Practice, practice, practice. Longevity, I guess is the answer. I had been in my field for a while and had a track record. I guess they took that into account and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I just happened to receive this call one day from the Social Secretary — (which) is the name of the person that spearheads the effort of finding new staff at the White House. And you’re asked to come and present a tasting where various people can see what your work is like, and I did and they accepted me.
Would you consider White House Pastry Chef to be the top of the game in the baking world?Yes and no. It’s the top of the game for anybody who loves politics, loves this country, loves democracy. Working there, even though it’s not a political job, is an honor and a privilege. If I didn’t realize it before I started working there, just walking through those gates every morning makes you very patriotic. You realize how many people have suffered and died to keep that house there.
You served two presidents in the White House — Obama and Bush. Was there a noticeable distinction between those two political parties and their snacking habits?
I always say, I think dessert was the one thing they agreed on. There was obviously great differences between the two presidents, but both liked homey, traditionally American desserts. The big change was Mrs. Obama’s asking us (chefs) to help her with the healthy foods initiative. The chefs there are really working for the First Lady as the lady of the house, so we definitely did a huge effort towards introducing a healthier approach to desserts, to food in general, to getting kids to know about and love vegetables, for example.
Do you have a highlight of your career?
Well, there were so many things. I suppose the highlight was a year into (the Obamas at the White House), the First Lady invited about 700 chefs from around the country, and the invitations go out sort of last minute for many reasons, but with two weeks’ notice, every one of those chefs showed up. 700 chefs showed up on the White House lawn — I think this was 2010 — to celebrate this initiative and awareness of eating and awareness of agriculture and healthier living.
Do you have a personal favorite dessert?
There’s way too many for me to say a favorite. When you take great ingredients, when you’re careful with preparing them— you know, there’s some classics that I would always go back to: a freshly-made Napoleon … some puff pastry and vanilla pastry cream … maybe with some fresh berries thrown in … that is a great one.
Do you have a good tip that everyone can use to become a better baker?
You know, I give this tip every time and nobody ever follows it. I’m going to give it again: when you’re baking, make sure you measure your ingredients all out before you start putting them together. BECAUSE: it gives you a chance to focus and get the right ingredients. If you’re starting to throw things in the mix as you go, then, when you go back and look at the recipe, you go, “Did I put the salt in? Was it milk that I put in there?” At least if it’s all portioned out in front of you, you can look at it and double-check it. So that’s my tip: measure things out.
Glass happenings at the Museum
Food is art (and vice versa) when the TMA Ambassadors, the fundraising arm of the Toledo Museum of Art, celebrates the Glass Pavilion’s 10th anniversary with Art in Food. From Oct. 21-30, the ten-day event launches with a canned food drive, and then kicks into high gear with former White House pastry chef Bill Yosses presenting a lecture about White House sweet tooths and the very science of eating. As night settles over the Glass Pavilion, a fashion show, cocktail parties and gourmand dining experiences light up your social calendar. So head out to the Toledo Museum of Art to eat, drink and be merry for Toledo’s artistic livelihood.
For the collector:
Gala Glass Alive! Celebrating A Decade
7-10pm | Saturday | October 22
Fashion, glass and auctions are the focus at the tenth anniversary of the Toledo Museum of Art’s Glass Pavilion. Ten glass works of art cultivated in the museum’s Hot Shop will be up for grabs to the highest bidder. Feeling thrifty? Stress not— you can always enjoy the works of Laura Donefer, the award-winning international glass designer, as she leads the edgy, always sublime Glass Fashion Show.
Black tie optional | Tickets must be purchased in advance
$125/TMA member | $150/non-members
For the family:
Community Birthday Celebration: 10 Years of the Glass Pavilion
Noon-5pm | Sunday | October 23
Every birthday requires a proper party! Featuring food trucks, a screening of Ratatouille and hands-on art activities, the museum is putting on the party hats for art-loving kids and their parents. Of course there will also be birthday cake. Plus there is a wine-and-beer garden (because not everything on the day should be for the kids).
Free
For the thirsty:
Mixed! Bartender Battle
7pm | Thursday | October 27
What? You’ve never had a glass art-inspired cocktail mixed by some of the finest bartenders in Toldeo? This is the event for you. Hosted by Circle 2445, the attendees serve as judges while the libations flow in exciting and innovative new ways. If you miss this awesome event, you’ll be thirsty in more ways than one.
$30/Circle 2445 members | $40/non-members
For the interior-design enthusiast:
Tablescapes
Thursday, October 27 – Sunday, October 30
Table settings are elevated to high art with this innovative expression of design inside the museum itself. Setting tables for two that mirror the paintings on display in the museum. Want to know more than your eyes can tell you about the connection between artful table-craft arrangements and the art itself? Don’t worry, docent-lead tours will be circulating to illuminate the stories behind the pairings at 7pm on Thursday and Friday. (Meet in Libbey Court)
Free
For those who know what “gourmand” means:
Taste of the Arts: Dinner Under Glass
6:30-10pm | Friday | October 28
Museum chef Joe Felix and Curator Jutta Page welcome you to enjoy a five-course gourmet dinner inspired by the museum’s glass collection. As long as it doesn’t taste like glass, you’ll have a grand evening. A sommelier will be on hand to pair savory and sweet wines with each course offered.
Dress is black-tie optional.
Tickets must be purchased in advance.
$200/TMA members | $225/non-members
