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Culinary Institute Lenôtre is less than a week away from hosting its 2017 Lenôtre National Symposium on Pastry Arts at its campus in Houston, Texas. Culinary professionals and students alike will gather to celebrate the pastry arts by sharing their knowledge and ideas leading up to the Institute's 100th graduation in March.
A wide range of professionals in the dessert world will come to network and exchange ideas. The goal is to be able to turn this into an annual event, sort of a cultural center. “We want to make this a place for discussion and networking, for chefs and influencers to meet students and form a community of culinary makers,” says Charlotte Esnou, Development and Communications for Lenôtre.
Keynote speakers at the event include several big names in the industry. Roland Mesnier, who has served as Executive Pastry Chef at the White House for 25 years, will provide some truly extraordinary insights. Joining him will be Charles Carroll, author of Tasting for Success and the past President of the World Association of Chefs Societies; Paul Rubber, founder of Chef Rubber, specialty items for artisans chefs, and cake decorators; and Laurent Vannieuwenhove, Innovation and Nutrition Center Manager for Puratos Corporation.
In addition Marie LeNotre, the director of the Institute, and other celebrity chefs will be on hand to sign their books. The Masters of Ceremony for the event are Katherine Whaley, television anchor for ABC 13 Houston, Cleverley Stone, radio & television host for CBS & Fox 26, and Ernie Manouse, television host at Houston PBS.
One of the big draws for this event will be the ACF Chocolate and Sugar Décor Competition, which is open to both professionals and Lenôtre students. The minimum cash prize for this competition will be $6.4K.
“The day will be geared towards understanding and giving a voice to the people who are part of the baking and pastry community, in our community and beyond,” says Esnou. “Giving them a voice, to talk about the challenges, the opportunities, and the trends of the baking and pastry arts industry.”
The primary day of the symposium, on March 6, is meant to be participated by both professionals and students, although anyone is welcome to attend. March 7 will be a day for just students to learn from these speakers.
Tickets for the Lenôtre National Symposium on Pastry Arts are $85 and are all-inclusive. Admission will be granted to all symposium events plus breakfast, lunch, and dinner reception meals on March 6. Panels will run from 9:00am to 6:30pm CT, with the dinner cocktail reception and awards to follow at 7pm CT. You can still register for the event here.
