Sweet Deal

Day 54

One of the coolest things about culinary school, in my opinion, is the caliber of people that are brought in to conduct demos. Whether you're into baking, molecular gastronomy, sustainability or mixology, there's somebody for everyone.

Even though I'm in the classic culinary arts program, I find most demos entertaining. I love learning new techniques and familiarizing myself with a category about which I know nothing.

Today, I was fortunate to watch Mr. Chocolate himself—Chef Jacques Torres—in action. He showed the audience how he makes sweets other than his famous chocolates, such as shortbread cookies, apple tarts and beignets.

Chef Torres is a riot. He's entertaining (he repeatedly sang a riff from Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" as he was working), but he's also a master at pastry. He doesn't come across as pompous like other prominent chefs I've met, even though he was the youngest to acquire the Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Pastry Chef of France), was a James Beard Pastry Chef of the Year, and had his own show on Food Network. It's always nice to see that genuine people still exist despite overwhelming success.

There's nothing worse than when somebody sweet turns sour.