A few days ago, I got a nice email from Pix Patisserie owner, Cheryl Wakerhauser (who goes by Pix, hence the bakery’s name) after I published my post on Pix.  Her email included yet another connection in my food-obsessed life! 

Chocolate sculpting seen on Kings of Pastry. Source: Phoenix New Times

I had asked her which chef has inspired her.  “Chef Jerome, who was my instructor at culinary school in Canada 12 years ago,” Pix replied. “He was French and would talk about working in France.  One day I said, “I want to work in France!” He took me seriously and arranged a stage with Philippe Urraca (Meilleur Ouvrier de France). It is there I really started to understand what French Patisserie was. You can now see M. Urraca as the head judge in the documentary film Kings of Pastry.”I had just watched that movie!  Kings of Pastry follows 16 French pastry chefs who are competing in the Pastrymaking & Candymaking section of the Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Craftsmen in France) competition, which is held every four years.  In the three long and intense days of competition, they prepare six-foot sugar sculptures, elaborate pastries, and decadent cakes. It is super interesting and I definitely recommend it for foodies like me! Continue Reading...