Author: kriss harvey

Every pastry chef will eventually be asked to make a copycat version of a common, everyday food favorite. People like to eat foods that they are familiar with. It brings them comfort and let’s face it, if a diner sees something resembling a Snickers or a S’more or any regional favorite on a dessert menu,……...

Many years ago, I worked alongside a kid named Douglas. He was from a small town in Alabama but he made his way out west to be an intern under his former chef instructor from the New England Culinary Institute. We had absolutely nothing in common except proximity. He was a southerner from a deeply……...

I am sort of old school but with the ability to evolve as I constantly attempt to improve my skills and stay relevant. I find myself wanting to make things more simply and focus on flavor intensity and texture versus doing trendy things that push the definition of what is good taste. This shift in……...

I have preached for years that sugar is what makes ice cream and sorbet creamy. But it has its limits too. You just can’t keep adding more sugar to a sorbet or ice cream base to improve the texture. If the base is incorrectly overly sweetened, then it won’t freeze properly. It will be too……...

I hated working at Joel Robuchon. It was one of the worst jobs that I have ever had. It wasn’t Mr. Robuchon’s fault; he likely had no idea about the nonsense that was going on there. The desserts were overly dressed concoctions that were void of any flavor and completely void of any soul. It……...

Years ago, I was sent by an importer of Italian gelato equipment to supervise the installation of a batch freezer in a dairy plant that was owned and operated by a grocery store chain. In this plant, they made sour cream, yogurt and ice cream all under their brand. It was all supervised by federal……...

Even though this frozen meringue isn’t really ice cream, it is a delicious frozen dessert that comes out of your batch freezer or Pacojet. And when you whip out your blow torch to toast it, you will blow the minds of your guests. If you want to let them in on the secret, that is……...

My mom once told me that my signature can only get me in trouble. For the most part, she was correct. I have signed for dinner checks, bought cars, leased expensive apartments, signed for credit card purchases, tax returns and all sorts of things that have cost me large sums of money. But my signature……...

Every chef has taken a job that they weren’t ready for. It is almost part of the script. Finding out that you’re not ready is just part of the deal as you prepare to be a chef. I think it is especially true for pastry chefs. Talented pastry cooks always want it faster than the……...

I hope that I live long enough to fulfill all of my ambitions. It is driven by my desire to travel everywhere and eat the regional foods that intrigue me the most. And after I taste them, my mission is to recreate them and if possible, make them better. Henri Le Roux from Quiberon, is……...