From August 3rd through August 5th, Pastry Live hosted the second annual Pastry Live Weekend. Produced by veteran chef Paul Bodrogi, each day this year featured gripping competitions with Friday and Saturday including seminars taught by the industry’s leading talents.
On Friday morning, Michael Joy and Chef Jim Mullaney kicked off the weekend’s seminars with their demonstration on mold making and food casting techniques. Their class highlighted the art behind crafting silicone molds and followed through with the many uses these molds can have within the kitchen. That same afternoon, Chef Susan Notter and Karen Portaleo once more delighted the crowd with their combined talents, transforming modeling chocolate and sugar into a stunning under the sea display. On Saturday, Chefs Andy Chlebana and Stephen Durfee shared with attendees, not only their competition experience and knowledge, but delicious time-saving recipes as well. Closing out the weekend’s seminars, Chef Michael Laiskonis revealed insights on the numerous methods for adding modern flavor to classic desserts through his Rose-Mango Religieuse creation.
Over the weekend, seasoned professionals and new comers alike contended in Pastry Live’s competitions. In the Student Chocolate Challenge, students represented their schools for prizes and recognition with the winning showpiece going to Rebecca Schappell of the Pennsylvania School of Culinary Arts. While culinary students from across the country tempered chocolate and built showpieces, cake artists in the Art of Cake recreated works of art from fondant and icing. Each cake created embodied their respective art inspirations beautifully, but the winning design was Dawn Joy Stoika’s of Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.
This year’s newest competition, the Signature Plated Dessert, featured some of the top pastry chefs in the nation. Competitors had three hours in which to prepare their “signature” dessert, each producing truly delicious results. Although a very close race, Chef James Satterwhite of Charlotte Country Club took first place with his “Almond Apricot Harmony” dessert.
In the Chocolatier of the Year, ten chocolate artisans presented some of the country’s highest-quality, handcrafted chocolates. Each vied for the prestigious title of Chocolatier of the Year, but it was Jerome Jacob of Bellagio Resort Hotel and Casino who claimed the ultimate award. Additionally, Chef Melissa Coppel of Jean-Marie Auboine Chocolates was the top pick for the People’s Choice Award, as her chocolates received an overwhelming number of votes from the audience.
Creative boundaries were pushed in the National Showpiece Championship. While many extraordinary showpiece designs were composed, Chefs Daniel Keadle and Craig Chamberlain were named this year’s National Showpiece Champions. Their showpiece titled "Quetzalcoatlus," was also awarded Best Chocolate Showpiece by the judges. Best Sugar Showpiece and the People’s Choice Award went to Chefs Oscar Ortega and Alejandro Lechuga, while Chefs Joshua Cain and Sheldon Millett were chosen among their fellow competitors for the Competitor’s Choice Award. Best Artistry, a new award category for artistic excellence, was bestowed to Chefs Gonzalo Jimenez and David Lewis for their steampunk inspired chocolate showpiece.
With the close of yet another successful event, plans are already underway for next year. Details and dates for Pastry Live 2013 will soon be released!
For more about Pastry Live, please contact Event Producer Paul Bodrogi at chef@pastrylive.com or 678.881.9490. Further information is also available online at www.pastrylive.com.
Source: Pastry Live