Monday, March 22, 2010

And the Nominees are...


You might be saying to yourself, "Wait a second. Isn't the award show season over?" Yes, don't worry. No more feeling obligated to watch 3-hour long award shows with few redeeming moments just so you can feel in touch with the rest of the world the next day, or perhaps just to see what the stars are wearing, who similarly turn out few redeeming outfits.


So take heart my sassy readers, the nominees I herald are none other then the top names of the food world who are competing for the coveted James Beard Foundation Awards. Covering all aspects of the industry- from chefs and restaurants to food journalism to restaurant architecture and more- the James Bear Foundation Awards offer one of the highest honors food and beverage professionals in the US can receive.  And since it is SWEET Lady Sass, I will focus on the only two SWEET categories 1. Outstanding Pastry Chef 2. Baking and Dessert Books.



Outstanding Pastry Chef
Since there are none in the LA area, I will provide descriptions and pictures of some of their delicious desserts so we can dream and drool.


*Amanda Cook at CityZen in Washington D.C.


Mont Blanc Souffle: Caramelized Chestnut Souffle with Valrhona Chocolate Ganache and Gianduja Ice Cream
  
*Michelle Gayer at Salty Tart Bakery in Minneapolis
  
Strawberry-Rhubarb Tart

*Kamel Guechida at Joel Robuchon in Las Vegas

Le Chocolat: Vanilla Ice Cream Rolled in Finely Crushed Oreo Topped with a Thin Disk of Milk Chocolate Dotted with Fruity Blobs. Underneath, Chocolate Mousse with Orbs of Dark Chocolate Crisps. Gasp! What a mouthful! 

*Nicole Plue at Redd in Yountville, CA

Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Gianduja with Peanut Honeycomb Parfait

*Mindy Segal at Mindy's HotChocolate in Chicago





Chocolate #1: Warm Chocolate Souffle Tart, Salted Carmel Ice Cream and Housemade Pretzel

Baking and Dessert Books


*Baking
  by James Peterson

Over 300 recipes. Noted as "a baking school between the covers." 

*DamGoodSweet: Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth, New Orleans Style
  by David Guas, Raquel Pelzel

I think the title says it all.

*Peter Reinhart's Artisan Breads Every Day
  by Peter Reinhart

The ABC's of making quality artisan breads. 

Winners will be announced May 2-3 so stay tuned! Any predictions?
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4 comments:

  1. ChristineMarch 22, 2010 at 10:52 PM

    The Yountville one isn't too far from SF (near Napa). We should take a day trip some day, once you guys move up here! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Alex WaidleyMarch 22, 2010 at 10:55 PM

    I'm in!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jeffery LiangMarch 22, 2010 at 11:19 PM

    I think I've had the dessert at Redd but I was feeling a bit nauseous after wine tasting so can't remember how good it was.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Alex WaidleyMarch 23, 2010 at 7:12 AM

    Well what kinda help is that Jeffery! JK :)

    ReplyDelete

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