What is “Pastry with Purpose”?
Pastry with Purpose is something I’ve been preaching for a while. Our actions should be filled with intent. In pastry and baking, this can mean many things. We all develop our philosophy and thoughts on pastry and we should make sure to follow through with it. Furthermore, we should also be aware of the impact the industry has on our mental and physical health, as well as our planet's environment. Let us not forget to help preserve the integrity of our craft and guide the next generations to thrive.
PHILOSOPHY
Over my 20+ years of working in kitchens, I’ve grown to develop my philosophy on baking and pastry. I absolutely want my pastries to be adored and enjoyed, but I want those pastries to be produced with intent and purpose.
When I’m creating a new dessert or baked good, the flavor is always first, no exception. After the flavor, we must consider the texture of the pastry. Some textures that are considered are soft, creamy, crunchy, crispy, and even hot and cold. These all affect how the dessert is eaten and tastes. Last is the aesthetics, or looks of the pastry. It is very possible that a dessert can look colorful and beautiful, but lack flavor. It's the flavors and mouthfeel that keep people wanting more. It's about the experience, not simply the beauty. Beauty will naturally come when creating a flavorful dessert with great textures.
Furthermore, when considering how a pastry looks, I fully believe it should almost always be natural. Imagine eating one of those pastries you see on Instagram that has a beautiful red mirror glaze and then spending the rest of your day with a bright red tongue and teeth. Using naturally occurring colors and garnishes can be very purposeful. We can be mindful and use fruits and herbs as garnishes if needed. However, a garnish should always be considered for flavor first, not the color it is lending to the dessert. Remember, flavor first.
ENVIRONMENT
Being aware of environmental issues and the growing concern for the health of our planet is no longer a trend, it's an obligation. It is essential for us to take steps to reduce our impact on the environment. Being mindful of our waste and energy consumption can have a great impact on the well-being of our planet. Having a thoughtful and purposeful approach to baking is the responsible choice to make.
INGREDIENTS
Using high-quality ingredients plays a big role in the flavor of the finished pastry. When possible, it's best to use local fruits, vegetables, dairy, and even grains. This helps to support local economies as well as reduce the number of carbon emissions. When using ingredients that cannot be sourced locally, such as vanilla, chocolate, and citrus for example, choose a source or organization that is working to be sustainable and aware of the communities surrounding them.
MINDFULNESS/SELF-CARE/HEALTH
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness in the culinary and hospitality industry of the importance of mental and physical health. Working in the kitchen can be very demanding and take a toll on our well-being. I strongly believe it is very important to be aware and mindful of this. We all should take care of our minds and bodies for ourselves and we have a responsibility to do so for our loved ones.
“Our actions should be filled with intent.”
TEACHING/MENTORING
Sharing knowledge has been and always will be very important to me. I love to teach and mentor. As a Pastry Chef, I have been blessed to have had the guidance and mentorship of previous generations of Pastry Chefs and Bakers who have shared their knowledge and experience. I have become passionate about giving back to the industry and helping future generations of Chefs and Bakers succeed. I love to teach and help build solid foundations of work ethic, technique, and an understanding of flavors. I hope to continue inspiring, mentoring, and guiding anyone along their path to greatness.
I’ll discuss these topics/categories in more detail in future posts. I look forward to the discussions they may bring up.
What will you do to be purposeful?
