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Baking Croissants at La Cuisine Paris
How much more Parisian can you get than baking croissants in Paris? Well, perhaps Discovering the Secrets of Macarons would do it but I think it’s a pretty close race. Having already mastered macarons, I decided it was time to move on to the buttery, golden viennoiseries – pastries. So on a hot, sunny day in May, I made my way to the charming French cooking school, La Cuisine Paris, to attend their ‘Le Croissant and Breakfast Pastries‘ class. Tucked in behind Paris’ stunning Hôtel de Ville – City Hall – on la Rive Droite – the Right Bank – of the Seine, La Cuisine Paris offers a wonderful selection…
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Market Day in Bruges – French Pastries
My final stop in Bruges’ Grote Markt area on this wonderful market day, after picking up some delicious chocolate treats at a local artisan chocolate maker, was the elegant French pâtisserie Aux Merveilleux de Fred. I had been eyeing the stunning crystal chandelier and enticing French pastries in their window since I had arrived. My eyes grew even larger as I entered their beautiful boutique. The chandelier twinkled in the summer sun and those pastries, the fluffy Merveilleux, called my name. At this point I had no idea what a Merveilleux was. All I knew from a sign in the window was that they consisted of meringue and whipped cream…
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Baking Sweet French Classics at the Ritz
After enjoying a light lunch on the patio of the Ritz’s Bar Vendôme, I was kindly guided down the elegant, toile-adorned staircase to the kitchens of the École Ritz Escoffier. I was on my way to attend their ‘Sweet Classics’ baking class. Earlier in the year, as I was planning this trip to Paris, I had discovered that the Hôtel Ritz had just re-opened after an extensive four-year renovation. Always on the look out for new French baking and cooking class opportunities, I began to wonder whether they might not offer some. Happily, a quick look at their website confirmed that indeed they do. So, of course, I had to…
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Croissants and Pâtisseries to Die For
I had just returned home from an amazing month abroad, travelling through France and Belgium, enjoying their wonderful vennoiseries – those tasty, buttery treats such as croissants and brioches. In fact, it was the morning after my return flight and I was craving some of that golden goodness. Lucky for me, I live just a short drive from one of Toronto’s best French pâtisseries – pastry shops – Duo Pâtisserie & Café. So I hopped in the car and paid a visit to fulfill my craving. I had learned about Duo a few months earlier while listening to CBC Radio’s morning show. One of their guests that day had decided…
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Ladurée Has Arrived!
What better way to inaugurate my new blog than with a visit to the new Ladurée pâtisserie in Toronto! If you have ever visited Paris and enjoyed the sweet and savoury pleasures of Maison Ladurée, you, like me, have longed for a location in our fair city. Thankfully, our prayers have been answered! Ladurée opened it’s premier Toronto location last autumn in the prestigious Yorkdale Shopping Centre. I recently had the opportunity to visit this Parisian icon and was greeted by their signature canopy and store front, instantly feeling transported back to the City of Light. I visited on a weekday afternoon, a great time as the shop was quiet and free of…
