Today we’d like to introduce you to Zach Townsend.
Zach’s relationship with superior chocolate began in France with his close friendship with Michel Jambon, founder of the European chocolate company Jeff de Bruges. Through Monsieur Jambon, Zach cultivated his love of truly fine chocolate. He complemented his self studies with courses in baking and chocolate at the Cordon Bleu in Paris, France and most recently at The French Pastry School in Chicago.
Over the last twenty years, Zach has traveled throughout France exploring the foods of its regions and sampling desserts along the way for inspiration. In 2003, Zach opened Pure Chocolate Desserts by Zach (www.purechocolatedessertsbyzach.com). In 2009, he worked in Paris alongside Miyuki Watanabe of Gérard Mulot fame. Zach’s recipes are featured in Rose’s Heavenly Cakes, the 2010 IACP Cookbook of the Year, by Rose Levy Beranbaum, and Flavorful, by baking author Tish Boyle.
Zach has also been an invited, regular contributor to the New York Times microblog on the topic of cake and is a frequent contributing writer to Dessert Professional magazine. Zach’s desserts have been featured on the menus of Dallas restaurants and have been served by request to President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. Zach is also the translator of six cookbooks, including Pierre Hermé Macaron.
Has it been a smooth road?
The biggest challenge for me has been carving my own, nontraditional path in culinary that doesn’t meet people’s expectations when they meet me. Many people expect a chocolatier or a pastry chef to own his own shop or to be working in a restaurant or hotel. Because of my varied interests–covering writing, editing, translating, and teaching as well as developing recipes–I decided to create my own unique business. The challenge of my industry peers has always been their understanding of who I am and where I came from. To some, I am “the chocolate guy.” To others I am the “translator and writer.” What people need to understand is that I am both of these, and more, within the world of culinary.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Dallas Chocolate Classes is about fun and education to help beginning or advanced chocolate enthusiasts to navigate the world of fine chocolate, offering weekday or weekend classes and events for large and small groups or individuals.
In my classes, participants can learn everything about chocolate: from the origins of chocolate; working with chocolate recipes; making sophisticated chocolate ganaches, bonbons and cakes; and how to select the best chocolates available by the world’s best chocolate makers.
My classes and events are not only highly informative, but also offer a unique way for people to come together and interact.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Dallas and its surrounding cities are a great place for a business like mine! There is a large, diverse population, and who doesn’t like chocolate no matter where you come from?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dallaschocolateclasses.com
- Phone: 214-289-5419
- Email: zach@dallaschocolateclasses.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zacharyrtownsend/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zach.townsend.16
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZachTownsend
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dallas-chocolate-classes-carrollton
- Other: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g55588-d8733860-Reviews-Dallas_Chocolate_Classes-Carrollton_Texas.html
Image Credit:
Zach Townsend
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