News
The Bittersweet History of Chocolate in France: Saturday, Feb. 20 (10-noon)
Partake of a chip of chocolate history as award-winning Master Sugar Artist, Mark Seaman makes a presentation to the Culinary Historians of Chicago on the evolution of the chocolate industry in France. Join this group to savor the story of the oldest chocolate houses in France and of the chocolatiers who indulged the kings of France and Marie-Antoinette (who apparently craved more than cake!). Find out how chocolate goes from bean to bar, understand the differences among milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, and bittersweet chocolate, and learn to decipher current chocolate labeling terms such as single origin, single variety, organic, artisanal, fair trade, and more. Chef Seaman will educate your palate to know the difference between a Hershey bar and a couverture from the shop of a celebrated Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF). Reference materials include an indulgent sampling of chocolates prepared by the French Pastry School of Chicago.
This event will be hosted by Lexington College located at 310 S. Peoria St. in Chicago (two blocks West of Halsted just South of Jackson). Cost of the lecture program is $5, $3 for students and members and NO CHARGE for Lexington Faculty and Students. To reserve your spot, please call Barbara Olson at 708-788-0338 or email your reservation to rsvpchc@yahoo.com.
Steve Dolinsky Chats about Upcoming International Pastry Tour
For the second year in a row, Chicago pastry chef and instructor Mark Seaman is planning an International Pastry Tour through France, May 10-20, 2010. If you have an insatiable appetite for macarons, chocolate and butter, this is the tour for you.
This tour is not just for pastry professionals. Anyone with an interest in French culture, food, or travel is invited to participate.
Listen to Steve’s conversation with Mark on his podcast at http://stevedolinsky.libsyn.com/ today.
Marked for Dessert Opens New Sugar Art Studio in Chicago
Subsequent to the closing of Marked for Dessert’s Cake Boutique in Chicago and the selling of The Neighborhood Bakeshop in Libertyville, many of you have been eagerly awaiting news on Mark’s next location. Wait no more! Marked for Dessert now has a new home in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood.
This new facility, a sugar art studio, provides a work space for Mark to create cake models for an upcoming book, conduct mini classes on cake decorating techniques, and to manage administrative tasks for the International Pastry Tours. Since this is not a bakery facility, there will be no food production in this new space.
A bit about the neighborhood:
Ravenswood is one of Chicago’s first planned neighborhoods, popular for its Victorian and Prairie School homes, brick row houses and wide lots. It is combination of grand old homes in residential areas and industrial warehouses along the railway tracks.
Ravenswood is located from Ravenswood Avenue west to the Chicago River, between Montrose and Bryn Mawr Avenues. The neighborhood’s history began in 1837 when a Swiss immigrant came to Chicago and bought 100 acres of land to farm. The wooded village of Ravenswood was annexed by the city in 1889. Poet Carl Sandburg who was inspired to describe Chicago as the “City of Big Shoulders”, lived in Ravenswood.
Mark remains in the process of settling in to this new space. Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter to stay informed about upcoming classes and events in the new studio.
Mark Seaman Joins Faculty of French Pastry School at City Colleges of Chicago
Mark Seaman will be one of the instructors of L’Art du Gâteau which will begin the end of August. The French Pastry School is now accepting applications to the new program. The full-time 16-week certificate program will focus on the art of cake decorating, baking, constructing and all aspects involving the creation of wedding, celebration, and specialty cakes.
Mark Seaman has joined the faculty of