Works Of Art

If you are in the Pastry Field and live on planet earth then you probably have heard of Ewald Notter. Ewald is an amazing teacher, artist and a very nice person. From the moment you enter the school you are immersed into Ewalds world of sugar and chocolate sculptures. I believe that he could open his own museum with his beautiful works of art. Recently I was able to fill in as an instructor in one of the classes at his new school http://www.notterschool.com/. There were students from all over the world. Each student was fully engaged in learning pastries. If you are in Orlando and love the art of pastry then I highly recommend that you visit this magnificent school!

Zehnders of Frankenmuth Michigan!

Everybody has to start somewhere. I started here at Zehnders of Frankenmuth Michigan! This place is amazing. I loved working there! It was a great place to build a foundation. The town of Frankenmuth is so beautiful. It is such a great place to visit. I am very proud of my roots in Michigan. There are many places to see.

My first quest here was to make a perfect croissant. Secondly I had to perfect the "Black Forest" torte. I am still very particular about my "Black Forest" cakes!

http://zehnders.com

Taste Panel For Job Interview

If you are going to apply for a position as pastry chef or even an assistant pastry chef position you better have a plan for your taste panel! When I do a taste panel; I envision that I am going to create desserts for very special guests. You will probably be asked to create a show piece, an amenity, a plated dessert and a whole cake. You have to be concious of time and the fact that not all ovens work the same. Bring all your own tools as possible. Allow time to talk briefly with the staff. Just do what you do best!

This is one of my favorite desserts! A graham cracker crust spread with a raspberry marmalade, topped with layers of flourless, peanutbutter ganache, milk chocolate mousse and toasted raspberry meringue! Yum! This particuliar presentation would be used in a buffet.

Orange Smore

I liked the texture and taste combination of this orange smore. Grahm cracker crust,chocolate flourless topped with a orange marshmallow and then burnt. The cookie is grahm cracker and the sauce is actually a raspberry foam.

White Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake w/ Pistachio Tuile

This White chocolate cheesecake has a white chocolate gran marnier truffle center. The pistachio tuile adds another layer of visual stimulation. This dessert was avery easy to plate up and was designed for a busy restaurant where the waitstaff was plating desserts. I always try to make plating as visual appealing as possible even if the waitstaff is plating the dessert.

Favorite Ingredient

What is my favorite dessert? So many people ask me that! Well this is what I say. I don't have a favorite dessert. What I do have though is a favorite ingredient. You can't buy it, but you can surely taste it. Desserts always taste better when there is passion put into making it. Being a pastry chef is all about love. Your art is a part of many celebrations. When I go out with my family to dinner I like to order more desserts than there is people at the table. To see all the desserts on the table is so much fun! I encourage everyone to sample each others desserts. Have you ever gone out to a fancy restaraunt and just order desserts? Maybe a glass of wine to go with it? Try it! Just remember to order more desserts than people at the table.........

Soprano

This was a Tira Misu for Tony Soprano! I knew if it was not good it might be the last Tira Misu I ever make!

Mother's Day

This was a chocolate center piece for Mothers day. The body was cast by using a plastic maniquin mold. I first lined the mold with gelatin hearts. Then I brushed it with tempered chocolate. I love working with chocolate!

This is my wife and daughter. They were visiting her family in Sydney Australia. They were gone for two weeks, but it seemed much longer than that. Next time I will go with them!

Ginger Bread Houses

Here I am, making Gingerbread houses on channel 6 "South Florida Today"! The blonde one in the middle (Kelly Craig) was so so funny. Off camera she told a joke that made me blush! This was live. on the outside I was calm, but acually I was so nervous. I have done quite of few live shows. Over all I do like the excitment of live TV!

Big Cake For Big Man!

This Cake was for Shaq's 35th BDay. It was a $500,000 party thrown compliments of the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood Florida. The candles lit up like road flares! Shaq stated that it was a good thing that he didn't have hair like Michael Jackson or his "s--t" would have been burnt off!

18th Bday Cake

18th Birthday Cake for a girl member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. When the Seminole Tribe throws a party they spare no expense!

Eat Your Creations!