|
| Home |
|
Chef Jacques Torres' Background
Jacques Torres grew up in Bandol, France, and at 15, became an apprentice at La Frangipane, a small pastry shop there. He completed his apprenticeship and graduated first in his class and continued his training in La Cadiere d'Azur. In 1980, he found himself working for the Michelin two-star chef Jacques Maximin at the Hotel Negresco where he refined his skills and nurtured his intuitive sense of confectionery artistry for 8 more years. Eventually he earned the degree of master pastry chef and taught pastry at a local culinary school in Cannes. In 1989, the legendary Sirio Maccioni invited Jacques to work at New York's most famous restaurant, Le Cirque, where he served his dessert recipes and cake recipes to presidents, kings and celebrities. In 1996, Maccioni "closed" Le Cirque and in April of 1997, opened Le Cirque 2000 with a $1,000,000 pastry kitchen built to Jacques' specifications.
Chef Jacques Torres' Accolades
Jacques Torres has received numerous culinary awards and accolades for his artistry. In 1986, Jacques was awarded the prestigious M.O.F. medal at the infamous Meilleur Ouvrier de France competition, the youngest chef to earn the distinction. He was invited to participate in the rededication ceremonies for the Statue of Liberty honoring French President Francois Mitterand and U. S. President Ronald Reagan; he was the winner of the 1986 French Championship of Desserts; and participated in numerous competitions and culinary events in France. He’s been honored as the James Beard Pastry Chef of the Year, Chefs of America Pastry Chef of the Year and Chocolatier Magazine's 10 Best Pastry Chefs.
Chef Jacques Torres' TV Cooking Shows
In January 1998, Jacques starred in his own public television series, Dessert Circus with Jacques Torres. He now has two cooking shows on Food Network, Chocolate with Jacques Torres, where he journey through the U.S. and France and searches for the ultimate chocolate creations, and Passion for Dessert with Jacques Torres, where he shares his own cake recipes and dessert recipes with viewers.
|
|
