand and adapt the recipes easier. The book is written in English and French, and includes beautiful photographs of his elegant desserts. For more info, visit www.richardhawkepastry.com. In this episode we discuss:
Plus, find out more about the Pastry Arts Virtual Summit at www.pastrysummit.com. | |||
| 17 Jul 2023 | Elaine Boddy: A Conversation with the Sourdough Whisperer | 00:41:10 | |
Elaine Boddy is a sourdough baker, cookbook writer and teacher, but mostly a sourdough ‘simplifier’. The key focus of everything she does, and shares, is to show how truly simply sourdough can be made. She removes the complication and unnecessary steps, and often the fear, that can come with making sourdough. Elaine shows bakers all over the world how they can easily make their own healthy, tasty bread, week in, week out, in their home kitchens, to suit their lifestyle and timings. She has a website, Foodbod Sourdough, a YouTube channel and a new podcast, The Foodbod Pod. Website: https://foodbodsourdough.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elaine_foodbod/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foodbodsourdough YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/foodbodSourdough In this episode we discuss:
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| 15 Jun 2019 | Miro Uskokovic: The Rise to Executive Pastry Chef, His Evolution of Style & Thoughts on Sugar Alternatives | 00:37:45 | |
In this episode, we talk with Miro Uskokovic, the Executive Pastry Chef of Gramercy Tavern. Born and raised in Serbia, Chef Miro attended hospitality college, worked at a bakery in Indiana, then graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 2010. He completed his externship in the savory kitchen at Wallsé, Chef Kurt Gutenbrunner’s flagship restaurant, where he met Jean Georges Pastry Chef Johnny Iuzzini, who trained him and eventually brought him to Jean Georges as Pastry Cook. He moved up to Pastry Sous Chef, then Pastry Chef at Aldea, Chef George Mendes’ Flatiron restaurant, before landing at Gramercy Tavern in 2013. He was also the Opening Pastry Chef of Untitled from 2015 to 2017. Chef Miro’s contemporary American desserts are created out of a collection of personal memories and experiences, as well as international influence. In the episode we discuss:
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| 03 Oct 2024 | Francois Behuet: Executive Pastry Chef with a Passion for Chocolate | 00:43:20 | |
Francois Behuet is the Executive Pastry Chef of the Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles. Since 2022, Behuet has overseen pastry food & beverage outlets at both The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles and JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, which includes the signature Californian trattoria Savoca, Glance Lobby Bar, Illy Caffé, The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, in-room dining and Sendero, including three signature dining experiences (Corteza, Leña and The Agave Library). With extensive luxury hospitality experience and a deep understanding of the industry landscape, Behuet brings 20 years of pastry experience, most recently playing a pivotal role at Pendry West Hollywood with Chef Wolfgang Puck. There he worked alongside the team on creating the entire pastry program for the property’s three restaurants, developing a pastry boutique and overseeing the kitchen design. Behuet was a member of the USA Pastry Team that won the silver medal at the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie’s Americas Continental Selection in Santiago, Chile in 2022. The team went on to compete at the Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie in Lyon, France in 2023. In this episode we discuss:
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| 06 Dec 2023 | Philip Khoury: Raising the Bar on Plant-Based Desserts | 00:31:14 | |
Philip Khoury is the award-winning Head Pastry Chef at Harrods in London and the author of the newly released book A New Way to Bake: Re-imagined Recipes for Plant-Based Cakes, Bakes and Desserts (Hardie Grant, 2023). Chef Khoury started his career at Australia’s most awarded restaurant, Quay in Sidney, before becoming Adriano Zumbo’s head of R&D, launching hundreds of patisserie lines in his native Australia. After a number of years spent realizing the food industry’s unsustainable reliance on animal exploitation, he decided to begin tackling an area he had previously thought impossible: vegan pastry. He has launched a collection of plant-based and allergen-friendly patisserie at Harrods, as well as overseeing the production of their iconic made-in-house pastries and desserts. To learn more about Philip or to purchase his book, visit philipkhoury.com. In this episode we discuss:
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| 05 Dec 2019 | Nathaniel Reid: The Path to Becoming a Dessert Entrepreneur | 00:31:37 | |
Nathaniel Reid is the chef and owner of Nathaniel Reid Bakery in Kirkwood, Missouri. After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris with a Grand Diploma in Culinary and Pastry Arts, Chef Reid worked in top pastry kitchens around the world, including Michelin 3-star restaurant, Joël Robuchon, in Las Vegas and the AAA Five Diamond St. Regis hotel in California. In August 2016, his longtime dream to own his pastry shop became a reality with the opening of Nathaniel Reid Bakery. With his namesake brand, Reid takes thoughtful consideration into every detail of the guest experience. Each guest is greeted with a friendly, professional welcome as they are guided through his carefully curated menu of pastries and confections. From the twelve flavors of macarons to the spellbinding specialty cakes to the perfectly executed croissants and French pastries, each offering showcases Reid’s care for quality ingredients and expert technique. He built his bakery to be a place for the community and, in just a short amount of time, it has become just that – a community bakery led by a man with a superior talent and an even bigger heart. In this episode, you’ll discover:
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| 02 Nov 2022 | Lasheeda Perry: A Conversation with the Queen of Flavor | 00:35:04 | |
Lasheeda Perry is the pastry chef and owner of Queen of Flavor, a company that specializes in everything from revamping your dessert menu to helping you design and execute your dream dessert menu. Lasheeda has always had a passion for culinary arts, and luckily for the sweet-tooth everywhere, this love has materialized into a successful and rewarding career. Prior to creating Queen of Flavor, she received her culinary education from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI. Immediately after graduation, Lasheeda secured an entry level pastry cook position at Four Seasons Resort Dallas. Within five years of beginning her career, Lasheeda would hold the title of Executive Pastry Chef at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Bon Appetit Management Company LinkedIn. Throughout her culinary journey, Lasheeda has received numerous awards and accolades. In 2012, she won season two of Food Network Sweet Genius after proving her skills by overcoming tight time constraints, masterfully incorporating secret ingredients and accommodating larger-than-life requests. That same year, several of Lasheeda’s desserts landed on Philadelphia food critic Craig LaBan's coveted Four-Bell Finestlist. In 2018, she was a finalist on Food Network Best Baker in America, Season 2 where she was named the “Queen of Flavor”. Lasheeda is never the one to pass up a cool opportunity. Last November, she was presented with the chance to take on an iron chef, on Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay, and that she did! Queen of Flavor’s pastry services include, menu development, virtual baking classes, R&D development, interim pastry services, pop-ups, and more. In this episode we discuss:
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| 04 Aug 2020 | Karim Bourgi: Creativity, Inspiration, Garnishes & More | 00:26:49 | |
Born in Senegal of Lebanese parents, Karim Bourgi moved to Paris at the age of 16. After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu Paris in 2001, he began his career in Beirut at La Cigale, followed by Laduree Paris Champs Élysée, Makyan Traiteur, Goû Beirut, and Fauchon Paris in Dubai. Currently, he is the head pastry chef of Al Mana Group, and the regional development and creation chef for La Maison du Chocolat Paris. He believes that excellence is achieved by virtue of persistence and surrendering to true passion in pastry. In this episode we discuss:
Get your free 4-day pass to the Pastry Summit at www.pastrysummit.com! | |||
| 10 Aug 2023 | Jana Lai: Persevering and Winning at the Top Tier of the French Pastry Scene | 00:48:58 | |
Jana Lai is a pint-sized pastry chef with an insatiable appetite for success. With her determination and fierce competitive spirit, Jana has fought through the competition scene, recently taking home second place at the World Pastry Cup as the first female ever to join the French team. Hailing from Australia, Jana began her culinary journey under the guidance of notable chefs Maria Lantelme, Shaun Quade, and Pierre Roelofs. But the call (and smell) of the pastry capital of the world proved too strong to resist, and Jana followed her heart to France, where she continues to hone her craft with an unrelenting dedication to perfection. Today, Jana serves as a pastry chef instructor at the prestigious Ecole Bellouet Conseil, under the expert mentorship of Jean-Michel Perruchon, MOF. And with her fire still burning bright and her sights set even higher, Jana shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. In this episode we discuss:
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| 22 Sep 2020 | Dana Herbert: A Talk with “The King of Cakes” | 00:34:49 | |
Known as "The Sugar Daddy" and "King of Cakes," Dana Herbert is the Executive Pastry Chef and owner of Desserts by Dana in Newark, Delaware. Chef Dana began his culinary career when he received a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Delaware. He then went on to complete a second Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts and an additional Associates of Arts in Pastry. His first professional cooking job was at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston, working the savory side. But he longed to move to pastry, and he got his opportunity soon after, becoming the In-House Pastry Chef for the Philadelphia Downtown Marriott. In 2011 Chef Dana became well known after he won the first season of TLC’s Cake Boss: Next Great Baker. Chef Dana has appeared on countless television programs and has created cakes for some of the world’s biggest names, including Oprah Winfrey, Ice Cube and Jill Biden. For more info, visit www.dessertsbydana.com. In this episode you’ll learn:
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| 18 Feb 2025 | En-Ming Hsu: From Pastry Trailblazer to Successful Entrepreneur | 01:04:04 | |
World-renowned pastry chef En-Ming Hsu’s accomplishments are as numerous as they are impressive. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, En-Ming’s career began in the kitchens of the famed Lespinasse restaurant in New York City’s exclusive St. Regis Hotel and Patisserie Café Didier in Washington DC. From 1994 to 2004, En-Ming worked at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago Hotel, for most of that time as Executive Pastry Chef. Since then, she has been sharing her knowledge as an independent pastry chef and consultant. She has taught at leading culinary institutions worldwide, including King Arthur Baking Education Center and The French Pastry School. As winner of prestigious competitions, En-Ming is often invited to serve as a jury member for national and international pastry competitions. In 2001, En-Ming served as Team Captain of the first and only U.S. pastry team to take the gold medal at the Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie in Lyon, France. This bi-annual competition highlights the skills and gastronomic innovations of the world’s finest pastry chefs. She has returned to the Coupe du Monde to serve as President of the International Jury, Jury President and Manager for Team USA, and guest commentator. In 1997, En-Ming was named “Pastry Chef of the Year in America” for capturing the gold medal at the Eighth Annual U.S. Pastry Competition. Other awards include “Rising Star Chef of 1999” for the James Beard Foundation, one of the “Top 10 Pastry Chefs in America” by both Chocolatier and Pastry Art & Design magazines, “Best Pastry Chef in Chicago” by Chicago magazine, “Best Pastry Chef in Chicago” at Jean Banchet Chef’s Gala, “Distinguished Visiting Pastry Chef” by Johnson and Wales University, and “Lifetime Achievement Award” by Paris Gourmet. She was also recognized by Académie Culinaire de France as Dame de l’Année 2009. She received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Culinary Arts from Johnson and Wales University. In 2010, En-Ming was presented with the Amoretti World Pastry Team Championship “Pastry Chef of the Year” award. In 2022, En-Ming was the recipient of the Woman of Distinction Award (Manufacturing category) by the Southern Nevada chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners. In October 2021, En-Ming and her sister Yih-Ming formed Sip LLC to produce their luxurious Sip! Extraordinary Drinking Chocolate mix. Sip! is a rich, creamy beverage that may be served hot, chilled, or frozen. It is available online at sipextraordinary.com for retail and wholesale orders. Sip proudly partners with other small businesses to manufacture Sip!. En-Ming developed Sip! to be a multi-purpose product that can be transformed into irresistible treats including chocolate mousse, gelato-style frozen dessert, chocolate milkshake, and other delights. Sip’s mission is to support nonprofit organizations that feed hungry children. En-Ming’s work has been featured in So Good, Modern Baking, Art Culinaire, Food Arts, Gourmet, Chef’s Magazine, Pastry Art and Design, Pastry’s Best, and Shelter magazines. Her recipes have also been published in A Neoclassic View of Plated Desserts, A Modernist View of Plated Desserts, Exceptional Excursions, The Pastry Chef’s Apprentice, and Essentials of Nutrition for Chefs. Video classes are available on craftsy.com and her DVD Chocolate Pastries Made Simply at Home. En-Ming is a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier, and L’Academie Culinaire. For more information, visit sipextraordinary.com. In this episode we discuss:
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| 11 Feb 2020 | Charity George: The Sugar Sorceress behind Netflix’s Nailed It! | 00:39:31 | |
Chef Charity George – known as The Sugar Sorceress – is a pastry chef and cake artist in San Diego, CA. She specializes in chocolate and sugar art, with particular regard for wedding cakes, as well as specialty and extreme cakes. She has also specialized in baking and cooking for those with food allergies and sensitivities. Charity owns d’Zrt Cake Studio in La Mesa, CA. Charity is also on the Board of Directors for Icing Smiles, a non-profit organization that provides custom celebration cakes and other treats to families impacted by the critical illness of a child. Charity is the “secret chef” on the extremely popular Netflix show Nailed It! – she’s the pro who creates all of the cakes that the competitors then have to replicate. Charity has also been a judge at numerous cake shows and contests, and has taught sugar arts across the country to sold out workshops. In this episode, you’ll learn about:
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| 25 Sep 2019 | Clarice Lam: International Model Turned Decorated Pastry Chef | 00:26:00 | |
After more than 10 years as an international model, Chef Clarice Lam stepped off the runway and into New York City’s best kitchens donning chef’s whites. Using her access to the world’s hotspots as a stepping-stone, she pursued her education at Le Cordon Bleu in Italy and The French Culinary Institute in New York. Her travels through food and fashion capitals like Paris, London, New York City, and Los Angeles inspire her baking to this day. With experience at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery and Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Spice Market, she honed the skills to thrive in her second career. In 2012, Clarice launched The Baking Bean, an oven-to-door bakery specializing in all-natural desserts and confections based in Brooklyn, NY. Focusing on seasonality and using only the highest-quality ingredients from around the world, Chef Lam provides one-of-a-kind pastries and desserts, including Giant S’mores, Samoan Caramel Popcorn, Salted Caramel Rice Krispy Brownies, Strawberry Nutella Cookies, and much more. With original and pure flavor combinations that The New York Times calls “high-quality and handsome,” The Baking Bean can be found year-round in local pop-up markets and in various NYC restaurants, museums, and stores. In this episode, you’ll discover:
This episode is sponsored by: Savencia Cheese USA: Creator of the revolutionary new Smithfield Pourable Cream Cheese. Created for chefs, by chefs, the pourable cream cheese eliminates the need to heat, bring to room temperature or paddle and is made with all-natural ingredients, no additives or fillers and whips beautifully to save you time. It’s time to rethink cream cheese. Find out more at: https://savenciafoodserviceusa.com/foodservice/domestic-foodservice/pourable-cream-cheese.html
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| 11 Sep 2019 | Jacquy Pfeiffer: A Discussion with a Pastry Icon | 00:35:57 | |
Chef Pfeiffer’s exceptional career began with an apprenticeship in Alsace at the famous Jean Clauss Pâtisserie. Following his apprenticeship in Strasbourg, Pfeiffer went on to establish himself as a leading figure in the art of pastry working with some world-renowned families and establishments. Some of these include: the Royal Family in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; the Sultan of Brunei; the Hyatt Regency, Hong Kong; a prestigious pastry shop in Palo Alto, California; and both the Fairmont and Sheraton hotels in Chicago, Illinois. These experiences led Chef Pfeiffer to teach and consult for some of the most prominent properties and companies worldwide, such as the Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the Atlantis Hotel in the Bahamas, and the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas, Texas. In 1995, Pfeiffer, along with Sébastien Canonne, M.O.F., founded The French Pastry School, which is considered one of the leading pastry and baking institutions in the world. He is the author of the James Beard Award-winning cookbook, The Art of French Pastry, and has received numerous awards, including the French Legion of Honour Award, the highest honor awarded in France and the equivalent of knighthood. In this episode we discuss:
This episode is sponsored by: Savencia Cheese USA: Creator of the revolutionary new Smithfield Pourable Cream Cheese. Created for chefs, by chefs, the pourable cream cheese eliminates the need to heat, bring to room temperature or paddle and is made with all-natural ingredients, no additives or fillers and whips beautifully to save you time. It’s time to rethink cream cheese. Find out more at: https://savenciafoodserviceusa.com/foodservice/domestic-foodservice/pourable-cream-cheese.html
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| 09 Jun 2022 | Shaun Velez: Pastry Life at a Michelin Star Restaurant | 00:26:21 | |
Born and raised in the Bronx, Pastry Chef Shaun Velez graduated from the French Culinary Institute, now known as the Institute of Culinary Education, in 2008. Following his studies, he established his career in the award-winning kitchens of Chef Daniel Boulud, where he worked closely with his mentor and James Beard Award winning pastry chef Ghaya Oliveira at both Boulud Sud and Restaurant DANIEL. Before making his way back to New York, Shaun spent some time in Boston as the Executive Pastry Chef at Deuxave, chef-owner Chris Coombs’s contemporary French restaurant. There, he brought new skills, flavors and concepts to the restaurant’s pastry program and Boston’s overall dessert scene. In 2018, Shaun returned to the Daniel Boulud family, this time as the Executive Pastry Chef at Café Boulud. Two years later, Chef Daniel tapped Shaun for the Executive Pastry Chef position at his acclaimed restaurant DANIEL. As Pastry Chef at DANIEL, Shaun continues to hone his craft by employing innovative techniques to transform classic desserts into modern creations, working on stunning constructions with the very best ingredients he can find. In this episode we discuss:
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| 21 Dec 2019 | Lauren V. Haas: From the White House to Teaching the Next Gen of Pastry Pros | 00:33:15 | |
Lauren V. Haas is an Associate Professor for the International Baking and Pastry Institute at Johnson & Wales University. In addition to her role at Johnson & Wales, Lauren works with John E. Koerner & Co. as the U.S.A. technical advisor for 100% Chef and TouFoods, and is a member of the prestigious Cacao Barry Ambassador's Club. Prior to joining the faculty at Johnson & Wales University, Lauren honed her pastry skills at some of the country’s most esteemed establishments, including the residence at the White House, Albert Uster Imports, the Hotel du Pont, and the Inn at Little Washington. Lauren’s interest in sustainability led her to pursue a master’s in Sustainable Food Systems from Green Mountain College, and she also holds a bachelor of science in Baking & Pastry Arts from Johnson & Wales University. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including So Good: The Magazine of Haute Pâtisserie, American Cake Decorating, and Pastry Chef. In 2016, Dessert Professional Magazine named Lauren one of the Top 10 Pastry Chefs in America. Well versed in the foundations of classical pastry and emerging techniques and trends, Lauren’s passion is educating students and pastry professionals in the art and science of pastry. For more information, visit www.laurenvhaas.com. In this episode, you’ll learn about:
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| 30 Mar 2022 | Luis Amado: From Churros Cart to Chocolate Academy | 00:34:35 | |
Chef Amado began his foray into the culinary world at the age of 16, selling churros in the streets of Guadalajara, Mexico. As a young man he made the move to the U.S. to pursue an education in culinary arts. In 1992 he graduated from Grand Rapids Community College, and not long after, traveled to Belgium where he worked to develop his knowledge of classical European pastry and chocolate. He returned to U.S. in 1994 and worked in a variety of positions at private country clubs and fine dining restaurants throughout California, Indiana and Michigan. Since 2016 he has been directing the Baking and Pastry Arts Program at Lake Michigan College, where he develops curriculum, teaches classes and coaches students for national and international competitions. He owns the Luis Amado Chocolate Academy in Stevensville, Michigan, where he offers personalized and small group chocolate classes to students from around the globe. His work has been featured in numerous magazines including The ACF National Culinary Review, Revista Dulcypass and So Good Magazine. Chef Amado is very passionate about competitions and has captured more than 22 gold medals and 6 best-of-shows awards from competitions including the 1996 Culinary Olympics in Berlin, The 2000 National Dessert Competition, numerous ACF-approved Culinary Arts Salons, The Great Lakes Regional 1999-2003, and most recently the 2017 AUI Chocolate Cup in Washington, D.C. In this episode we discuss:
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| 11 Mar 2020 | Robert Wemischner: The Fundamentals of Pastry Techniques | 00:38:05 | |
Food writer, pastry chef and culinary educator, Robert Wemischner has always been intrigued by the flavor potential of ingredients, from turmeric to tea and from cumin to coffee. The author of four books, including The Dessert Architect (a book for professionals and serious amateurs alike about how to craft sensational multicomponent desserts), Wemischner began his career to great media acclaim in the food business in the early 70’s as the owner of a pioneering gourmet-to-go shop in Beverly Hills. He then went on to open a similar operation in Baltimore, and in the early 90’s, returned to LA and began teaching pastry and culinary arts in earnest. Drawing upon his exposure to classical cooking at a young age through informal apprenticeships to chefs in France, he has been imparting his knowledge to a diverse audience of students as a teacher of baking and pastry for the past 30 years at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College. He also does presentations on cooking with tea, baking, pastry and other food-related topics to professional organizations, and at tea festivals and conferences including the World Tea Expo and the LA International Tea Festival, among others. He has been a regular contributor to Pastry Arts Magazine, Pastry Chef and National Culinary Review magazines. He also writes a regular column for a preeminent tea blog Tching (tching.com), about the culinary uses of tea. In this episode:
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| 07 Nov 2023 | Yolanda Gampp: The ‘Queen of Cakes’ and Host of YouTube’s ‘How To Cake It’ | 00:27:57 | |
Affectionately known by her fans as the ‘Queen Of Cakes’, Yolanda Gampp is a self-taught cake artist with more than 24 years of experience and half a billion views on YouTube. With her quirky personality, obsession with organization and commitment to perfection, Gampp has shown the world that even the most unexpected items can be turned into cake. She entertains while she teaches, laughs at her own mistakes and is one of the most respected and celebrated celebrity cake artists in the world. She has been featured as a judge on “Crime Scene Kitchen”, “Cake Wars,” “Best Baker in America” and “Nailed It,” to name a few. She is also the author of two cake books and recently released first children’s book. Gampp is the co-founder of How To Cake It, a content commerce company inspiring a community of more than 14 million people to become better bakers through live classes, courses, and more. www.howtocakeit.com In this episode we discuss:
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| 11 Jul 2024 | Andy Chlebana C.M.P.C., C.C.A.: Teacher, Coach, TV Star | 00:43:29 | |
Upon completing an AAS in Culinary Arts from Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Illinois, Andy Chlebana attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park to study baking and pastry. He began his career working for the Four Seasons Chicago, focusing on fine-dining desserts. Chef Chlebana’s career has included positions at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island Grill Room, opening team of the Ritz-Carlton Washington D.C., and Pastry Chef/Corporate Account Manager at Albert Uster Imports, Inc. Chlebana has spent the past 18 years teaching baking and pastry at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Illinois, where he is now Pastry Chef/Professor. Most recently, Chlebana was the coach of Pastry Team USA, which competed at the Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie, and has completed revising the second edition of his book The Advanced Art of Baking and Pastry (Wiley, 2017), due out later this year. He resides in Plainfield, Illinois with his wife Heather and four children. In this episode we discuss:
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| 12 May 2019 | Jason Licker: Career Highlights, Lessons Learned & His Book "Lickerland" | 00:40:34 | |
In this episode, we talk with Pastry Chef Jason Licker as he walks through his career step-by-step and recalls the moments that shaped him professionally. Plus, the story behind his James Beard nominated book, Lickerland: Asian-Accented Desserts, and the process he followed for self-publishing. In the episode we discuss:
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| 16 Nov 2022 | Genevieve Ko: Succeeding in the World of Food Journalism | 00:45:44 | |
Genevieve Ko is a deputy editor and columnist of New York Times Cooking and the Food section, for which she also writes articles and develops recipes. She came to The Times from The Los Angeles Times, where she was cooking editor. She is the author of Better Baking (HMH, 2016) and has contributed to more than 20 cookbooks, as well as other food publications. Born and raised in East Los Angeles, she now lives in New York City and cooks dishes from everywhere. Check out Genevieve’s recipes for Thanksgiving pies here: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/dining/thanksgiving-pies-recipes.html In this episode we discuss:
Episode Sponsored by We know pastry chefs are busy. Ordering from Dobla and IRCA means not having to make everything from scratch, and instead spending time assembling final products for sale. It means getting more products in one place, which cuts down on the time spent browsing catalogs, placing orders and visiting with sales representatives. That means you spend less time focused on the business and more time on the thing you love: creating succulent sweets and savories that will keep your customers coming back for seconds. For more information, visit www.dobla.com.
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| 25 Nov 2024 | Mario Bacherini: Insights on the Industry from the West Coast Pastry Chef of L’École Valrhona | 00:39:56 | |
Based in Los Angeles, California, Chef Mario Bacherini is the West Coast Pastry Chef of L’École Valrhona, where is he conducts classes, demonstrations and workshops for professionals, providing one-on-one culinary consultations and bringing Valrhona’s expert touch to the West Coast. After graduating from culinary school in Florence, Italy, Chef Bacherini went on to do his apprenticeship as a chocolatier. He began working in Michelin-starred restaurants across Italy and France until he decided to settle in Perpignan, France, where he trained under Olivier Bajard (Meilleur Ouvrier de France). In 2008 he moved to Paris, where he worked at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée with French Pastry World Champion Christophe Michalak. Four years later, Bacherini left Paris for New York City, where he took on the role of Executive Pastry Chef at Nobu, managing three restaurants. While in New York, he also traveled the world to teach pastry masterclasses in various countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Italy and France, as well as the United States. In 2017, he moved to Los Angeles where he began his own consulting company, providing consulting for bakeries, pastry shops and restaurants, and later on had the opportunity to work side by side with one of the best pastry chefs in the world, Amaury Guichon, in his newly opened school in Las Vegas. Chef Bacherini continued to deliver his expertise across the United States and abroad until he got the call from Valrhona to join their North America team at the beginning of 2023. In this episode we discuss:
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| 19 May 2020 | Christopher Curtin: The Journey of a Master Chocolatier | 00:39:57 | |
Chris Curtin’s journey to the top of the chocolate world started more than three decades ago, in Madison, Wisconsin, where, following his success as a nationally ranked cross-country skier, he found his next challenge in the kitchen. He enrolled at the renowned New England Culinary Institute in Vermont, but soon left to forge an even more rigorous path of independent study—he was accepted to live as a pâtissier at the Compagnons du Devoir, the premier guild for artisan craftsmen in France, and subsequently became the first American to earn the title of Konditormeister, or Master Pastry Chef and Chocolatier, in Cologne, Germany. Immersed in the realm of the world’s top chocolate makers, Chris continued honing his knowledge under some of the world’s great chocolate makers in Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Japan—legendary producers like Confiserie Bachmann in Switzerland, Confiserie Coppeneur in Germany, Herman Van Dender and Pierre Marcolini in Belgium, and Poire in Japan—where he had the privilege of sharing in confectionery’s greatest secrets and techniques. Having mastered the art and techniques of Europe’s finest chocolates, he returned to the U.S. in 2004 and founded Éclat Chocolate, where his craftsmanship rivals that of the Old World’s most storied houses. In this episode, you’ll learn:
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| 21 Feb 2023 | Brad Kintzer: A Chief Chocolate Maker Talks About His Dream Job | 00:43:32 | |
Brad Kintzer is the Chief Chocolate Maker at TCHO Chocolate, based in Berkeley, California. Prior to joining TCHO, Brad was chocolate maker and product developer at U.S. bean-to-bar chocolate pioneer, Scharffen Berger, acquired by The Hershey Company in 2005. Previous to his 20 years of chocolate making, Brad studied tropical botany and environmental studies at the University of Vermont, and spent months working on cacao plantations throughout Latin America to better understand the origins of chocolate flavor. At TCHO since 2009, Brad and his team are focused on innovating in every aspect of chocolate making; from cocoa genetics, fermentation and roasting, to creating unique and tasty chocolate products for market. Brad volunteers on the board of the Fine Chocolate Industry Association (FCIA) and also the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund (HCP). In this episode we discuss:
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Dobla - IRCA We know pastry chefs are busy. Ordering from Dobla and IRCA means not having to make everything from scratch, and instead spending time assembling final products for sale. It means getting more products in one place, which cuts down on the time spent browsing catalogs, placing orders and visiting with sales representatives. That means you spend less time focused on the business and more time on the thing you love: creating succulent sweets and savories that will keep your customers coming back for seconds. For more information, visit www.dobla.com.
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| 04 May 2022 | Dee Frances: Lessons in Baking Science from a Cookbook Author, Obsessive Baker & Blogger | 00:38:44 | |
Dee Frances is the voice and creator behind the baking blog One Sarcastic Baker, where she shares sweet baking recipes and different information about baking and baking science. Working in retail bakeries and years of exploring and learning has given Dee the experience and knowledge to dive deep into the world of baking science and write her new book, Baking Science (April, 2022, Page Street Publishing), where she talks about the importance of science in the baking process and how we can use it to better our craft. In this episode we discuss:
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| 26 Aug 2022 | Michael Laiskonis: Teaching and Inspiring a New Generation of Pastry Chefs | 00:50:11 | |
Michael Laiskonis joined the Institute of Culinary Education in New York as Creative Director in 2012, fresh off of an eight-year tenure as Executive Pastry Chef at Le Bernardin. He has long been one of the industry's most creative and talented chefs, noted for helping Le Bernardin earn four stars from The New York Times and three Michelin stars. Laiskonis was also named among America's Top Ten Pastry Chefs by Pastry Art & Design in 2002 and 2003, and was Bon Appétit's Pastry Chef of the Year in 2004. Best known for his use of modern techniques to reinvent classic desserts, he was presented with the coveted James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef in 2007. Chef Laiskonis received the IACP's 2014 Culinary Professional of the Year Award, one of the most distinguished honors in the culinary field. In this episode you’ll learn:
Episode Sponsored by ASR Group Experts trust Domino and C&H Sugar brands because each powerful grain of their cane sugar delivers an impact. Proving that baking is all about what you put into it. Visit thebakingexperts.com for more insights. | |||
| 18 Mar 2021 | Rose Levy Beranbaum: Cookbook Publishing, Ingredients, Tips & More | 00:56:12 | |
Known as the ‘Diva of Desserts’, Rose Levy Beranbaum is the author of eleven cookbooks, including her best-selling book The Cake Bible (1988), which was inducted into the International Association of Culinary Professionals Culinary Classics. Her next book, The Cookie Bible, will be published in November of 2021. A luminary in the world of food writing, Rose was a Contributing Editor for over a decade to Food Arts Magazine where "Rose's Sugar Bible" (April 2000) received two prestigious awards: The Association of Food Journalists Award for the Best Food Feature in a Magazine and The Jacob's Creek World Food Award for Best Food Article. She is also a contributor to Food52, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Fine Cooking, Bride's, Reader's Digest, and Hemispheres. Rose has been inducted into the James Beard Foundation/D'Artagnon Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America. In this episode we discuss:
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| 19 Mar 2025 | Christophe Rull: An Executive Pastry Chef with a Flair for Showmanship | 01:06:47 | |
Christophe Rull boasts over 20 years of distinguished experience as a pastry chef. Born and raised in France, Chef Rull embarked on his culinary journey at the young age of 16 at the Michelin-starred restaurant Abbaye de St. Croix in the South of France. After completing a rigorous five-year apprenticeship, he honed his skills at renowned Michelin-starred establishments such as Le Richelieu and Les Roches Fleuries. In 2008, Chef Rull advanced his career as Chef de Partie at La Maison de Marc Veyrat, a prestigious three-Michelin-star restaurant, before joining the esteemed Pastry School ENSP as an Assistant Pastry Instructor. The following year, he played a key role in the opening of the Aria Las Vegas Hotel & Casino's pastry team, subsequently rising to the position of Assistant Executive Pastry Chef at MGM Grand Las Vegas. In 2016, his expertise earned him the role of Executive Pastry Chef at the luxury Park Hyatt Aviara, where he served with distinction for five years. After moving to the United States, Chef Rull participated in numerous professional competitions, achieving notable success. He was awarded Best Artistry in Showpiece and Best Chocolate Showpiece at Pastry Live in 2014 and 2015. In 2017, he won Season 7 of Food Network's Halloween Wars, and in 2018, he secured the title for Food Network's Holiday Wars. In 2021, Chef Rull was honored as the U.S. Chocolate Master. He then dedicated his time to preparing for the World Chocolate Master competition, where he achieved an impressive 5th place in Paris, competing against representatives from 18 nations. Most recently, Chef Rull has been featured on the popular Netflix reality TV show, Bake Squad. Since March 2023, he has served as the Executive Pastry Chef at Hotel Bel-Air, where he continues to showcase his passion and creativity in pastry. In his free time, you can find Christophe in his kitchen, sharing home-friendly recipes on his YouTube channel, Rull’s Kitchen, where his main goal is to inspire and educate aspiring bakers all over the world. In this episode, we discuss:
Episode Sponsored by Puratos Need ingredients ASAP? The MyPuratos webshop has your back 24/7 with what you need, when you need it. Order and reorder online instantly––no sales reps, no hassle. Plus, check out consumer insights and add recipe ingredients to your cart with a click. Right now, get 20% off your first order. Visit Puratos.us and click on MyPuratos to sign up and order today.
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| 07 Apr 2024 | Martin Sorge: Turning a Baking Obsession into a First-Place Win on The Great American Baking Show | 00:30:18 | |
Martin Sorge is a baker, recipe developer, and food writer based in Chicago, IL. A tried-and-true Midwestern native from Fort Wayne, IN, Martin’s passion for baking dates back to his early childhood when he accidentally set a microwave on fire while attempting to make a “biscuit” out of a few simple ingredients. Despite that setback, Martin forged ahead with his love of food to become a self-trained home baker, educating himself on the variety of baking techniques through cookbooks, blogs, friends, learning from mistakes, and lots of eating. He started by baking simple breads and cookies before incorporating more complex dishes to his repertoire, which quickly garnered interest from his friends, family, and community. Looking to share his love for baking with the world, Martin competed in his first-ever baking competition, The Great American Baking Show, and judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith named him the winner in 2023. Today, Martin takes his approachable Midwestern roots, his homebase of Chicago, and his not-too-serious (sometimes corny) personality and combines those with his nerdy technical knowledge to create accessible recipes for the home cook. When he’s not in the kitchen baking up a storm, Martin enjoys board games, jumping in lakes, exploring places near and far with his husband, and his newfound hobby—pottery. (Now he can make the cake and the cake plate.) Follow along with Martin’s baking adventures via Instagram @martinsorge, TikTok @martinsorge, Twitter @martinsorge, his website martinbakes.com, and his Substack newsletter: Great Bakes. In this episode we discuss:
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| 04 Sep 2023 | Rebecca Masson: From Parisian Pastry Dreams to Houston's Sweet Success | 00:44:39 | |
You may recognize Rebecca from her appearance on Top Chef: Just Desserts or the standout mention in Southern Living where her Houston-based, sweet tooth haven of a storefront, Fluff Bake Bar, was named one of the “South’s Best Bakeries.” The Wyoming native made her first “go big or go home” play back in 1999 when she secured a spot at the famed Le Cordon Bleu school in Paris, and soon after, a coveted internship at the landmark Le Bristol hotel. There, under the tutelage of Pastry Chef Gilles Marchal, she got a taste of Michelin-starred kitchens. After graduating, she worked her way through many famed New York City kitchens, eventually becoming head pastry chef at The Red Cat with Executive Chef Jimmy Bradley. After years of work in the Big Apple, Rebecca pivoted to Texas just as Houston’s culinary scene was starting to heat up. Masson accepted an invitation from Executive Chef Ryan Pera, now chef-owner of Coltivare and Revival Market, to oversee pastry for *17 Restaurant and the Sam Houston Hotel. She quickly generated a cult following in the 713, earning a nickname as the city’s “Sugar Fairy”. My Table Magazine designated her Best Pastry Chef, the first of many local honors, which led to positions with Houston-based and nationally noted chefs and restaurateurs ranging from Charles Clark to Chris Shepherd, as well as a role with HEB Central Market, before stepping out on her own with Fluff Bake Bar in 2011. Masson moved Fluff to its current, larger location in the Heights neighborhood in 2020 and her pastries and confections have received notable coverage in Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Texas Monthly, Houston Chronicle, Culture Map, Saveur and TimeOut, among many others. In this episode we discuss:
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| 21 Aug 2024 | Stéphane Chéramy: Inspiring Excellence in Pastry | 00:36:31 | |
Chef Stéphane Chéramy is currently the Executive Pastry Chef at The Ritz-Carlton & JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, a role he has held since 2006. In this capacity, Chef Chéramy has led the pastry team at this AAA 5-Diamond, Michelin-award-winning resort, managing various aspects of the pastry and bakery operations. Chef Chéramy is also the President of Club Pastry World Cup Team USA, a member of the Académie Culinaire de France and the James Beard Foundation. From 2006 to 2012, Chef Chéramy was the Chairman of the Ritz-Carlton Pastry Advisory Board - Global. Prior to his tenure in Orlando, Chef Chéramy held several notable positions, including Executive Pastry Chef and preopening team member at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, and Assistant Pastry Chef at The Ritz-Carlton Naples. He also served as an Assistant Pastry Chef and member of the opening team at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. Before coming to the United States, Chef Cheramy worked in a number of restaurants and patisseries in the south of France. He has judged multiple competitions including the United States tryouts for the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie, US Pastry Chef of the Year, and others. Chef Chéramy won the gold medal at the National Plated Dessert Competition (USA), and multiple silver medals include one at the National Chocolate Competition in France. Club Coupe du Monde Team USA is a leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is dedicated to promoting transmission, exploration, vision and advancement of both the artistic and scientific realms of the Pastry Arts. The Club seeks, recognizes and support America’s best pastry chefs to represent the United States in the Pastry World Cup. With 50 participating countries, this biannual event is considered to be the most prestigious pastry competition in the world. In this episode we discuss: • How Stéphane first became hooked on pastry | |||
| 08 Mar 2023 | Karen Krasne: A Pastry Chef and Entrepreneur Talks About Her Career of Extraordinary Desserts | 00:31:16 | |
Karen Krasne is the owner and Executive Pastry Chef of Extraordinary Desserts and the author of Extraordinary Cakes: Recipes for Bold and Sophisticated Desserts, which is in its third printing. Once called the “Queen of Cakes” by Gourmet magazine, Karen brings a fresh and contemporary sensibility to special occasion cakes. What makes her cakes showstoppers are their unexpected flavor combinations and vibrant touches using fresh fruit and real flowers, which add flair without being fussy. Karen’s cakes have graced the cover of Bon Appetit, and Forbes recognized her as one of the country’s ten best pastry chefs. Karen has been featured in The New York Times, Sunset, and The Los Angeles Times, among other national and international publications. Karen is an industry veteran having been in the industry for over 30 years. She studied pastry making at the Cordon Bleu and returns to Paris, France each year to train with the masters at LeNotre and Bellouet Conseil. In this episode we discuss:
Episode Sponsored by Dobla - IRCA We know pastry chefs are busy. Ordering from Dobla and IRCA means not having to make everything from scratch, and instead spending time assembling final products for sale. It means getting more products in one place, which cuts down on the time spent browsing catalogs, placing orders and visiting with sales representatives. That means you spend less time focused on the business and more time on the thing you love: creating succulent sweets and savories that will keep your customers coming back for seconds. For more information, visit www.dobla.com. | |||
| 23 Jan 2023 | Cheryl Wakerhauser: A Conversation with a Successful Pastry Entrepreneur | 00:27:55 | |
Pastry chef, entrepreneur and bon vivant, Cheryl Wakerhauser, sees every day as a chance to learn something new and contribute something else. After a short-lived career studying to be an astronaut, Cheryl received a degree in pastry arts from Vancouver’s Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts and then headed straight to Southern France to further train at the prestigious pâtisserie of MOF Philippe URRACA. Her eccentric dessert restaurant, Pix Pâtisserie, was born in Portland, Oregon in 2002, where adventurous guests could enjoy bold flavored sweet treats paired with a Belgian ale late into the night. Bar Vivant was added to the space in 2012, bringing a savory menu of San Sebastián inspired tapas to pair with the ever growing, award-winning beverage selection, showcasing both champagne and sherry wines. The pandemic inspired a new business model – vending. The Pix-O-Matic debuted in 2020 selling the same fine French pâtisserie that was served in the restaurant, but in a 24-hour contactless vending machine. Her techniques, flavor combinations and whimsical design (along with a few parlor tricks!) can be discovered in her acutely instructional cookbooks, Modern French Pastry and Petite Pâtisserie, which have received accolades by France’s two most prestigious professional cooking trade journals, Thuriès Gastonomie and Le Journal du Pâtissier. She also teaches food and wine master classes, where students can learn how to make a croquembouche, perfect their macarons or explore the different styles of sherry wine. In this episode we discuss:
Episode Sponsored by Dobla - IRCA We know pastry chefs are busy. Ordering from Dobla and IRCA means not having to make everything from scratch, and instead spending time assembling final products for sale. It means getting more products in one place, which cuts down on the time spent browsing catalogs, placing orders and visiting with sales representatives. That means you spend less time focused on the business and more time on the thing you love: creating succulent sweets and savories that will keep your customers coming back for seconds. For more information, visit www.dobla.com.
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| 10 Jan 2024 | Gonzo Jimenez: Perfecting the Art of All-or-Nothing in Chocolate and in Life | 00:39:48 | |
Chef Gonzo Jimenez was born in Northern Argentina and raised in a Spanish household surrounded by good food and long family meals. At the age of 17, he started working in restaurants and fell in love with the culinary world. He enrolled in pastry and culinary school in Buenos Aires. After completing his studies, he traveled around the country working for five-star hotels and celebrity chefs. From 2009 to 2013, Chef Gonzo worked for large hotels in the United States, including the St. Julien in Boulder, CO, and The Hyatt Corporation in New Orleans and New York. Most notable amongst his various accomplishments throughout this period was the launch of his personal line of chocolates, providing different hotels throughout Manhattan, NY with high-end confections. In 2013, he moved back to South America to work at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Santiago de Chile. Soon after he accepted a highly coveted position with Barry Callebaut as a Corporate Chef for the South American Region and Director of the Chocolate Academy in Chile. Chef Gonzo is República del Cacao’s Corporate Pastry Chef for the United States and North America. He travels North America representing the brand by teaching classes, giving demos, and providing technical assistance to all its customers. Visit Gonzo’s Instagram page at @chef.gonzo. In this episode, we discuss:
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| 13 May 2024 | Amy Guittard: Unwrapping the Secrets of America’s Premier Chocolate Company | 00:33:51 | |
Amy Guittard, Chief Marketing Officer at Guittard Chocolate Company, is the great-great-granddaughter of Guittard's founder. As the fifth-generation of the family business her great-great-grandfather started in 1868, Amy has an innate passion for cocoa and chocolate. In addition to leading Guittard's marketing department and spearheading the development of the brand, Amy’s involvement at Guittard also includes sourcing and sustainability, serving on several committees for the World Cocoa Foundation, and traveling to origin to meet with farmers, buyers, and traders. She continues Guittard’s long-standing tradition of collaborating on the ground with those closest to the source. In this episode, we discuss:
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| 20 Jan 2025 | Rose Levy Beranbaum: Baking icon and author of the newly revised The Cake Bible | 00:47:39 | |
Rose Levy Beranbaum is an internationally known food and baking expert whose books have been translated into Mandarin Chinese, Czech, Russian, and Spanish. She has been called the “diva of desserts,” “the most meticulous cook who ever lived,” and a “legendary baker.” She has published thirteen books, many of them award winners, including The Cake Bible (IACP’s Cookbook of the Year and an IACP Cookbook Hall of Fame book), Rose’s Heavenly Cakes (IACP’s Cookbook of the Year), and Rose’s Christmas Cookies (winner of the James Beard Award). Rose has mentored many aspiring bakers, has written for all the major food magazines, and had a long-running PBS Show called Baking Magic with Rose. She is also a designer of equipment for baking and cooking. Her popular blog, Real Baking with Rose, has created an international community of bakers. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Woody Wolston. In this episode, we discuss:
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| 24 Oct 2023 | Adam Thomas: An Untempered Approach to Pastry and Chocolate | 00:38:29 | |
After over 20 years of making sweets in celebrated kitchens all over the world, Chef Adam Thomas launched his own brand, Thomas Craft Confections, in Brenham, TX. Adam began his professional journey working at a San Diego bakery at age 18 with Alsatian master baker Pascal Zindel, and it was there that he realized that confectionary arts was his calling. During a successful apprenticeship at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Adam connected with long-time mentor, Jean-Francois “Jeff” Lehuede. While still working at the Ritz-Carlton, Adam took on a second role at the St Regis Monarch Beach Resort to learn from pastry chef Stéphan Tréand, MOF. After taking the role of Head Pastry Chef at the Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey, Adam was sent to help open other Ritz-Carlton hotels in Abaco Island, Bahamas, and Denver, Colorado. From there, Adam was sent to Enniskerry Ireland to assist with another opening at the Ritz Carlton Powerscourt. Then it was chocolate competitions in Cologne, Germany, and Madrid, Spain and learning chocolate science in T’Hain l’Hermitage, France and Schwyz, Switzerland. Adam went on to Executive Pastry Chef residencies at Capella Singapore, The Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills, and at the longest running 5-star resort in the country, The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs. It was in Colorado Adam was able to sink his teeth into the baking and pastry program and make it one of the very best in the country. Adam now owns and operates Thomas Craft Confections in Brenham, Texas. In this episode we discuss:
Episode Sponsored by We know the level of expertise required to succeed in pastry. At Guittard, our family has been perfecting our craft for five generations. We source premium cacao beans from all over the world to offer a variety of flavor profiles and meet any application need. Now these chocolates are available in an easy to use 3 kilo bag. At Guittard, we focus on the chocolate details so you can focus on your craft. Visit www.Guittard.com to learn more.
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| 16 May 2023 | Kelly Nam: A Pastry Superstar Talks About Her Career Trials and Triumphs | 00:34:20 | |
A certified pastry star, Kelly Nam is the Executive Pastry Chef and Partner at Joomak Banjum restaurant in New York City. She began her career as a pastry cook at Radius in Boston, and then went on to hone her skills at prestigious restaurants including L’Espalier in Boston and Nobu 57, Gordon Ramsay at The London Hotel, The Modern and Electric Lemon in New York City. She also served as Executive Pastry Chef at Frenchie in Paris. Last year she was named 2022 Pastry Chef of the Year by the Michelin Guide NY. Follow Kelly on Instagram at @shell.bugi or @joomakbanjum. In this episode we discuss:
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| 06 Feb 2023 | Josh Allen: The Business of Bread | 00:35:17 | |
Josh Allen is the Founder of Companion Baking. Born and raised in St. Louis, MO, Allen was immersed in the food and baking industry from an early age. His great-grandfather founded Allen Foods, a well-known broadline food distributor with a large customer base across the Midwest. Allen spent much of his childhood delivering groceries to various foodservice operations, cleaning the freezers and sweeping the trucks for his family’s business. Today, Companion’s award-winning bread is served in more than 400 restaurants, grocery stores, and businesses around the Midwest and across the country. Allen credits his success to listening and nimbly adapting to his customers’ wants and needs. In addition to their baking operations, Companion has two cafes in the St. Louis area and has expanded to offer a small line of pastries. In this episode we discuss:
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| 15 Dec 2020 | Ed and Natasha Tatton: On Going Vegan & Operating a Vegan Bakery | 00:49:10 | |
Originally from Kent, England, Ed Tatton has worked in fine dining kitchens around the world and has been making sourdough since 2008. Ed and his wife Natasha moved to Canada in 2013 to snowboard for a season, and both worked in hospitality, Ed working at farm-to-table restaurant Alta Bistro in Whistler, BC. While taking some shoulder-season leave and working on Vancouver Island farms in the summer of 2014, Ed started a sourdough culture that he took with him back to Alta Bistro and implemented a bread program for the restaurant. In 2016, Ed rented the bistro’s kitchen once a week to make bread for his friends, who subsequently told their friends, and before long demand had increased to a point where Ed had outgrown the equipment. That’s when Ed and Natasha decided to open BReD, a 100% plant-based organic sourdough bread shop in Creekside, Whistler. As committed vegans, it was important for Ed and Natasha to bring that into their business. BReD sells loaves for pick-up in-store and a selection of vegan baked goods. In this episode we discuss:
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| 07 Sep 2022 | Crystal Bonnet: Mastering the Art of Raw Desserts | 00:37:01 | |
As a graduate of the plant-based and raw food nutrition programs at Matthew Kenney Culinary Academy and the Pure Joy Academy, Crystal Bonnet has worked hard to learn the importance of the culinary aspect and nutritional elements of living foods. “With knowledge, anything is possible!” she emphasizes, and these five words inspire and guide her to create beautiful, innovative raw food and desserts and share her knowledge with those seeking to learn more about raw food and desserts. Her work within the plant-based culinary industry has led her on many adventures, including the development of unique plant-based menus for new restaurants. She launched her Crystal Dawn Culinary courses, easy to follow and comprehensive classes that allow Chef Crystal to share with her students so that they will have as much knowledge as necessary to understand raw foods and their health benefits. Visit her website at www.crystaldawnculinary.com, or follow her on Instagram at @crystal_dawn_culinary. In this episode we discuss:
Episode Sponsored by The Perfect Purée of Napa ValleyGet complimentary samples of The Perfect Purée to experience flavor first-hand delivered directly to your business. Samples are available to foodservice professionals in the United States to sample the robust flavor line-up of fruit purees, concentrates, zests and blends. Visit www.perfectpuree.com/pastryarts to request your samples now. | |||
| 25 Oct 2020 | David Vidal: From Savory to Pastry, Competitions, Master Classes & Finding Balance | 00:26:46 | |
David Vidal was born in Canada, but moved to Malta with this family at the age of 12. His uncle owned a pastry shop there, and the young David worked at the shop after school during the week. He decided to go to culinary school in Malta at the Institute of Tourism Studies and later set out to become a savory chef. His education led him to London where he honed his skills cooking in hotels and restaurants throughout Europe. He and his wife decided to move to his wife’s hometown on the west coast of Sweden, Strömstad, where he became chef at a harborside restaurant at the age of 25. He eventually moved to the Laholmen Hotel in Strömstad, where he currently works as Sous Chef. About five years ago, Vidal began doing pastry again, and posting some of his work on Instagram. The posts of his desserts were so inspirational, that Vidal’s following increased exponentially – today he has over 400,000 followers. Follow him there at @Vidal31. In this episode we discuss:
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| 02 Jul 2020 | Jenny McCoy: From Chicago’s Top Restaurants to Cookbooks & Canelés | 00:52:15 | |
After attending the Baking and Pastry Program at Chicago’s Kendall College, Jenny McCoy landed positions in a variety of Chicago’s top restaurants, including Charlie Trotter’s, Blackbird, Gordon and Bittersweet Bakery. It was in these kitchens where Jenny learned to refine her palate and develop her talent for composing seasonal desserts. Following her formative experiences in fine dining, Jenny took a brief hiatus from professional baking to travel and complete a BA in Food Writing at DePaul University. When Jenny returned to the pastry kitchen, she oversaw three restaurant pastry departments for Emeril Lagasse, as well as contribute weekly to the Cooking Blog at Emerils.com. While working at Emeril's Delmonico, Jenny was a nominee for the PastryScoop.com Best Dessert Menu Award in 2006. It wasn’t long, however, before she felt the pull of New York City’s vibrant culinary scene. In New York, she headed the pastry departments of top restaurant including Marc Forgione, A Voce and Tom Colicchio’s Craft, which earned three stars from The New York Times during her tenure. Jenny was also a pastry instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York from 2010 to 1018, and is the author of Desserts for Every Season (Rizzoli, 2013) and Modern Eclairs (HMH, 2016). Jenny’s newest venture is Recette, a bakery that sells handmade pastries such as French canelés at farmers’ markets and occasional pop-ups in Chicago. In this episode you’ll learn about:
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