At the recent party introducing the new food service at the new United Airlines Terminal C at Newark Liberty International 
Airport, I bumped into Jacques Torres, fondly referred to as Mr. Chocolate serving some of his chocolate goodies. In addition to his hot chocolate and chocolate pieces, I took one of his chocolate chip cookies, planning to take a bite and then toss it. One nibble and I couldn’t! Yes, they are that irresistible.
If you’d like to try them, either bake them using the recipe provided, or stop by at one of his many NYC Jacques Torres Chocolate locations or order them (or any of his other chocolates) online.
You may recognize Jacques from this shows on the Food Network (Chocolate with Jacques Torres) or PBS (Dessert Circus with Jacques Torres) or from one of his three cookbooks — Dessert Circus: Extraordinary Desserts You Can Make At Home, which earned a 1999 James Beard Award nomination, Dessert Circus At Home or A Year in Chocolate.
After nibbling that cookie, I had to ask him to be BiteoftheBest.com’s Guest Foodie.
– bonnie
Which food product or gadget would you never give up? Chocolate of course! Chocolate pairs with everything, at anytime! In terms of tools I could not give up on my laser thermometer; it is efficient, clean and precise, just what a pastry chef needs in the kitchen.
What do you like to serve when you entertain?
I like to prepare dishes that everybody can share at the table, usually a whole grilled fish. For dessert I love to make a beautiful tart, with strawberries if they are in season, or an apple tatin served warm with vanilla ice cream.
Describe your “last meal?” Romance and chocolate would be my last meal, they pair well together! More seriously I love a grilled John Dory on a bed of fennel, maybe some lamb… and a lot of good wine!
What food is your secret guilty pleasure? My mom’s cooking is something I crave at anytime!
What is your go-to neighborhood restaurant? Soccarrat, for its real and authentic Spanish flavors – the best paella in the city!
What is one food product most people don’t know about, but should? Halva – halva has a consistency close to marzipan but is made out of sesame seeds and sesame paste. It is very sweet and pairs very well with chocolate, fig jam, honey or nuts.
Describe your worst kitchen disaster and how (if possible) you saved it: Tobacco ice cream… and I could not save it! It ended up in the trash because it was simply awful!
Who was your most influential mentor? Gaston Lenotre for the culinary knowledge and Leonardo DaVinci for his vision and imagination.
To follow Jacques Torres on Twitter, click here.
Leave A Comment